Kansas City MO 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)
Kansas City, MO
Missouri · Population: 508,233
- Median HH Income$67,449
- Median Home Price$253,319
- Unemployment4.7%
- Bachelor's+37.8%
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
Kansas City
508,233
Kansas City +
Rio Rancho
47,823
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Kansas City
N/A
Rio Rancho
N/A
Median Age
Kansas City
35.7
Kansas City +
Rio Rancho
36.8
Foreign Born
Kansas City
8.5%
Rio Rancho
11.6%
Rio Rancho +
White
Kansas City
57.8%
Rio Rancho
62.2%
Rio Rancho +
Black
Kansas City
25.8%
Kansas City +
Rio Rancho
1.8%
Asian
Kansas City
2.7%
Kansas City +
Rio Rancho
1.6%
Hispanic
Kansas City
12.3%
Rio Rancho
61.1%
Rio Rancho +
Spanish at Home
Kansas City
N/A
Rio Rancho
N/A
| Metric | Kansas City, MO | Rio Rancho, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 508,233 | 47,823 | Kansas City + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.7 | 36.8 | Kansas City + |
| Foreign Born | 8.5% | 11.6% | Rio Rancho + |
| White | 57.8% | 62.2% | Rio Rancho + |
| Black | 25.8% | 1.8% | Kansas City + |
| Asian | 2.7% | 1.6% | Kansas City + |
| Hispanic | 12.3% | 61.1% | Rio Rancho + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Kansas City
$67,449
Kansas City +
Rio Rancho
$50,294
Per Capita Income
Kansas City
$40,112
Kansas City +
Rio Rancho
$28,418
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Kansas City
$58,527
Kansas City +
Rio Rancho
$53,141
Unemployment Rate
Kansas City
4.7%
Kansas City +
Rio Rancho
5.9%
Poverty Rate
Kansas City
14.6%
Kansas City +
Rio Rancho
24.2%
Bachelor's Degree+
Kansas City
37.8%
Kansas City +
Rio Rancho
19.6%
| Metric | Kansas City, MO | Rio Rancho, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $67,449 | $50,294 | Kansas City + |
| Per Capita Income | $40,112 | $28,418 | Kansas City + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,527 | $53,141 | Kansas City + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.7% | 5.9% | Kansas City + |
| Poverty Rate | 14.6% | 24.2% | Kansas City + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 37.8% | 19.6% | Kansas City + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Kansas City
$253,319
Kansas City +
Rio Rancho
$362,476
Homeownership Rate
Kansas City
54.6%
Rio Rancho
66.4%
Rio Rancho +
| Metric | Kansas City, MO | Rio Rancho, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $253,319 | $362,476 | Kansas City + |
| Homeownership Rate | 54.6% | 66.4% | Rio Rancho + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Kansas City
501
Kansas City +
Rio Rancho
834
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Kansas City
2418
Kansas City +
Rio Rancho
3177
| Metric | Kansas City, MO | Rio Rancho, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 501 | 834 | Kansas City + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2418 | 3177 | Kansas City + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Kansas City
38.5%
Rio Rancho
31.9%
Rio Rancho +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Kansas City
12.0%
Rio Rancho
10.6%
Rio Rancho +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Kansas City
18.8%
Rio Rancho
15.4%
Rio Rancho +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Kansas City
10.6%
Kansas City +
Rio Rancho
11.5%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Kansas City
16.7%
Rio Rancho
15.0%
Rio Rancho +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Kansas City
15.6%
Rio Rancho
10.5%
Rio Rancho +
| Metric | Kansas City, MO | Rio Rancho, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 38.5% | 31.9% | Rio Rancho + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.0% | 10.6% | Rio Rancho + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.8% | 15.4% | Rio Rancho + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 10.6% | 11.5% | Kansas City + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.7% | 15.0% | Rio Rancho + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 15.6% | 10.5% | Rio Rancho + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Kansas City
54.6°F
Kansas City +
Rio Rancho
55.7°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Kansas City
38.9 in
Rio Rancho
12.3 in
Rio Rancho +
| Metric | Kansas City, MO | Rio Rancho, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 54.6°F | 55.7°F | Kansas City + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 38.9 in | 12.3 in | Rio Rancho + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Kansas City
9.3 µg/m³
Rio Rancho
6.1 µg/m³
Rio Rancho +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Kansas City
55.0%
Rio Rancho
75.0%
Rio Rancho +
| Metric | Kansas City, MO | Rio Rancho, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.3 µg/m³ | 6.1 µg/m³ | Rio Rancho + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Rio Rancho + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Kansas City
23.4 min
Rio Rancho
19.1 min
Rio Rancho +
| Metric | Kansas City, MO | Rio Rancho, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 23.4 min | 19.1 min | Rio Rancho + |
Which City is Right for You?
Kansas City leads in median household income at $67,449, while kansas City offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $253,319. On public safety, Kansas City is safer with a violent crime rate of 501 per 100,000 residents, compared to 834 in Rio Rancho. Kansas City has a lower unemployment rate at 4.7%, 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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