Long Beach CA 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)
Long Beach, CA
California · Population: 458,491
- Median HH Income$83,969
- Median Home Price$862,599
- Unemployment6.5%
- Bachelor's+34.8%
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
Long Beach
458,491
Long Beach +
Rio Rancho
47,823
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Long Beach
N/A
Rio Rancho
N/A
Median Age
Long Beach
36.8
Rio Rancho
36.8
Tie
Foreign Born
Long Beach
24.7%
Long Beach +
Rio Rancho
11.6%
White
Long Beach
41.6%
Rio Rancho
62.2%
Rio Rancho +
Black
Long Beach
11.9%
Long Beach +
Rio Rancho
1.8%
Asian
Long Beach
12.8%
Long Beach +
Rio Rancho
1.6%
Hispanic
Long Beach
43.4%
Rio Rancho
61.1%
Rio Rancho +
Spanish at Home
Long Beach
N/A
Rio Rancho
N/A
| Metric | Long Beach, CA | Rio Rancho, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 458,491 | 47,823 | Long Beach + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.8 | 36.8 | Tie |
| Foreign Born | 24.7% | 11.6% | Long Beach + |
| White | 41.6% | 62.2% | Rio Rancho + |
| Black | 11.9% | 1.8% | Long Beach + |
| Asian | 12.8% | 1.6% | Long Beach + |
| Hispanic | 43.4% | 61.1% | Rio Rancho + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Long Beach
$83,969
Long Beach +
Rio Rancho
$50,294
Per Capita Income
Long Beach
$42,370
Long Beach +
Rio Rancho
$28,418
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Long Beach
$77,230
Long Beach +
Rio Rancho
$53,141
Unemployment Rate
Long Beach
6.5%
Rio Rancho
5.9%
Rio Rancho +
Poverty Rate
Long Beach
15.0%
Long Beach +
Rio Rancho
24.2%
Bachelor's Degree+
Long Beach
34.8%
Long Beach +
Rio Rancho
19.6%
| Metric | Long Beach, CA | Rio Rancho, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $83,969 | $50,294 | Long Beach + |
| Per Capita Income | $42,370 | $28,418 | Long Beach + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,230 | $53,141 | Long Beach + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.5% | 5.9% | Rio Rancho + |
| Poverty Rate | 15.0% | 24.2% | Long Beach + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 34.8% | 19.6% | Long Beach + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Long Beach
$862,599
Rio Rancho
$362,476
Rio Rancho +
Homeownership Rate
Long Beach
40.9%
Rio Rancho
66.4%
Rio Rancho +
| Metric | Long Beach, CA | Rio Rancho, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $862,599 | $362,476 | Rio Rancho + |
| Homeownership Rate | 40.9% | 66.4% | Rio Rancho + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Long Beach
503
Long Beach +
Rio Rancho
834
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Long Beach
2388
Long Beach +
Rio Rancho
3177
| Metric | Long Beach, CA | Rio Rancho, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 503 | 834 | Long Beach + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2388 | 3177 | Long Beach + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Long Beach
27.4%
Long Beach +
Rio Rancho
31.9%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Long Beach
11.7%
Rio Rancho
10.6%
Rio Rancho +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Long Beach
17.5%
Rio Rancho
15.4%
Rio Rancho +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Long Beach
11.9%
Rio Rancho
11.5%
Rio Rancho +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Long Beach
15.7%
Rio Rancho
15.0%
Rio Rancho +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Long Beach
11.9%
Rio Rancho
10.5%
Rio Rancho +
| Metric | Long Beach, CA | Rio Rancho, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 27.4% | 31.9% | Long Beach + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.7% | 10.6% | Rio Rancho + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.5% | 15.4% | Rio Rancho + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.9% | 11.5% | Rio Rancho + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.7% | 15.0% | Rio Rancho + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 11.9% | 10.5% | Rio Rancho + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Long Beach
64.7°F
Rio Rancho
55.7°F
Rio Rancho +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Long Beach
12.3 in
Rio Rancho
12.3 in
Tie
| Metric | Long Beach, CA | Rio Rancho, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 64.7°F | 55.7°F | Rio Rancho + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 12.3 in | 12.3 in | Tie |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Long Beach
7.9 µg/m³
Rio Rancho
6.1 µg/m³
Rio Rancho +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Long Beach
75.0%
Rio Rancho
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Long Beach, CA | Rio Rancho, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.9 µg/m³ | 6.1 µg/m³ | Rio Rancho + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Long Beach
32.6 min
Rio Rancho
19.1 min
Rio Rancho +
| Metric | Long Beach, CA | Rio Rancho, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 32.6 min | 19.1 min | Rio Rancho + |
Which City is Right for You?
Long Beach leads in median household income at $83,969, while rio Rancho offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $362,476. On public safety, Long Beach is safer with a violent crime rate of 503 per 100,000 residents, compared to 834 in Rio Rancho. 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, Long Beach scores better with a lower obesity rate of 27.4%.
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