Jacksonville FL 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)
Jacksonville, FL
Florida · Population: 961,739
- Median HH Income$66,981
- Median Home Price$286,396
- Unemployment4.6%
- Bachelor's+31.9%
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
Jacksonville
961,739
Jacksonville +
Rio Rancho
47,823
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Jacksonville
N/A
Rio Rancho
N/A
Median Age
Jacksonville
36.4
Jacksonville +
Rio Rancho
36.8
Foreign Born
Jacksonville
12.2%
Jacksonville +
Rio Rancho
11.6%
White
Jacksonville
51.2%
Rio Rancho
62.2%
Rio Rancho +
Black
Jacksonville
30.1%
Jacksonville +
Rio Rancho
1.8%
Asian
Jacksonville
4.9%
Jacksonville +
Rio Rancho
1.6%
Hispanic
Jacksonville
12.0%
Rio Rancho
61.1%
Rio Rancho +
Spanish at Home
Jacksonville
N/A
Rio Rancho
N/A
| Metric | Jacksonville, FL | Rio Rancho, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 961,739 | 47,823 | Jacksonville + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.4 | 36.8 | Jacksonville + |
| Foreign Born | 12.2% | 11.6% | Jacksonville + |
| White | 51.2% | 62.2% | Rio Rancho + |
| Black | 30.1% | 1.8% | Jacksonville + |
| Asian | 4.9% | 1.6% | Jacksonville + |
| Hispanic | 12.0% | 61.1% | Rio Rancho + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Jacksonville
$66,981
Jacksonville +
Rio Rancho
$50,294
Per Capita Income
Jacksonville
$37,269
Jacksonville +
Rio Rancho
$28,418
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Jacksonville
$65,328
Jacksonville +
Rio Rancho
$53,141
Unemployment Rate
Jacksonville
4.6%
Jacksonville +
Rio Rancho
5.9%
Poverty Rate
Jacksonville
15.0%
Jacksonville +
Rio Rancho
24.2%
Bachelor's Degree+
Jacksonville
31.9%
Jacksonville +
Rio Rancho
19.6%
| Metric | Jacksonville, FL | Rio Rancho, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $66,981 | $50,294 | Jacksonville + |
| Per Capita Income | $37,269 | $28,418 | Jacksonville + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $65,328 | $53,141 | Jacksonville + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.6% | 5.9% | Jacksonville + |
| Poverty Rate | 15.0% | 24.2% | Jacksonville + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 31.9% | 19.6% | Jacksonville + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Jacksonville
$286,396
Jacksonville +
Rio Rancho
$362,476
Homeownership Rate
Jacksonville
57.4%
Rio Rancho
66.4%
Rio Rancho +
| Metric | Jacksonville, FL | Rio Rancho, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $286,396 | $362,476 | Jacksonville + |
| Homeownership Rate | 57.4% | 66.4% | Rio Rancho + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Jacksonville
324
Jacksonville +
Rio Rancho
834
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Jacksonville
1453
Jacksonville +
Rio Rancho
3177
| Metric | Jacksonville, FL | Rio Rancho, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 324 | 834 | Jacksonville + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1453 | 3177 | Jacksonville + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Jacksonville
34.8%
Rio Rancho
31.9%
Rio Rancho +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Jacksonville
13.2%
Rio Rancho
10.6%
Rio Rancho +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Jacksonville
18.8%
Rio Rancho
15.4%
Rio Rancho +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Jacksonville
13.9%
Rio Rancho
11.5%
Rio Rancho +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Jacksonville
15.2%
Rio Rancho
15.0%
Rio Rancho +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Jacksonville
14.8%
Rio Rancho
10.5%
Rio Rancho +
| Metric | Jacksonville, FL | Rio Rancho, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 34.8% | 31.9% | Rio Rancho + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.2% | 10.6% | Rio Rancho + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.8% | 15.4% | Rio Rancho + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 13.9% | 11.5% | Rio Rancho + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.2% | 15.0% | Rio Rancho + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 14.8% | 10.5% | Rio Rancho + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Jacksonville
70.2°F
Rio Rancho
55.7°F
Rio Rancho +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Jacksonville
50.0 in
Rio Rancho
12.3 in
Rio Rancho +
| Metric | Jacksonville, FL | Rio Rancho, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 70.2°F | 55.7°F | Rio Rancho + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 50.0 in | 12.3 in | Rio Rancho + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Jacksonville
7.2 µg/m³
Rio Rancho
6.1 µg/m³
Rio Rancho +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Jacksonville
75.0%
Rio Rancho
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Jacksonville, FL | Rio Rancho, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.2 µg/m³ | 6.1 µg/m³ | Rio Rancho + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Jacksonville
26.0 min
Rio Rancho
19.1 min
Rio Rancho +
| Metric | Jacksonville, FL | Rio Rancho, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 26.0 min | 19.1 min | Rio Rancho + |
Which City is Right for You?
Jacksonville leads in median household income at $66,981, while jacksonville offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $286,396. On public safety, Jacksonville is safer with a violent crime rate of 324 per 100,000 residents, compared to 834 in Rio Rancho. Jacksonville has a lower unemployment rate at 4.6%, 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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