Huntington WV 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, WV
West Virginia · Population: 46,189
- Median HH Income$43,146
- Median Home Price$138,553
- Unemployment7.6%
- Bachelor's+34.4%
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
46,189
Rio Rancho
47,823
Rio Rancho +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Huntington
N/A
Rio Rancho
N/A
Median Age
Huntington
34.9
Huntington +
Rio Rancho
36.8
Foreign Born
Huntington
1.8%
Rio Rancho
11.6%
Rio Rancho +
White
Huntington
85.0%
Huntington +
Rio Rancho
62.2%
Black
Huntington
6.5%
Huntington +
Rio Rancho
1.8%
Asian
Huntington
1.3%
Rio Rancho
1.6%
Rio Rancho +
Hispanic
Huntington
2.0%
Rio Rancho
61.1%
Rio Rancho +
Spanish at Home
Huntington
N/A
Rio Rancho
N/A
| Metric | Huntington, WV | Rio Rancho, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 46,189 | 47,823 | Rio Rancho + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.9 | 36.8 | Huntington + |
| Foreign Born | 1.8% | 11.6% | Rio Rancho + |
| White | 85.0% | 62.2% | Huntington + |
| Black | 6.5% | 1.8% | Huntington + |
| Asian | 1.3% | 1.6% | Rio Rancho + |
| Hispanic | 2.0% | 61.1% | Rio Rancho + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Huntington
$43,146
Rio Rancho
$50,294
Rio Rancho +
Per Capita Income
Huntington
$30,024
Huntington +
Rio Rancho
$28,418
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Huntington
$50,163
Rio Rancho
$53,141
Rio Rancho +
Unemployment Rate
Huntington
7.6%
Rio Rancho
5.9%
Rio Rancho +
Poverty Rate
Huntington
27.4%
Rio Rancho
24.2%
Rio Rancho +
Bachelor's Degree+
Huntington
34.4%
Huntington +
Rio Rancho
19.6%
| Metric | Huntington, WV | Rio Rancho, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $43,146 | $50,294 | Rio Rancho + |
| Per Capita Income | $30,024 | $28,418 | Huntington + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $50,163 | $53,141 | Rio Rancho + |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.6% | 5.9% | Rio Rancho + |
| Poverty Rate | 27.4% | 24.2% | Rio Rancho + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 34.4% | 19.6% | Huntington + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Huntington
$138,553
Huntington +
Rio Rancho
$362,476
Homeownership Rate
Huntington
52.5%
Rio Rancho
66.4%
Rio Rancho +
| Metric | Huntington, WV | Rio Rancho, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $138,553 | $362,476 | Huntington + |
| Homeownership Rate | 52.5% | 66.4% | Rio Rancho + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Huntington
398
Huntington +
Rio Rancho
834
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Huntington
1999
Huntington +
Rio Rancho
3177
| Metric | Huntington, WV | Rio Rancho, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 398 | 834 | Huntington + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1999 | 3177 | Huntington + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Huntington
46.4%
Rio Rancho
31.9%
Rio Rancho +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Huntington
15.7%
Rio Rancho
10.6%
Rio Rancho +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Huntington
24.0%
Rio Rancho
15.4%
Rio Rancho +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Huntington
9.7%
Huntington +
Rio Rancho
11.5%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Huntington
13.7%
Huntington +
Rio Rancho
15.0%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Huntington
20.6%
Rio Rancho
10.5%
Rio Rancho +
| Metric | Huntington, WV | Rio Rancho, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 46.4% | 31.9% | Rio Rancho + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 15.7% | 10.6% | Rio Rancho + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 24.0% | 15.4% | Rio Rancho + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.7% | 11.5% | Huntington + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 13.7% | 15.0% | Huntington + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 20.6% | 10.5% | Rio Rancho + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Huntington
56.1°F
Rio Rancho
55.7°F
Rio Rancho +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Huntington
43.1 in
Rio Rancho
12.3 in
Rio Rancho +
| Metric | Huntington, WV | Rio Rancho, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 56.1°F | 55.7°F | Rio Rancho + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 43.1 in | 12.3 in | Rio Rancho + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Huntington
9.3 µg/m³
Rio Rancho
6.1 µg/m³
Rio Rancho +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Huntington
55.0%
Rio Rancho
75.0%
Rio Rancho +
| Metric | Huntington, WV | Rio Rancho, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.3 µg/m³ | 6.1 µg/m³ | Rio Rancho + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Rio Rancho + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Huntington
20.2 min
Rio Rancho
19.1 min
Rio Rancho +
| Metric | Huntington, WV | Rio Rancho, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 20.2 min | 19.1 min | Rio Rancho + |
Which City is Right for You?
Rio Rancho leads in median household income at $50,294, while huntington offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $138,553. On public safety, Huntington is safer with a violent crime rate of 398 per 100,000 residents, compared to 834 in Rio Rancho. Rio Rancho has a lower unemployment rate at 5.9%, and Rio Rancho has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 6.1 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Rio Rancho scores better with a lower obesity rate of 31.9%.
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