Irvine 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)
Irvine, CA
California · Population: 308,160
- Median HH Income$129,647
- Median Home Price$1,566,872
- Unemployment5.5%
- Bachelor's+70.6%
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
Irvine
308,160
Irvine +
Rio Rancho
47,823
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Irvine
N/A
Rio Rancho
N/A
Median Age
Irvine
33.9
Irvine +
Rio Rancho
36.8
Foreign Born
Irvine
39.3%
Irvine +
Rio Rancho
11.6%
White
Irvine
38.7%
Rio Rancho
62.2%
Rio Rancho +
Black
Irvine
2.0%
Irvine +
Rio Rancho
1.8%
Asian
Irvine
44.1%
Irvine +
Rio Rancho
1.6%
Hispanic
Irvine
11.3%
Rio Rancho
61.1%
Rio Rancho +
Spanish at Home
Irvine
N/A
Rio Rancho
N/A
| Metric | Irvine, CA | Rio Rancho, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 308,160 | 47,823 | Irvine + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 33.9 | 36.8 | Irvine + |
| Foreign Born | 39.3% | 11.6% | Irvine + |
| White | 38.7% | 62.2% | Rio Rancho + |
| Black | 2.0% | 1.8% | Irvine + |
| Asian | 44.1% | 1.6% | Irvine + |
| Hispanic | 11.3% | 61.1% | Rio Rancho + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Irvine
$129,647
Irvine +
Rio Rancho
$50,294
Per Capita Income
Irvine
$62,149
Irvine +
Rio Rancho
$28,418
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Irvine
$77,230
Irvine +
Rio Rancho
$53,141
Unemployment Rate
Irvine
5.5%
Irvine +
Rio Rancho
5.9%
Poverty Rate
Irvine
11.7%
Irvine +
Rio Rancho
24.2%
Bachelor's Degree+
Irvine
70.6%
Irvine +
Rio Rancho
19.6%
| Metric | Irvine, CA | Rio Rancho, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $129,647 | $50,294 | Irvine + |
| Per Capita Income | $62,149 | $28,418 | Irvine + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,230 | $53,141 | Irvine + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.5% | 5.9% | Irvine + |
| Poverty Rate | 11.7% | 24.2% | Irvine + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 70.6% | 19.6% | Irvine + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Irvine
$1,566,872
Rio Rancho
$362,476
Rio Rancho +
Homeownership Rate
Irvine
43.8%
Rio Rancho
66.4%
Rio Rancho +
| Metric | Irvine, CA | Rio Rancho, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $1,566,872 | $362,476 | Rio Rancho + |
| Homeownership Rate | 43.8% | 66.4% | Rio Rancho + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Irvine
503
Irvine +
Rio Rancho
834
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Irvine
2388
Irvine +
Rio Rancho
3177
| Metric | Irvine, CA | Rio Rancho, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 503 | 834 | Irvine + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2388 | 3177 | Irvine + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Irvine
19.2%
Irvine +
Rio Rancho
31.9%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Irvine
8.3%
Irvine +
Rio Rancho
10.6%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Irvine
15.4%
Rio Rancho
15.4%
Tie
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Irvine
5.0%
Irvine +
Rio Rancho
11.5%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Irvine
15.2%
Rio Rancho
15.0%
Rio Rancho +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Irvine
6.9%
Irvine +
Rio Rancho
10.5%
| Metric | Irvine, CA | Rio Rancho, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 19.2% | 31.9% | Irvine + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 8.3% | 10.6% | Irvine + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 15.4% | 15.4% | Tie |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 5.0% | 11.5% | Irvine + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.2% | 15.0% | Rio Rancho + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 6.9% | 10.5% | Irvine + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Irvine
65.3°F
Rio Rancho
55.7°F
Rio Rancho +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Irvine
14.3 in
Rio Rancho
12.3 in
Rio Rancho +
| Metric | Irvine, CA | Rio Rancho, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 65.3°F | 55.7°F | Rio Rancho + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 14.3 in | 12.3 in | Rio Rancho + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Irvine
7.9 µg/m³
Rio Rancho
6.1 µg/m³
Rio Rancho +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Irvine
75.0%
Rio Rancho
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Irvine, 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
Irvine
26.0 min
Rio Rancho
19.1 min
Rio Rancho +
| Metric | Irvine, CA | Rio Rancho, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 26.0 min | 19.1 min | Rio Rancho + |
Which City is Right for You?
Irvine leads in median household income at $129,647, while rio Rancho offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $362,476. On public safety, Irvine is safer with a violent crime rate of 503 per 100,000 residents, compared to 834 in Rio Rancho. Irvine has a lower unemployment rate at 5.5%, and Rio Rancho has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 6.1 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Irvine scores better with a lower obesity rate of 19.2%.
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