Johnson City TN 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)
Johnson City, TN
Tennessee · Population: 71,455
- Median HH Income$55,429
- Median Home Price$294,254
- Unemployment5.9%
- Bachelor's+41.8%
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
Johnson City
71,455
Johnson City +
Rio Rancho
47,823
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Johnson City
N/A
Rio Rancho
N/A
Median Age
Johnson City
35.1
Johnson City +
Rio Rancho
36.8
Foreign Born
Johnson City
4.6%
Rio Rancho
11.6%
Rio Rancho +
White
Johnson City
84.0%
Johnson City +
Rio Rancho
62.2%
Black
Johnson City
6.3%
Johnson City +
Rio Rancho
1.8%
Asian
Johnson City
2.0%
Johnson City +
Rio Rancho
1.6%
Hispanic
Johnson City
5.6%
Rio Rancho
61.1%
Rio Rancho +
Spanish at Home
Johnson City
N/A
Rio Rancho
N/A
| Metric | Johnson City, TN | Rio Rancho, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 71,455 | 47,823 | Johnson City + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.1 | 36.8 | Johnson City + |
| Foreign Born | 4.6% | 11.6% | Rio Rancho + |
| White | 84.0% | 62.2% | Johnson City + |
| Black | 6.3% | 1.8% | Johnson City + |
| Asian | 2.0% | 1.6% | Johnson City + |
| Hispanic | 5.6% | 61.1% | Rio Rancho + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Johnson City
$55,429
Johnson City +
Rio Rancho
$50,294
Per Capita Income
Johnson City
$36,451
Johnson City +
Rio Rancho
$28,418
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Johnson City
$59,097
Johnson City +
Rio Rancho
$53,141
Unemployment Rate
Johnson City
5.9%
Rio Rancho
5.9%
Rio Rancho +
Poverty Rate
Johnson City
21.1%
Johnson City +
Rio Rancho
24.2%
Bachelor's Degree+
Johnson City
41.8%
Johnson City +
Rio Rancho
19.6%
| Metric | Johnson City, TN | Rio Rancho, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $55,429 | $50,294 | Johnson City + |
| Per Capita Income | $36,451 | $28,418 | Johnson City + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $59,097 | $53,141 | Johnson City + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.9% | 5.9% | Rio Rancho + |
| Poverty Rate | 21.1% | 24.2% | Johnson City + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 41.8% | 19.6% | Johnson City + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Johnson City
$294,254
Johnson City +
Rio Rancho
$362,476
Homeownership Rate
Johnson City
49.8%
Rio Rancho
66.4%
Rio Rancho +
| Metric | Johnson City, TN | Rio Rancho, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $294,254 | $362,476 | Johnson City + |
| Homeownership Rate | 49.8% | 66.4% | Rio Rancho + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Johnson City
639
Johnson City +
Rio Rancho
834
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Johnson City
2350
Johnson City +
Rio Rancho
3177
| Metric | Johnson City, TN | Rio Rancho, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 639 | 834 | Johnson City + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2350 | 3177 | Johnson City + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Johnson City
36.2%
Rio Rancho
31.9%
Rio Rancho +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Johnson City
12.7%
Rio Rancho
10.6%
Rio Rancho +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Johnson City
21.1%
Rio Rancho
15.4%
Rio Rancho +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Johnson City
11.9%
Rio Rancho
11.5%
Rio Rancho +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Johnson City
15.3%
Rio Rancho
15.0%
Rio Rancho +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Johnson City
17.4%
Rio Rancho
10.5%
Rio Rancho +
| Metric | Johnson City, TN | Rio Rancho, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 36.2% | 31.9% | Rio Rancho + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.7% | 10.6% | Rio Rancho + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 21.1% | 15.4% | Rio Rancho + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.9% | 11.5% | Rio Rancho + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.3% | 15.0% | Rio Rancho + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 17.4% | 10.5% | Rio Rancho + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Johnson City
N/A
Rio Rancho
55.7°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Johnson City
N/A
Rio Rancho
12.3 in
| Metric | Johnson City, TN | Rio Rancho, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 55.7°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 12.3 in | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Johnson City
8.9 µg/m³
Rio Rancho
6.1 µg/m³
Rio Rancho +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Johnson City
75.0%
Rio Rancho
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Johnson City, TN | Rio Rancho, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.9 µg/m³ | 6.1 µg/m³ | Rio Rancho + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Johnson City
20.3 min
Rio Rancho
19.1 min
Rio Rancho +
| Metric | Johnson City, TN | Rio Rancho, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 20.3 min | 19.1 min | Rio Rancho + |
Which City is Right for You?
Johnson City leads in median household income at $55,429, while johnson City offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $294,254. On public safety, Johnson City is safer with a violent crime rate of 639 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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