Louisville 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)
Louisville, KY
Kentucky · Population: 627,210
- Median HH Income$64,731
- Median Home Price$264,957
- Unemployment5.0%
- Bachelor's+33.4%
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
Louisville
627,210
Louisville +
Rio Rancho
47,823
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Louisville
N/A
Rio Rancho
N/A
Median Age
Louisville
37.7
Rio Rancho
36.8
Rio Rancho +
Foreign Born
Louisville
9.8%
Rio Rancho
11.6%
Rio Rancho +
White
Louisville
63.1%
Louisville +
Rio Rancho
62.2%
Black
Louisville
23.7%
Louisville +
Rio Rancho
1.8%
Asian
Louisville
2.6%
Louisville +
Rio Rancho
1.6%
Hispanic
Louisville
8.6%
Rio Rancho
61.1%
Rio Rancho +
Spanish at Home
Louisville
N/A
Rio Rancho
N/A
| Metric | Louisville, KY | Rio Rancho, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 627,210 | 47,823 | Louisville + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 37.7 | 36.8 | Rio Rancho + |
| Foreign Born | 9.8% | 11.6% | Rio Rancho + |
| White | 63.1% | 62.2% | Louisville + |
| Black | 23.7% | 1.8% | Louisville + |
| Asian | 2.6% | 1.6% | Louisville + |
| Hispanic | 8.6% | 61.1% | Rio Rancho + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Louisville
$64,731
Louisville +
Rio Rancho
$50,294
Per Capita Income
Louisville
$38,890
Louisville +
Rio Rancho
$28,418
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Louisville
$52,606
Rio Rancho
$53,141
Rio Rancho +
Unemployment Rate
Louisville
5.0%
Louisville +
Rio Rancho
5.9%
Poverty Rate
Louisville
16.1%
Louisville +
Rio Rancho
24.2%
Bachelor's Degree+
Louisville
33.4%
Louisville +
Rio Rancho
19.6%
| Metric | Louisville, KY | Rio Rancho, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $64,731 | $50,294 | Louisville + |
| Per Capita Income | $38,890 | $28,418 | Louisville + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $52,606 | $53,141 | Rio Rancho + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.0% | 5.9% | Louisville + |
| Poverty Rate | 16.1% | 24.2% | Louisville + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 33.4% | 19.6% | Louisville + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Louisville
$264,957
Louisville +
Rio Rancho
$362,476
Homeownership Rate
Louisville
60.6%
Rio Rancho
66.4%
Rio Rancho +
| Metric | Louisville, KY | Rio Rancho, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $264,957 | $362,476 | Louisville + |
| Homeownership Rate | 60.6% | 66.4% | Rio Rancho + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Louisville
223
Louisville +
Rio Rancho
834
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Louisville
1505
Louisville +
Rio Rancho
3177
| Metric | Louisville, KY | Rio Rancho, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 223 | 834 | Louisville + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1505 | 3177 | Louisville + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Louisville
N/A
Rio Rancho
31.9%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Louisville
N/A
Rio Rancho
10.6%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Louisville
N/A
Rio Rancho
15.4%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Louisville
N/A
Rio Rancho
11.5%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Louisville
N/A
Rio Rancho
15.0%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Louisville
N/A
Rio Rancho
10.5%
| Metric | Louisville, 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
Louisville
N/A
Rio Rancho
55.7°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Louisville
43.3 in
Rio Rancho
12.3 in
Rio Rancho +
| Metric | Louisville, KY | Rio Rancho, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 55.7°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 43.3 in | 12.3 in | Rio Rancho + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Louisville
8.6 µg/m³
Rio Rancho
6.1 µg/m³
Rio Rancho +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Louisville
75.0%
Rio Rancho
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Louisville, 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
Louisville
24.2 min
Rio Rancho
19.1 min
Rio Rancho +
| Metric | Louisville, KY | Rio Rancho, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 24.2 min | 19.1 min | Rio Rancho + |
Which City is Right for You?
Louisville leads in median household income at $64,731, while louisville offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $264,957. On public safety, Louisville is safer with a violent crime rate of 223 per 100,000 residents, compared to 834 in Rio Rancho. Louisville 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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