Little Rock AR 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)
Little Rock, AR
Arkansas · Population: 202,739
- Median HH Income$60,583
- Median Home Price$216,863
- Unemployment4.2%
- Bachelor's+44.0%
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
Little Rock
202,739
Little Rock +
Rio Rancho
47,823
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Little Rock
N/A
Rio Rancho
N/A
Median Age
Little Rock
36.4
Little Rock +
Rio Rancho
36.8
Foreign Born
Little Rock
7.9%
Rio Rancho
11.6%
Rio Rancho +
White
Little Rock
46.4%
Rio Rancho
62.2%
Rio Rancho +
Black
Little Rock
39.4%
Little Rock +
Rio Rancho
1.8%
Asian
Little Rock
3.0%
Little Rock +
Rio Rancho
1.6%
Hispanic
Little Rock
10.4%
Rio Rancho
61.1%
Rio Rancho +
Spanish at Home
Little Rock
N/A
Rio Rancho
N/A
| Metric | Little Rock, AR | Rio Rancho, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 202,739 | 47,823 | Little Rock + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.4 | 36.8 | Little Rock + |
| Foreign Born | 7.9% | 11.6% | Rio Rancho + |
| White | 46.4% | 62.2% | Rio Rancho + |
| Black | 39.4% | 1.8% | Little Rock + |
| Asian | 3.0% | 1.6% | Little Rock + |
| Hispanic | 10.4% | 61.1% | Rio Rancho + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Little Rock
$60,583
Little Rock +
Rio Rancho
$50,294
Per Capita Income
Little Rock
$43,242
Little Rock +
Rio Rancho
$28,418
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Little Rock
$53,714
Little Rock +
Rio Rancho
$53,141
Unemployment Rate
Little Rock
4.2%
Little Rock +
Rio Rancho
5.9%
Poverty Rate
Little Rock
16.4%
Little Rock +
Rio Rancho
24.2%
Bachelor's Degree+
Little Rock
44.0%
Little Rock +
Rio Rancho
19.6%
| Metric | Little Rock, AR | Rio Rancho, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $60,583 | $50,294 | Little Rock + |
| Per Capita Income | $43,242 | $28,418 | Little Rock + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $53,714 | $53,141 | Little Rock + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.2% | 5.9% | Little Rock + |
| Poverty Rate | 16.4% | 24.2% | Little Rock + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 44.0% | 19.6% | Little Rock + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Little Rock
$216,863
Little Rock +
Rio Rancho
$362,476
Homeownership Rate
Little Rock
54.2%
Rio Rancho
66.4%
Rio Rancho +
| Metric | Little Rock, AR | Rio Rancho, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $216,863 | $362,476 | Little Rock + |
| Homeownership Rate | 54.2% | 66.4% | Rio Rancho + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Little Rock
660
Little Rock +
Rio Rancho
834
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Little Rock
2507
Little Rock +
Rio Rancho
3177
| Metric | Little Rock, AR | Rio Rancho, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 660 | 834 | Little Rock + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2507 | 3177 | Little Rock + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Little Rock
40.5%
Rio Rancho
31.9%
Rio Rancho +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Little Rock
13.1%
Rio Rancho
10.6%
Rio Rancho +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Little Rock
17.5%
Rio Rancho
15.4%
Rio Rancho +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Little Rock
11.4%
Little Rock +
Rio Rancho
11.5%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Little Rock
14.3%
Little Rock +
Rio Rancho
15.0%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Little Rock
13.3%
Rio Rancho
10.5%
Rio Rancho +
| Metric | Little Rock, AR | Rio Rancho, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 40.5% | 31.9% | Rio Rancho + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.1% | 10.6% | Rio Rancho + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.5% | 15.4% | Rio Rancho + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.4% | 11.5% | Little Rock + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.3% | 15.0% | Little Rock + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 13.3% | 10.5% | Rio Rancho + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Little Rock
62.7°F
Rio Rancho
55.7°F
Rio Rancho +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Little Rock
50.0 in
Rio Rancho
12.3 in
Rio Rancho +
| Metric | Little Rock, AR | Rio Rancho, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 62.7°F | 55.7°F | Rio Rancho + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 50.0 in | 12.3 in | Rio Rancho + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Little Rock
9.5 µg/m³
Rio Rancho
6.1 µg/m³
Rio Rancho +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Little Rock
55.0%
Rio Rancho
75.0%
Rio Rancho +
| Metric | Little Rock, AR | Rio Rancho, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.5 µg/m³ | 6.1 µg/m³ | Rio Rancho + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Rio Rancho + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Little Rock
20.0 min
Rio Rancho
19.1 min
Rio Rancho +
| Metric | Little Rock, AR | Rio Rancho, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 20.0 min | 19.1 min | Rio Rancho + |
Which City is Right for You?
Little Rock leads in median household income at $60,583, while little Rock offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $216,863. On public safety, Little Rock is safer with a violent crime rate of 660 per 100,000 residents, compared to 834 in Rio Rancho. Little Rock has a lower unemployment rate at 4.2%, 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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