Lincoln NE 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)
Lincoln, NE
Nebraska · Population: 291,932
- Median HH Income$69,991
- Median Home Price$293,233
- Unemployment3.3%
- Bachelor's+40.9%
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
Lincoln
291,932
Lincoln +
Rio Rancho
47,823
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Lincoln
N/A
Rio Rancho
N/A
Median Age
Lincoln
33.4
Lincoln +
Rio Rancho
36.8
Foreign Born
Lincoln
9.2%
Rio Rancho
11.6%
Rio Rancho +
White
Lincoln
80.9%
Lincoln +
Rio Rancho
62.2%
Black
Lincoln
4.2%
Lincoln +
Rio Rancho
1.8%
Asian
Lincoln
4.5%
Lincoln +
Rio Rancho
1.6%
Hispanic
Lincoln
8.8%
Rio Rancho
61.1%
Rio Rancho +
Spanish at Home
Lincoln
N/A
Rio Rancho
N/A
| Metric | Lincoln, NE | Rio Rancho, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 291,932 | 47,823 | Lincoln + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 33.4 | 36.8 | Lincoln + |
| Foreign Born | 9.2% | 11.6% | Rio Rancho + |
| White | 80.9% | 62.2% | Lincoln + |
| Black | 4.2% | 1.8% | Lincoln + |
| Asian | 4.5% | 1.6% | Lincoln + |
| Hispanic | 8.8% | 61.1% | Rio Rancho + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Lincoln
$69,991
Lincoln +
Rio Rancho
$50,294
Per Capita Income
Lincoln
$39,187
Lincoln +
Rio Rancho
$28,418
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Lincoln
$66,354
Lincoln +
Rio Rancho
$53,141
Unemployment Rate
Lincoln
3.3%
Lincoln +
Rio Rancho
5.9%
Poverty Rate
Lincoln
12.6%
Lincoln +
Rio Rancho
24.2%
Bachelor's Degree+
Lincoln
40.9%
Lincoln +
Rio Rancho
19.6%
| Metric | Lincoln, NE | Rio Rancho, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $69,991 | $50,294 | Lincoln + |
| Per Capita Income | $39,187 | $28,418 | Lincoln + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $66,354 | $53,141 | Lincoln + |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.3% | 5.9% | Lincoln + |
| Poverty Rate | 12.6% | 24.2% | Lincoln + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 40.9% | 19.6% | Lincoln + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Lincoln
$293,233
Lincoln +
Rio Rancho
$362,476
Homeownership Rate
Lincoln
55.8%
Rio Rancho
66.4%
Rio Rancho +
| Metric | Lincoln, NE | Rio Rancho, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $293,233 | $362,476 | Lincoln + |
| Homeownership Rate | 55.8% | 66.4% | Rio Rancho + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Lincoln
294
Lincoln +
Rio Rancho
834
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Lincoln
1960
Lincoln +
Rio Rancho
3177
| Metric | Lincoln, NE | Rio Rancho, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 294 | 834 | Lincoln + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1960 | 3177 | Lincoln + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Lincoln
35.1%
Rio Rancho
31.9%
Rio Rancho +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Lincoln
9.5%
Lincoln +
Rio Rancho
10.6%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Lincoln
15.2%
Lincoln +
Rio Rancho
15.4%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Lincoln
9.6%
Lincoln +
Rio Rancho
11.5%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Lincoln
20.6%
Rio Rancho
15.0%
Rio Rancho +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Lincoln
12.5%
Rio Rancho
10.5%
Rio Rancho +
| Metric | Lincoln, NE | Rio Rancho, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 35.1% | 31.9% | Rio Rancho + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 9.5% | 10.6% | Lincoln + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 15.2% | 15.4% | Lincoln + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.6% | 11.5% | Lincoln + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 20.6% | 15.0% | Rio Rancho + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.5% | 10.5% | Rio Rancho + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Lincoln
51.6°F
Lincoln +
Rio Rancho
55.7°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Lincoln
29.0 in
Rio Rancho
12.3 in
Rio Rancho +
| Metric | Lincoln, NE | Rio Rancho, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 51.6°F | 55.7°F | Lincoln + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 29.0 in | 12.3 in | Rio Rancho + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Lincoln
7.6 µg/m³
Rio Rancho
6.1 µg/m³
Rio Rancho +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Lincoln
75.0%
Rio Rancho
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Lincoln, NE | Rio Rancho, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.6 µg/m³ | 6.1 µg/m³ | Rio Rancho + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Lincoln
20.0 min
Rio Rancho
19.1 min
Rio Rancho +
| Metric | Lincoln, NE | Rio Rancho, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 20.0 min | 19.1 min | Rio Rancho + |
Which City is Right for You?
Lincoln leads in median household income at $69,991, while lincoln offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $293,233. On public safety, Lincoln is safer with a violent crime rate of 294 per 100,000 residents, compared to 834 in Rio Rancho. Lincoln has a lower unemployment rate at 3.3%, 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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