Independence MO 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)
Independence, MO
Missouri · Population: 121,944
- Median HH Income$59,480
- Median Home Price$210,384
- Unemployment6.0%
- Bachelor's+20.9%
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
Independence
121,944
Independence +
Rio Rancho
47,823
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Independence
N/A
Rio Rancho
N/A
Median Age
Independence
38.4
Rio Rancho
36.8
Rio Rancho +
Foreign Born
Independence
5.3%
Rio Rancho
11.6%
Rio Rancho +
White
Independence
72.2%
Independence +
Rio Rancho
62.2%
Black
Independence
10.8%
Independence +
Rio Rancho
1.8%
Asian
Independence
1.4%
Rio Rancho
1.6%
Rio Rancho +
Hispanic
Independence
12.4%
Rio Rancho
61.1%
Rio Rancho +
Spanish at Home
Independence
N/A
Rio Rancho
N/A
| Metric | Independence, MO | Rio Rancho, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 121,944 | 47,823 | Independence + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 38.4 | 36.8 | Rio Rancho + |
| Foreign Born | 5.3% | 11.6% | Rio Rancho + |
| White | 72.2% | 62.2% | Independence + |
| Black | 10.8% | 1.8% | Independence + |
| Asian | 1.4% | 1.6% | Rio Rancho + |
| Hispanic | 12.4% | 61.1% | Rio Rancho + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Independence
$59,480
Independence +
Rio Rancho
$50,294
Per Capita Income
Independence
$31,683
Independence +
Rio Rancho
$28,418
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Independence
$58,527
Independence +
Rio Rancho
$53,141
Unemployment Rate
Independence
6.0%
Rio Rancho
5.9%
Rio Rancho +
Poverty Rate
Independence
15.3%
Independence +
Rio Rancho
24.2%
Bachelor's Degree+
Independence
20.9%
Independence +
Rio Rancho
19.6%
| Metric | Independence, MO | Rio Rancho, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $59,480 | $50,294 | Independence + |
| Per Capita Income | $31,683 | $28,418 | Independence + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,527 | $53,141 | Independence + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.0% | 5.9% | Rio Rancho + |
| Poverty Rate | 15.3% | 24.2% | Independence + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 20.9% | 19.6% | Independence + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Independence
$210,384
Independence +
Rio Rancho
$362,476
Homeownership Rate
Independence
61.0%
Rio Rancho
66.4%
Rio Rancho +
| Metric | Independence, MO | Rio Rancho, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $210,384 | $362,476 | Independence + |
| Homeownership Rate | 61.0% | 66.4% | Rio Rancho + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Independence
501
Independence +
Rio Rancho
834
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Independence
2418
Independence +
Rio Rancho
3177
| Metric | Independence, MO | Rio Rancho, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 501 | 834 | Independence + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2418 | 3177 | Independence + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Independence
37.3%
Rio Rancho
31.9%
Rio Rancho +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Independence
12.9%
Rio Rancho
10.6%
Rio Rancho +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Independence
19.9%
Rio Rancho
15.4%
Rio Rancho +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Independence
11.5%
Rio Rancho
11.5%
Tie
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Independence
16.8%
Rio Rancho
15.0%
Rio Rancho +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Independence
18.4%
Rio Rancho
10.5%
Rio Rancho +
| Metric | Independence, MO | Rio Rancho, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 37.3% | 31.9% | Rio Rancho + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.9% | 10.6% | Rio Rancho + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.9% | 15.4% | Rio Rancho + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.5% | 11.5% | Tie |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.8% | 15.0% | Rio Rancho + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 18.4% | 10.5% | Rio Rancho + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Independence
54.5°F
Independence +
Rio Rancho
55.7°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Independence
43.7 in
Rio Rancho
12.3 in
Rio Rancho +
| Metric | Independence, MO | Rio Rancho, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 54.5°F | 55.7°F | Independence + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 43.7 in | 12.3 in | Rio Rancho + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Independence
9.3 µg/m³
Rio Rancho
6.1 µg/m³
Rio Rancho +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Independence
55.0%
Rio Rancho
75.0%
Rio Rancho +
| Metric | Independence, MO | 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
Independence
25.5 min
Rio Rancho
19.1 min
Rio Rancho +
| Metric | Independence, MO | Rio Rancho, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 25.5 min | 19.1 min | Rio Rancho + |
Which City is Right for You?
Independence leads in median household income at $59,480, while independence offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $210,384. On public safety, Independence is safer with a violent crime rate of 501 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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