Las Cruces NM 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)
Las Cruces, NM
New Mexico · Population: 112,612
- Median HH Income$55,176
- Median Home Price$290,963
- Unemployment7.4%
- Bachelor's+37.3%
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
Las Cruces
112,612
Las Cruces +
Rio Rancho
47,823
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Las Cruces
N/A
Rio Rancho
N/A
Median Age
Las Cruces
32.7
Las Cruces +
Rio Rancho
36.8
Foreign Born
Las Cruces
10.1%
Rio Rancho
11.6%
Rio Rancho +
White
Las Cruces
54.1%
Rio Rancho
62.2%
Rio Rancho +
Black
Las Cruces
2.6%
Las Cruces +
Rio Rancho
1.8%
Asian
Las Cruces
1.9%
Las Cruces +
Rio Rancho
1.6%
Hispanic
Las Cruces
59.4%
Rio Rancho
61.1%
Rio Rancho +
Spanish at Home
Las Cruces
N/A
Rio Rancho
N/A
| Metric | Las Cruces, NM | Rio Rancho, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 112,612 | 47,823 | Las Cruces + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 32.7 | 36.8 | Las Cruces + |
| Foreign Born | 10.1% | 11.6% | Rio Rancho + |
| White | 54.1% | 62.2% | Rio Rancho + |
| Black | 2.6% | 1.8% | Las Cruces + |
| Asian | 1.9% | 1.6% | Las Cruces + |
| Hispanic | 59.4% | 61.1% | Rio Rancho + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Las Cruces
$55,176
Las Cruces +
Rio Rancho
$50,294
Per Capita Income
Las Cruces
$30,804
Las Cruces +
Rio Rancho
$28,418
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Las Cruces
$53,141
Rio Rancho
$53,141
Tie
Unemployment Rate
Las Cruces
7.4%
Rio Rancho
5.9%
Rio Rancho +
Poverty Rate
Las Cruces
22.0%
Las Cruces +
Rio Rancho
24.2%
Bachelor's Degree+
Las Cruces
37.3%
Las Cruces +
Rio Rancho
19.6%
| Metric | Las Cruces, NM | Rio Rancho, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $55,176 | $50,294 | Las Cruces + |
| Per Capita Income | $30,804 | $28,418 | Las Cruces + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $53,141 | $53,141 | Tie |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.4% | 5.9% | Rio Rancho + |
| Poverty Rate | 22.0% | 24.2% | Las Cruces + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 37.3% | 19.6% | Las Cruces + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Las Cruces
$290,963
Las Cruces +
Rio Rancho
$362,476
Homeownership Rate
Las Cruces
55.6%
Rio Rancho
66.4%
Rio Rancho +
| Metric | Las Cruces, NM | Rio Rancho, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $290,963 | $362,476 | Las Cruces + |
| Homeownership Rate | 55.6% | 66.4% | Rio Rancho + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Las Cruces
834
Rio Rancho
834
Tie
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Las Cruces
3177
Rio Rancho
3177
Tie
| Metric | Las Cruces, NM | Rio Rancho, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 834 | 834 | Tie |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 3177 | 3177 | Tie |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Las Cruces
35.4%
Rio Rancho
31.9%
Rio Rancho +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Las Cruces
13.0%
Rio Rancho
10.6%
Rio Rancho +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Las Cruces
15.8%
Rio Rancho
15.4%
Rio Rancho +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Las Cruces
17.7%
Rio Rancho
11.5%
Rio Rancho +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Las Cruces
14.9%
Las Cruces +
Rio Rancho
15.0%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Las Cruces
12.1%
Rio Rancho
10.5%
Rio Rancho +
| Metric | Las Cruces, NM | Rio Rancho, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 35.4% | 31.9% | Rio Rancho + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.0% | 10.6% | Rio Rancho + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 15.8% | 15.4% | Rio Rancho + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 17.7% | 11.5% | Rio Rancho + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.9% | 15.0% | Las Cruces + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.1% | 10.5% | Rio Rancho + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Las Cruces
58.8°F
Rio Rancho
55.7°F
Rio Rancho +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Las Cruces
N/A
Rio Rancho
12.3 in
| Metric | Las Cruces, NM | Rio Rancho, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 58.8°F | 55.7°F | Rio Rancho + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 12.3 in | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Las Cruces
6.1 µg/m³
Rio Rancho
6.1 µg/m³
Tie
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Las Cruces
75.0%
Rio Rancho
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Las Cruces, NM | Rio Rancho, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 6.1 µg/m³ | 6.1 µg/m³ | Tie |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Las Cruces
20.5 min
Rio Rancho
19.1 min
Rio Rancho +
| Metric | Las Cruces, NM | Rio Rancho, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 20.5 min | 19.1 min | Rio Rancho + |
Which City is Right for You?
Las Cruces leads in median household income at $55,176, while las Cruces offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $290,963. On public safety, Rio Rancho is safer with a violent crime rate of 834 per 100,000 residents, compared to 834 in Las Cruces. 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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