Huntington Beach CA vs Rio Rancho NM — Cost of Living, Crime & Income Comparison 2026
Updated May 2026 · Source: US Census ACS 5-Year (2023), FBI CDE (2023), BLS OEWS (2024)
Huntington Beach, CA
California · Population: 196,010
- Median HH Income$119,885
- Median Home Price$1,364,265
- Unemployment5.4%
- Bachelor's+47.2%
Rio Rancho, NM
New Mexico · Population: 47,823
- Median HH Income$50,294
- Median Home Price$362,476
- Unemployment5.9%
- Bachelor's+19.6%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Huntington Beach
196,010
Huntington Beach +
Rio Rancho
47,823
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Huntington Beach
N/A
Rio Rancho
N/A
Median Age
Huntington Beach
43.4
Rio Rancho
36.8
Rio Rancho +
Foreign Born
Huntington Beach
16.4%
Huntington Beach +
Rio Rancho
11.6%
White
Huntington Beach
64.3%
Huntington Beach +
Rio Rancho
62.2%
Black
Huntington Beach
1.3%
Rio Rancho
1.8%
Rio Rancho +
Asian
Huntington Beach
12.6%
Huntington Beach +
Rio Rancho
1.6%
Hispanic
Huntington Beach
19.4%
Rio Rancho
61.1%
Rio Rancho +
Spanish at Home
Huntington Beach
N/A
Rio Rancho
N/A
| Metric | Huntington Beach, CA | Rio Rancho, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 196,010 | 47,823 | Huntington Beach + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 43.4 | 36.8 | Rio Rancho + |
| Foreign Born | 16.4% | 11.6% | Huntington Beach + |
| White | 64.3% | 62.2% | Huntington Beach + |
| Black | 1.3% | 1.8% | Rio Rancho + |
| Asian | 12.6% | 1.6% | Huntington Beach + |
| Hispanic | 19.4% | 61.1% | Rio Rancho + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Huntington Beach
$119,885
Huntington Beach +
Rio Rancho
$50,294
Per Capita Income
Huntington Beach
$62,450
Huntington Beach +
Rio Rancho
$28,418
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Huntington Beach
$77,230
Huntington Beach +
Rio Rancho
$53,141
Unemployment Rate
Huntington Beach
5.4%
Huntington Beach +
Rio Rancho
5.9%
Poverty Rate
Huntington Beach
7.4%
Huntington Beach +
Rio Rancho
24.2%
Bachelor's Degree+
Huntington Beach
47.2%
Huntington Beach +
Rio Rancho
19.6%
| Metric | Huntington Beach, CA | Rio Rancho, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $119,885 | $50,294 | Huntington Beach + |
| Per Capita Income | $62,450 | $28,418 | Huntington Beach + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,230 | $53,141 | Huntington Beach + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.4% | 5.9% | Huntington Beach + |
| Poverty Rate | 7.4% | 24.2% | Huntington Beach + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 47.2% | 19.6% | Huntington Beach + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Huntington Beach
$1,364,265
Rio Rancho
$362,476
Rio Rancho +
Homeownership Rate
Huntington Beach
55.8%
Rio Rancho
66.4%
Rio Rancho +
| Metric | Huntington Beach, CA | Rio Rancho, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $1,364,265 | $362,476 | Rio Rancho + |
| Homeownership Rate | 55.8% | 66.4% | Rio Rancho + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Huntington Beach
503
Huntington Beach +
Rio Rancho
834
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Huntington Beach
2388
Huntington Beach +
Rio Rancho
3177
| Metric | Huntington Beach, CA | Rio Rancho, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 503 | 834 | Huntington Beach + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2388 | 3177 | Huntington Beach + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Huntington Beach
24.0%
Huntington Beach +
Rio Rancho
31.9%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Huntington Beach
10.2%
Huntington Beach +
Rio Rancho
10.6%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Huntington Beach
16.2%
Rio Rancho
15.4%
Rio Rancho +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Huntington Beach
6.4%
Huntington Beach +
Rio Rancho
11.5%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Huntington Beach
16.2%
Rio Rancho
15.0%
Rio Rancho +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Huntington Beach
8.9%
Huntington Beach +
Rio Rancho
10.5%
| Metric | Huntington Beach, CA | Rio Rancho, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 24.0% | 31.9% | Huntington Beach + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 10.2% | 10.6% | Huntington Beach + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.2% | 15.4% | Rio Rancho + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 6.4% | 11.5% | Huntington Beach + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.2% | 15.0% | Rio Rancho + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 8.9% | 10.5% | Huntington Beach + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Huntington Beach
N/A
Rio Rancho
55.7°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Huntington Beach
N/A
Rio Rancho
12.3 in
| Metric | Huntington Beach, CA | Rio Rancho, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 55.7°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 12.3 in | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Huntington Beach
7.9 µg/m³
Rio Rancho
6.1 µg/m³
Rio Rancho +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Huntington Beach
75.0%
Rio Rancho
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Huntington Beach, CA | Rio Rancho, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.9 µg/m³ | 6.1 µg/m³ | Rio Rancho + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Huntington Beach
31.2 min
Rio Rancho
19.1 min
Rio Rancho +
| Metric | Huntington Beach, CA | Rio Rancho, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 31.2 min | 19.1 min | Rio Rancho + |
Which City is Right for You?
Huntington Beach leads in median household income at $119,885, while rio Rancho offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $362,476. On public safety, Huntington Beach is safer with a violent crime rate of 503 per 100,000 residents, compared to 834 in Rio Rancho. Huntington Beach has a lower unemployment rate at 5.4%, and Rio Rancho has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 6.1 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Huntington Beach scores better with a lower obesity rate of 24.0%.
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