Los Angeles 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)
Los Angeles, CA
California · Population: 3,857,897
- Median HH Income$80,366
- Median Home Price$956,465
- Unemployment7.9%
- Bachelor's+37.8%
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
Los Angeles
3,857,897
Los Angeles +
Rio Rancho
47,823
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Los Angeles
N/A
Rio Rancho
N/A
Median Age
Los Angeles
36.9
Rio Rancho
36.8
Rio Rancho +
Foreign Born
Los Angeles
35.8%
Los Angeles +
Rio Rancho
11.6%
White
Los Angeles
37.3%
Rio Rancho
62.2%
Rio Rancho +
Black
Los Angeles
8.5%
Los Angeles +
Rio Rancho
1.8%
Asian
Los Angeles
12.0%
Los Angeles +
Rio Rancho
1.6%
Hispanic
Los Angeles
47.2%
Rio Rancho
61.1%
Rio Rancho +
Spanish at Home
Los Angeles
N/A
Rio Rancho
N/A
| Metric | Los Angeles, CA | Rio Rancho, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 3,857,897 | 47,823 | Los Angeles + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.9 | 36.8 | Rio Rancho + |
| Foreign Born | 35.8% | 11.6% | Los Angeles + |
| White | 37.3% | 62.2% | Rio Rancho + |
| Black | 8.5% | 1.8% | Los Angeles + |
| Asian | 12.0% | 1.6% | Los Angeles + |
| Hispanic | 47.2% | 61.1% | Rio Rancho + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Los Angeles
$80,366
Los Angeles +
Rio Rancho
$50,294
Per Capita Income
Los Angeles
$46,270
Los Angeles +
Rio Rancho
$28,418
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Los Angeles
$77,230
Los Angeles +
Rio Rancho
$53,141
Unemployment Rate
Los Angeles
7.9%
Rio Rancho
5.9%
Rio Rancho +
Poverty Rate
Los Angeles
16.6%
Los Angeles +
Rio Rancho
24.2%
Bachelor's Degree+
Los Angeles
37.8%
Los Angeles +
Rio Rancho
19.6%
| Metric | Los Angeles, CA | Rio Rancho, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $80,366 | $50,294 | Los Angeles + |
| Per Capita Income | $46,270 | $28,418 | Los Angeles + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,230 | $53,141 | Los Angeles + |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.9% | 5.9% | Rio Rancho + |
| Poverty Rate | 16.6% | 24.2% | Los Angeles + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 37.8% | 19.6% | Los Angeles + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Los Angeles
$956,465
Rio Rancho
$362,476
Rio Rancho +
Homeownership Rate
Los Angeles
36.3%
Rio Rancho
66.4%
Rio Rancho +
| Metric | Los Angeles, CA | Rio Rancho, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $956,465 | $362,476 | Rio Rancho + |
| Homeownership Rate | 36.3% | 66.4% | Rio Rancho + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Los Angeles
503
Los Angeles +
Rio Rancho
834
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Los Angeles
2388
Los Angeles +
Rio Rancho
3177
| Metric | Los Angeles, CA | Rio Rancho, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 503 | 834 | Los Angeles + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2388 | 3177 | Los Angeles + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Los Angeles
27.3%
Los Angeles +
Rio Rancho
31.9%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Los Angeles
11.9%
Rio Rancho
10.6%
Rio Rancho +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Los Angeles
17.4%
Rio Rancho
15.4%
Rio Rancho +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Los Angeles
13.2%
Rio Rancho
11.5%
Rio Rancho +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Los Angeles
15.9%
Rio Rancho
15.0%
Rio Rancho +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Los Angeles
11.9%
Rio Rancho
10.5%
Rio Rancho +
| Metric | Los Angeles, CA | Rio Rancho, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 27.3% | 31.9% | Los Angeles + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.9% | 10.6% | Rio Rancho + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.4% | 15.4% | Rio Rancho + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 13.2% | 11.5% | Rio Rancho + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.9% | 15.0% | Rio Rancho + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 11.9% | 10.5% | Rio Rancho + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Los Angeles
62.6°F
Rio Rancho
55.7°F
Rio Rancho +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Los Angeles
12.8 in
Rio Rancho
12.3 in
Rio Rancho +
| Metric | Los Angeles, CA | Rio Rancho, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 62.6°F | 55.7°F | Rio Rancho + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 12.8 in | 12.3 in | Rio Rancho + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Los Angeles
7.9 µg/m³
Rio Rancho
6.1 µg/m³
Rio Rancho +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Los Angeles
75.0%
Rio Rancho
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Los Angeles, 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
Los Angeles
33.8 min
Rio Rancho
19.1 min
Rio Rancho +
| Metric | Los Angeles, CA | Rio Rancho, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 33.8 min | 19.1 min | Rio Rancho + |
Which City is Right for You?
Los Angeles leads in median household income at $80,366, while rio Rancho offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $362,476. On public safety, Los Angeles 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, Los Angeles scores better with a lower obesity rate of 27.3%.
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