Lancaster CA 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)
Lancaster, CA
California · Population: 170,013
- Median HH Income$76,083
- Median Home Price$466,147
- Unemployment7.1%
- Bachelor's+20.1%
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
Lancaster
170,013
Lancaster +
Rio Rancho
47,823
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Lancaster
N/A
Rio Rancho
N/A
Median Age
Lancaster
34.2
Lancaster +
Rio Rancho
36.8
Foreign Born
Lancaster
13.9%
Lancaster +
Rio Rancho
11.6%
White
Lancaster
35.5%
Rio Rancho
62.2%
Rio Rancho +
Black
Lancaster
21.4%
Lancaster +
Rio Rancho
1.8%
Asian
Lancaster
4.0%
Lancaster +
Rio Rancho
1.6%
Hispanic
Lancaster
45.9%
Rio Rancho
61.1%
Rio Rancho +
Spanish at Home
Lancaster
N/A
Rio Rancho
N/A
| Metric | Lancaster, CA | Rio Rancho, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 170,013 | 47,823 | Lancaster + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.2 | 36.8 | Lancaster + |
| Foreign Born | 13.9% | 11.6% | Lancaster + |
| White | 35.5% | 62.2% | Rio Rancho + |
| Black | 21.4% | 1.8% | Lancaster + |
| Asian | 4.0% | 1.6% | Lancaster + |
| Hispanic | 45.9% | 61.1% | Rio Rancho + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Lancaster
$76,083
Lancaster +
Rio Rancho
$50,294
Per Capita Income
Lancaster
$29,766
Lancaster +
Rio Rancho
$28,418
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Lancaster
$77,230
Lancaster +
Rio Rancho
$53,141
Unemployment Rate
Lancaster
7.1%
Rio Rancho
5.9%
Rio Rancho +
Poverty Rate
Lancaster
15.5%
Lancaster +
Rio Rancho
24.2%
Bachelor's Degree+
Lancaster
20.1%
Lancaster +
Rio Rancho
19.6%
| Metric | Lancaster, CA | Rio Rancho, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $76,083 | $50,294 | Lancaster + |
| Per Capita Income | $29,766 | $28,418 | Lancaster + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,230 | $53,141 | Lancaster + |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.1% | 5.9% | Rio Rancho + |
| Poverty Rate | 15.5% | 24.2% | Lancaster + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 20.1% | 19.6% | Lancaster + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Lancaster
$466,147
Rio Rancho
$362,476
Rio Rancho +
Homeownership Rate
Lancaster
58.4%
Rio Rancho
66.4%
Rio Rancho +
| Metric | Lancaster, CA | Rio Rancho, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $466,147 | $362,476 | Rio Rancho + |
| Homeownership Rate | 58.4% | 66.4% | Rio Rancho + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Lancaster
503
Lancaster +
Rio Rancho
834
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Lancaster
2388
Lancaster +
Rio Rancho
3177
| Metric | Lancaster, CA | Rio Rancho, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 503 | 834 | Lancaster + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2388 | 3177 | Lancaster + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Lancaster
30.6%
Lancaster +
Rio Rancho
31.9%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Lancaster
12.6%
Rio Rancho
10.6%
Rio Rancho +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Lancaster
19.3%
Rio Rancho
15.4%
Rio Rancho +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Lancaster
12.9%
Rio Rancho
11.5%
Rio Rancho +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Lancaster
15.8%
Rio Rancho
15.0%
Rio Rancho +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Lancaster
14.0%
Rio Rancho
10.5%
Rio Rancho +
| Metric | Lancaster, CA | Rio Rancho, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 30.6% | 31.9% | Lancaster + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.6% | 10.6% | Rio Rancho + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.3% | 15.4% | Rio Rancho + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 12.9% | 11.5% | Rio Rancho + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.8% | 15.0% | Rio Rancho + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 14.0% | 10.5% | Rio Rancho + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Lancaster
62.1°F
Rio Rancho
55.7°F
Rio Rancho +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Lancaster
7.4 in
Lancaster +
Rio Rancho
12.3 in
| Metric | Lancaster, CA | Rio Rancho, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 62.1°F | 55.7°F | Rio Rancho + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 7.4 in | 12.3 in | Lancaster + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Lancaster
7.9 µg/m³
Rio Rancho
6.1 µg/m³
Rio Rancho +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Lancaster
75.0%
Rio Rancho
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Lancaster, CA | Rio Rancho, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.9 µg/m³ | 6.1 µg/m³ | Rio Rancho + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Lancaster
33.0 min
Rio Rancho
19.1 min
Rio Rancho +
| Metric | Lancaster, CA | Rio Rancho, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 33.0 min | 19.1 min | Rio Rancho + |
Which City is Right for You?
Lancaster leads in median household income at $76,083, while rio Rancho offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $362,476. On public safety, Lancaster is safer with a violent crime rate of 503 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, Lancaster scores better with a lower obesity rate of 30.6%.
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