Kirkland WA 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)
Kirkland, WA
Washington · Population: 57,088
- Median HH Income$87,277
- Median Home Price$1,274,801
- Unemployment5.1%
- Bachelor's+32.2%
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
Kirkland
57,088
Kirkland +
Rio Rancho
47,823
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Kirkland
N/A
Rio Rancho
N/A
Median Age
Kirkland
37.7
Rio Rancho
36.8
Rio Rancho +
Foreign Born
Kirkland
12.4%
Kirkland +
Rio Rancho
11.6%
White
Kirkland
66.8%
Kirkland +
Rio Rancho
62.2%
Black
Kirkland
6.1%
Kirkland +
Rio Rancho
1.8%
Asian
Kirkland
10.0%
Kirkland +
Rio Rancho
1.6%
Hispanic
Kirkland
12.7%
Rio Rancho
61.1%
Rio Rancho +
Spanish at Home
Kirkland
N/A
Rio Rancho
N/A
| Metric | Kirkland, WA | Rio Rancho, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 57,088 | 47,823 | Kirkland + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 37.7 | 36.8 | Rio Rancho + |
| Foreign Born | 12.4% | 11.6% | Kirkland + |
| White | 66.8% | 62.2% | Kirkland + |
| Black | 6.1% | 1.8% | Kirkland + |
| Asian | 10.0% | 1.6% | Kirkland + |
| Hispanic | 12.7% | 61.1% | Rio Rancho + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Kirkland
$87,277
Kirkland +
Rio Rancho
$50,294
Per Capita Income
Kirkland
$41,024
Kirkland +
Rio Rancho
$28,418
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Kirkland
$76,120
Kirkland +
Rio Rancho
$53,141
Unemployment Rate
Kirkland
5.1%
Kirkland +
Rio Rancho
5.9%
Poverty Rate
Kirkland
11.0%
Kirkland +
Rio Rancho
24.2%
Bachelor's Degree+
Kirkland
32.2%
Kirkland +
Rio Rancho
19.6%
| Metric | Kirkland, WA | Rio Rancho, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $87,277 | $50,294 | Kirkland + |
| Per Capita Income | $41,024 | $28,418 | Kirkland + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $76,120 | $53,141 | Kirkland + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.1% | 5.9% | Kirkland + |
| Poverty Rate | 11.0% | 24.2% | Kirkland + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 32.2% | 19.6% | Kirkland + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Kirkland
$1,274,801
Rio Rancho
$362,476
Rio Rancho +
Homeownership Rate
Kirkland
57.2%
Rio Rancho
66.4%
Rio Rancho +
| Metric | Kirkland, WA | Rio Rancho, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $1,274,801 | $362,476 | Rio Rancho + |
| Homeownership Rate | 57.2% | 66.4% | Rio Rancho + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Kirkland
383
Kirkland +
Rio Rancho
834
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Kirkland
3409
Rio Rancho
3177
Rio Rancho +
| Metric | Kirkland, WA | Rio Rancho, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 383 | 834 | Kirkland + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 3409 | 3177 | Rio Rancho + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Kirkland
21.8%
Kirkland +
Rio Rancho
31.9%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Kirkland
6.4%
Kirkland +
Rio Rancho
10.6%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Kirkland
14.2%
Kirkland +
Rio Rancho
15.4%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Kirkland
5.3%
Kirkland +
Rio Rancho
11.5%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Kirkland
18.1%
Rio Rancho
15.0%
Rio Rancho +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Kirkland
6.3%
Kirkland +
Rio Rancho
10.5%
| Metric | Kirkland, WA | Rio Rancho, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 21.8% | 31.9% | Kirkland + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 6.4% | 10.6% | Kirkland + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 14.2% | 15.4% | Kirkland + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 5.3% | 11.5% | Kirkland + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 18.1% | 15.0% | Rio Rancho + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 6.3% | 10.5% | Kirkland + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Kirkland
N/A
Rio Rancho
55.7°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Kirkland
N/A
Rio Rancho
12.3 in
| Metric | Kirkland, WA | 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.)
Kirkland
7.5 µg/m³
Rio Rancho
6.1 µg/m³
Rio Rancho +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Kirkland
75.0%
Rio Rancho
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Kirkland, WA | Rio Rancho, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.5 µg/m³ | 6.1 µg/m³ | Rio Rancho + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Kirkland
28.2 min
Rio Rancho
19.1 min
Rio Rancho +
| Metric | Kirkland, WA | Rio Rancho, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 28.2 min | 19.1 min | Rio Rancho + |
Which City is Right for You?
Kirkland leads in median household income at $87,277, while rio Rancho offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $362,476. On public safety, Kirkland is safer with a violent crime rate of 383 per 100,000 residents, compared to 834 in Rio Rancho. Kirkland has a lower unemployment rate at 5.1%, and Rio Rancho has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 6.1 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Kirkland scores better with a lower obesity rate of 21.8%.
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