Jackson MS 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)
Jackson, MS
Mississippi · Population: 149,827
- Median HH Income$43,238
- Median Home Price$88,100
- Unemployment9.4%
- Bachelor's+28.6%
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
Jackson
149,827
Jackson +
Rio Rancho
47,823
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Jackson
N/A
Rio Rancho
N/A
Median Age
Jackson
34.7
Jackson +
Rio Rancho
36.8
Foreign Born
Jackson
1.5%
Rio Rancho
11.6%
Rio Rancho +
White
Jackson
14.5%
Rio Rancho
62.2%
Rio Rancho +
Black
Jackson
81.8%
Jackson +
Rio Rancho
1.8%
Asian
Jackson
0.3%
Rio Rancho
1.6%
Rio Rancho +
Hispanic
Jackson
2.2%
Rio Rancho
61.1%
Rio Rancho +
Spanish at Home
Jackson
N/A
Rio Rancho
N/A
| Metric | Jackson, MS | Rio Rancho, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 149,827 | 47,823 | Jackson + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.7 | 36.8 | Jackson + |
| Foreign Born | 1.5% | 11.6% | Rio Rancho + |
| White | 14.5% | 62.2% | Rio Rancho + |
| Black | 81.8% | 1.8% | Jackson + |
| Asian | 0.3% | 1.6% | Rio Rancho + |
| Hispanic | 2.2% | 61.1% | Rio Rancho + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Jackson
$43,238
Rio Rancho
$50,294
Rio Rancho +
Per Capita Income
Jackson
$26,868
Rio Rancho
$28,418
Rio Rancho +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Jackson
$46,995
Rio Rancho
$53,141
Rio Rancho +
Unemployment Rate
Jackson
9.4%
Rio Rancho
5.9%
Rio Rancho +
Poverty Rate
Jackson
26.8%
Rio Rancho
24.2%
Rio Rancho +
Bachelor's Degree+
Jackson
28.6%
Jackson +
Rio Rancho
19.6%
| Metric | Jackson, MS | Rio Rancho, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $43,238 | $50,294 | Rio Rancho + |
| Per Capita Income | $26,868 | $28,418 | Rio Rancho + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $46,995 | $53,141 | Rio Rancho + |
| Unemployment Rate | 9.4% | 5.9% | Rio Rancho + |
| Poverty Rate | 26.8% | 24.2% | Rio Rancho + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 28.6% | 19.6% | Jackson + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Jackson
$88,100
Jackson +
Rio Rancho
$362,476
Homeownership Rate
Jackson
48.6%
Rio Rancho
66.4%
Rio Rancho +
| Metric | Jackson, MS | Rio Rancho, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $88,100 | $362,476 | Jackson + |
| Homeownership Rate | 48.6% | 66.4% | Rio Rancho + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Jackson
247
Jackson +
Rio Rancho
834
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Jackson
1808
Jackson +
Rio Rancho
3177
| Metric | Jackson, MS | Rio Rancho, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 247 | 834 | Jackson + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1808 | 3177 | Jackson + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Jackson
46.0%
Rio Rancho
31.9%
Rio Rancho +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Jackson
18.4%
Rio Rancho
10.6%
Rio Rancho +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Jackson
18.3%
Rio Rancho
15.4%
Rio Rancho +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Jackson
12.8%
Rio Rancho
11.5%
Rio Rancho +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Jackson
11.8%
Jackson +
Rio Rancho
15.0%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Jackson
18.1%
Rio Rancho
10.5%
Rio Rancho +
| Metric | Jackson, MS | Rio Rancho, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 46.0% | 31.9% | Rio Rancho + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 18.4% | 10.6% | Rio Rancho + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.3% | 15.4% | Rio Rancho + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 12.8% | 11.5% | Rio Rancho + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 11.8% | 15.0% | Jackson + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 18.1% | 10.5% | Rio Rancho + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Jackson
64.6°F
Rio Rancho
55.7°F
Rio Rancho +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Jackson
54.1 in
Rio Rancho
12.3 in
Rio Rancho +
| Metric | Jackson, MS | Rio Rancho, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 64.6°F | 55.7°F | Rio Rancho + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 54.1 in | 12.3 in | Rio Rancho + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Jackson
10.0 µg/m³
Rio Rancho
6.1 µg/m³
Rio Rancho +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Jackson
55.0%
Rio Rancho
75.0%
Rio Rancho +
| Metric | Jackson, MS | Rio Rancho, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 10.0 µg/m³ | 6.1 µg/m³ | Rio Rancho + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Rio Rancho + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Jackson
21.9 min
Rio Rancho
19.1 min
Rio Rancho +
| Metric | Jackson, MS | Rio Rancho, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 21.9 min | 19.1 min | Rio Rancho + |
Which City is Right for You?
Rio Rancho leads in median household income at $50,294, while jackson offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $88,100. On public safety, Jackson is safer with a violent crime rate of 247 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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