Indianapolis IN 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)
Indianapolis, IN
Indiana · Population: 882,043
- Median HH Income$62,995
- Median Home Price$232,133
- Unemployment5.2%
- Bachelor's+34.2%
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
Indianapolis
882,043
Indianapolis +
Rio Rancho
47,823
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Indianapolis
N/A
Rio Rancho
N/A
Median Age
Indianapolis
34.1
Indianapolis +
Rio Rancho
36.8
Foreign Born
Indianapolis
11.6%
Indianapolis +
Rio Rancho
11.6%
White
Indianapolis
53.6%
Rio Rancho
62.2%
Rio Rancho +
Black
Indianapolis
28.1%
Indianapolis +
Rio Rancho
1.8%
Asian
Indianapolis
4.1%
Indianapolis +
Rio Rancho
1.6%
Hispanic
Indianapolis
13.3%
Rio Rancho
61.1%
Rio Rancho +
Spanish at Home
Indianapolis
N/A
Rio Rancho
N/A
| Metric | Indianapolis, IN | Rio Rancho, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 882,043 | 47,823 | Indianapolis + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.1 | 36.8 | Indianapolis + |
| Foreign Born | 11.6% | 11.6% | Indianapolis + |
| White | 53.6% | 62.2% | Rio Rancho + |
| Black | 28.1% | 1.8% | Indianapolis + |
| Asian | 4.1% | 1.6% | Indianapolis + |
| Hispanic | 13.3% | 61.1% | Rio Rancho + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Indianapolis
$62,995
Indianapolis +
Rio Rancho
$50,294
Per Capita Income
Indianapolis
$36,194
Indianapolis +
Rio Rancho
$28,418
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Indianapolis
$58,697
Indianapolis +
Rio Rancho
$53,141
Unemployment Rate
Indianapolis
5.2%
Indianapolis +
Rio Rancho
5.9%
Poverty Rate
Indianapolis
15.7%
Indianapolis +
Rio Rancho
24.2%
Bachelor's Degree+
Indianapolis
34.2%
Indianapolis +
Rio Rancho
19.6%
| Metric | Indianapolis, IN | Rio Rancho, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $62,995 | $50,294 | Indianapolis + |
| Per Capita Income | $36,194 | $28,418 | Indianapolis + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,697 | $53,141 | Indianapolis + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.2% | 5.9% | Indianapolis + |
| Poverty Rate | 15.7% | 24.2% | Indianapolis + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 34.2% | 19.6% | Indianapolis + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Indianapolis
$232,133
Indianapolis +
Rio Rancho
$362,476
Homeownership Rate
Indianapolis
55.3%
Rio Rancho
66.4%
Rio Rancho +
| Metric | Indianapolis, IN | Rio Rancho, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $232,133 | $362,476 | Indianapolis + |
| Homeownership Rate | 55.3% | 66.4% | Rio Rancho + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Indianapolis
370
Indianapolis +
Rio Rancho
834
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Indianapolis
1719
Indianapolis +
Rio Rancho
3177
| Metric | Indianapolis, IN | Rio Rancho, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 370 | 834 | Indianapolis + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1719 | 3177 | Indianapolis + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Indianapolis
N/A
Rio Rancho
31.9%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Indianapolis
N/A
Rio Rancho
10.6%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Indianapolis
N/A
Rio Rancho
15.4%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Indianapolis
N/A
Rio Rancho
11.5%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Indianapolis
N/A
Rio Rancho
15.0%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Indianapolis
N/A
Rio Rancho
10.5%
| Metric | Indianapolis, IN | Rio Rancho, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | N/A | 31.9% | - |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | N/A | 10.6% | - |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | N/A | 15.4% | - |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | N/A | 11.5% | - |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | N/A | 15.0% | - |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | N/A | 10.5% | - |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Indianapolis
N/A
Rio Rancho
55.7°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Indianapolis
41.8 in
Rio Rancho
12.3 in
Rio Rancho +
| Metric | Indianapolis, IN | Rio Rancho, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 55.7°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 41.8 in | 12.3 in | Rio Rancho + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Indianapolis
10.1 µg/m³
Rio Rancho
6.1 µg/m³
Rio Rancho +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Indianapolis
55.0%
Rio Rancho
75.0%
Rio Rancho +
| Metric | Indianapolis, IN | Rio Rancho, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 10.1 µg/m³ | 6.1 µg/m³ | Rio Rancho + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Rio Rancho + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Indianapolis
25.8 min
Rio Rancho
19.1 min
Rio Rancho +
| Metric | Indianapolis, IN | Rio Rancho, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 25.8 min | 19.1 min | Rio Rancho + |
Which City is Right for You?
Indianapolis leads in median household income at $62,995, while indianapolis offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $232,133. On public safety, Indianapolis is safer with a violent crime rate of 370 per 100,000 residents, compared to 834 in Rio Rancho. Indianapolis has a lower unemployment rate at 5.2%, and Rio Rancho has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 6.1 µg/m³).
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