Las Vegas NV 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 Vegas, NV
Nevada · Population: 650,873
- Median HH Income$70,723
- Median Home Price$426,069
- Unemployment7.2%
- Bachelor's+27.3%
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 Vegas
650,873
Las Vegas +
Rio Rancho
47,823
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Las Vegas
N/A
Rio Rancho
N/A
Median Age
Las Vegas
38.5
Rio Rancho
36.8
Rio Rancho +
Foreign Born
Las Vegas
20.9%
Las Vegas +
Rio Rancho
11.6%
White
Las Vegas
49.2%
Rio Rancho
62.2%
Rio Rancho +
Black
Las Vegas
11.9%
Las Vegas +
Rio Rancho
1.8%
Asian
Las Vegas
6.9%
Las Vegas +
Rio Rancho
1.6%
Hispanic
Las Vegas
34.1%
Rio Rancho
61.1%
Rio Rancho +
Spanish at Home
Las Vegas
N/A
Rio Rancho
N/A
| Metric | Las Vegas, NV | Rio Rancho, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 650,873 | 47,823 | Las Vegas + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 38.5 | 36.8 | Rio Rancho + |
| Foreign Born | 20.9% | 11.6% | Las Vegas + |
| White | 49.2% | 62.2% | Rio Rancho + |
| Black | 11.9% | 1.8% | Las Vegas + |
| Asian | 6.9% | 1.6% | Las Vegas + |
| Hispanic | 34.1% | 61.1% | Rio Rancho + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Las Vegas
$70,723
Las Vegas +
Rio Rancho
$50,294
Per Capita Income
Las Vegas
$38,421
Las Vegas +
Rio Rancho
$28,418
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Las Vegas
$62,696
Las Vegas +
Rio Rancho
$53,141
Unemployment Rate
Las Vegas
7.2%
Rio Rancho
5.9%
Rio Rancho +
Poverty Rate
Las Vegas
14.2%
Las Vegas +
Rio Rancho
24.2%
Bachelor's Degree+
Las Vegas
27.3%
Las Vegas +
Rio Rancho
19.6%
| Metric | Las Vegas, NV | Rio Rancho, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $70,723 | $50,294 | Las Vegas + |
| Per Capita Income | $38,421 | $28,418 | Las Vegas + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $62,696 | $53,141 | Las Vegas + |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.2% | 5.9% | Rio Rancho + |
| Poverty Rate | 14.2% | 24.2% | Las Vegas + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 27.3% | 19.6% | Las Vegas + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Las Vegas
$426,069
Rio Rancho
$362,476
Rio Rancho +
Homeownership Rate
Las Vegas
55.7%
Rio Rancho
66.4%
Rio Rancho +
| Metric | Las Vegas, NV | Rio Rancho, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $426,069 | $362,476 | Rio Rancho + |
| Homeownership Rate | 55.7% | 66.4% | Rio Rancho + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Las Vegas
460
Las Vegas +
Rio Rancho
834
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Las Vegas
2417
Las Vegas +
Rio Rancho
3177
| Metric | Las Vegas, NV | Rio Rancho, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 460 | 834 | Las Vegas + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2417 | 3177 | Las Vegas + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Las Vegas
32.4%
Rio Rancho
31.9%
Rio Rancho +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Las Vegas
12.5%
Rio Rancho
10.6%
Rio Rancho +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Las Vegas
19.5%
Rio Rancho
15.4%
Rio Rancho +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Las Vegas
17.0%
Rio Rancho
11.5%
Rio Rancho +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Las Vegas
15.4%
Rio Rancho
15.0%
Rio Rancho +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Las Vegas
15.6%
Rio Rancho
10.5%
Rio Rancho +
| Metric | Las Vegas, NV | Rio Rancho, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 32.4% | 31.9% | Rio Rancho + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.5% | 10.6% | Rio Rancho + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.5% | 15.4% | Rio Rancho + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 17.0% | 11.5% | Rio Rancho + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.4% | 15.0% | Rio Rancho + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 15.6% | 10.5% | Rio Rancho + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Las Vegas
67.4°F
Rio Rancho
55.7°F
Rio Rancho +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Las Vegas
5.1 in
Las Vegas +
Rio Rancho
12.3 in
| Metric | Las Vegas, NV | Rio Rancho, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 67.4°F | 55.7°F | Rio Rancho + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 5.1 in | 12.3 in | Las Vegas + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Las Vegas
5.2 µg/m³
Las Vegas +
Rio Rancho
6.1 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Las Vegas
75.0%
Rio Rancho
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Las Vegas, NV | Rio Rancho, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 5.2 µg/m³ | 6.1 µg/m³ | Las Vegas + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Las Vegas
27.7 min
Rio Rancho
19.1 min
Rio Rancho +
| Metric | Las Vegas, NV | Rio Rancho, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 27.7 min | 19.1 min | Rio Rancho + |
Which City is Right for You?
Las Vegas leads in median household income at $70,723, while rio Rancho offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $362,476. On public safety, Las Vegas is safer with a violent crime rate of 460 per 100,000 residents, compared to 834 in Rio Rancho. Rio Rancho has a lower unemployment rate at 5.9%, and Las Vegas has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 5.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Rio Rancho scores better with a lower obesity rate of 31.9%.
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