Killeen TX 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)
Killeen, TX
Texas · Population: 45,598
- Median HH Income$172,654
- Median Home Price$220,846
- Unemployment3.0%
- Bachelor's+60.1%
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
Killeen
45,598
Rio Rancho
47,823
Rio Rancho +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Killeen
N/A
Rio Rancho
N/A
Median Age
Killeen
44.1
Rio Rancho
36.8
Rio Rancho +
Foreign Born
Killeen
11.0%
Rio Rancho
11.6%
Rio Rancho +
White
Killeen
81.5%
Killeen +
Rio Rancho
62.2%
Black
Killeen
2.9%
Killeen +
Rio Rancho
1.8%
Asian
Killeen
6.1%
Killeen +
Rio Rancho
1.6%
Hispanic
Killeen
10.7%
Rio Rancho
61.1%
Rio Rancho +
Spanish at Home
Killeen
N/A
Rio Rancho
N/A
| Metric | Killeen, TX | Rio Rancho, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 45,598 | 47,823 | Rio Rancho + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 44.1 | 36.8 | Rio Rancho + |
| Foreign Born | 11.0% | 11.6% | Rio Rancho + |
| White | 81.5% | 62.2% | Killeen + |
| Black | 2.9% | 1.8% | Killeen + |
| Asian | 6.1% | 1.6% | Killeen + |
| Hispanic | 10.7% | 61.1% | Rio Rancho + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Killeen
$172,654
Killeen +
Rio Rancho
$50,294
Per Capita Income
Killeen
$76,859
Killeen +
Rio Rancho
$28,418
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Killeen
$63,758
Killeen +
Rio Rancho
$53,141
Unemployment Rate
Killeen
3.0%
Killeen +
Rio Rancho
5.9%
Poverty Rate
Killeen
3.2%
Killeen +
Rio Rancho
24.2%
Bachelor's Degree+
Killeen
60.1%
Killeen +
Rio Rancho
19.6%
| Metric | Killeen, TX | Rio Rancho, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $172,654 | $50,294 | Killeen + |
| Per Capita Income | $76,859 | $28,418 | Killeen + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $63,758 | $53,141 | Killeen + |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.0% | 5.9% | Killeen + |
| Poverty Rate | 3.2% | 24.2% | Killeen + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 60.1% | 19.6% | Killeen + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Killeen
$220,846
Killeen +
Rio Rancho
$362,476
Homeownership Rate
Killeen
81.9%
Killeen +
Rio Rancho
66.4%
| Metric | Killeen, TX | Rio Rancho, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $220,846 | $362,476 | Killeen + |
| Homeownership Rate | 81.9% | 66.4% | Killeen + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Killeen
442
Killeen +
Rio Rancho
834
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Killeen
2339
Killeen +
Rio Rancho
3177
| Metric | Killeen, TX | Rio Rancho, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 442 | 834 | Killeen + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2339 | 3177 | Killeen + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Killeen
45.7%
Rio Rancho
31.9%
Rio Rancho +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Killeen
13.0%
Rio Rancho
10.6%
Rio Rancho +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Killeen
20.7%
Rio Rancho
15.4%
Rio Rancho +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Killeen
17.3%
Rio Rancho
11.5%
Rio Rancho +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Killeen
15.0%
Rio Rancho
15.0%
Tie
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Killeen
14.6%
Rio Rancho
10.5%
Rio Rancho +
| Metric | Killeen, TX | Rio Rancho, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 45.7% | 31.9% | Rio Rancho + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.0% | 10.6% | Rio Rancho + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 20.7% | 15.4% | Rio Rancho + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 17.3% | 11.5% | Rio Rancho + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.0% | 15.0% | Tie |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 14.6% | 10.5% | Rio Rancho + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Killeen
66.0°F
Rio Rancho
55.7°F
Rio Rancho +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Killeen
33.1 in
Rio Rancho
12.3 in
Rio Rancho +
| Metric | Killeen, TX | Rio Rancho, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 66.0°F | 55.7°F | Rio Rancho + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 33.1 in | 12.3 in | Rio Rancho + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Killeen
9.2 µg/m³
Rio Rancho
6.1 µg/m³
Rio Rancho +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Killeen
55.0%
Rio Rancho
75.0%
Rio Rancho +
| Metric | Killeen, TX | Rio Rancho, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.2 µg/m³ | 6.1 µg/m³ | Rio Rancho + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Rio Rancho + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Killeen
30.4 min
Rio Rancho
19.1 min
Rio Rancho +
| Metric | Killeen, TX | Rio Rancho, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 30.4 min | 19.1 min | Rio Rancho + |
Which City is Right for You?
Killeen leads in median household income at $172,654, while killeen offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $220,846. On public safety, Killeen is safer with a violent crime rate of 442 per 100,000 residents, compared to 834 in Rio Rancho. Killeen has a lower unemployment rate at 3.0%, 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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