Lexington KY 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)
Lexington, KY
Kentucky · Population: 321,122
- Median HH Income$67,631
- Median Home Price$332,727
- Unemployment5.0%
- Bachelor's+47.3%
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
Lexington
321,122
Lexington +
Rio Rancho
47,823
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Lexington
N/A
Rio Rancho
N/A
Median Age
Lexington
35.2
Lexington +
Rio Rancho
36.8
Foreign Born
Lexington
11.0%
Rio Rancho
11.6%
Rio Rancho +
White
Lexington
69.9%
Lexington +
Rio Rancho
62.2%
Black
Lexington
14.4%
Lexington +
Rio Rancho
1.8%
Asian
Lexington
4.2%
Lexington +
Rio Rancho
1.6%
Hispanic
Lexington
9.2%
Rio Rancho
61.1%
Rio Rancho +
Spanish at Home
Lexington
N/A
Rio Rancho
N/A
| Metric | Lexington, KY | Rio Rancho, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 321,122 | 47,823 | Lexington + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.2 | 36.8 | Lexington + |
| Foreign Born | 11.0% | 11.6% | Rio Rancho + |
| White | 69.9% | 62.2% | Lexington + |
| Black | 14.4% | 1.8% | Lexington + |
| Asian | 4.2% | 1.6% | Lexington + |
| Hispanic | 9.2% | 61.1% | Rio Rancho + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Lexington
$67,631
Lexington +
Rio Rancho
$50,294
Per Capita Income
Lexington
$42,272
Lexington +
Rio Rancho
$28,418
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Lexington
$52,606
Rio Rancho
$53,141
Rio Rancho +
Unemployment Rate
Lexington
5.0%
Lexington +
Rio Rancho
5.9%
Poverty Rate
Lexington
15.7%
Lexington +
Rio Rancho
24.2%
Bachelor's Degree+
Lexington
47.3%
Lexington +
Rio Rancho
19.6%
| Metric | Lexington, KY | Rio Rancho, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $67,631 | $50,294 | Lexington + |
| Per Capita Income | $42,272 | $28,418 | Lexington + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $52,606 | $53,141 | Rio Rancho + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.0% | 5.9% | Lexington + |
| Poverty Rate | 15.7% | 24.2% | Lexington + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 47.3% | 19.6% | Lexington + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Lexington
$332,727
Lexington +
Rio Rancho
$362,476
Homeownership Rate
Lexington
53.6%
Rio Rancho
66.4%
Rio Rancho +
| Metric | Lexington, KY | Rio Rancho, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $332,727 | $362,476 | Lexington + |
| Homeownership Rate | 53.6% | 66.4% | Rio Rancho + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Lexington
223
Lexington +
Rio Rancho
834
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Lexington
1505
Lexington +
Rio Rancho
3177
| Metric | Lexington, KY | Rio Rancho, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 223 | 834 | Lexington + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1505 | 3177 | Lexington + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Lexington
N/A
Rio Rancho
31.9%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Lexington
N/A
Rio Rancho
10.6%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Lexington
N/A
Rio Rancho
15.4%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Lexington
N/A
Rio Rancho
11.5%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Lexington
N/A
Rio Rancho
15.0%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Lexington
N/A
Rio Rancho
10.5%
| Metric | Lexington, KY | Rio Rancho, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | N/A | 31.9% | - |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | N/A | 10.6% | - |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | N/A | 15.4% | - |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | N/A | 11.5% | - |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | N/A | 15.0% | - |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | N/A | 10.5% | - |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Lexington
55.6°F
Lexington +
Rio Rancho
55.7°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Lexington
45.2 in
Rio Rancho
12.3 in
Rio Rancho +
| Metric | Lexington, KY | Rio Rancho, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 55.6°F | 55.7°F | Lexington + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 45.2 in | 12.3 in | Rio Rancho + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Lexington
8.6 µg/m³
Rio Rancho
6.1 µg/m³
Rio Rancho +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Lexington
75.0%
Rio Rancho
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Lexington, KY | Rio Rancho, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.6 µg/m³ | 6.1 µg/m³ | Rio Rancho + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Lexington
22.5 min
Rio Rancho
19.1 min
Rio Rancho +
| Metric | Lexington, KY | Rio Rancho, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 22.5 min | 19.1 min | Rio Rancho + |
Which City is Right for You?
Lexington leads in median household income at $67,631, while lexington offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $332,727. On public safety, Lexington is safer with a violent crime rate of 223 per 100,000 residents, compared to 834 in Rio Rancho. Lexington has a lower unemployment rate at 5.0%, and Rio Rancho has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 6.1 µg/m³).
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