Lowell MA 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)
Lowell, MA
Massachusetts · Population: 114,799
- Median HH Income$76,205
- Median Home Price$484,226
- Unemployment5.4%
- Bachelor's+29.9%
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
Lowell
114,799
Lowell +
Rio Rancho
47,823
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Lowell
N/A
Rio Rancho
N/A
Median Age
Lowell
35.5
Lowell +
Rio Rancho
36.8
Foreign Born
Lowell
29.5%
Lowell +
Rio Rancho
11.6%
White
Lowell
50.9%
Rio Rancho
62.2%
Rio Rancho +
Black
Lowell
10.8%
Lowell +
Rio Rancho
1.8%
Asian
Lowell
21.1%
Lowell +
Rio Rancho
1.6%
Hispanic
Lowell
19.3%
Rio Rancho
61.1%
Rio Rancho +
Spanish at Home
Lowell
N/A
Rio Rancho
N/A
| Metric | Lowell, MA | Rio Rancho, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 114,799 | 47,823 | Lowell + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.5 | 36.8 | Lowell + |
| Foreign Born | 29.5% | 11.6% | Lowell + |
| White | 50.9% | 62.2% | Rio Rancho + |
| Black | 10.8% | 1.8% | Lowell + |
| Asian | 21.1% | 1.6% | Lowell + |
| Hispanic | 19.3% | 61.1% | Rio Rancho + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Lowell
$76,205
Lowell +
Rio Rancho
$50,294
Per Capita Income
Lowell
$36,138
Lowell +
Rio Rancho
$28,418
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Lowell
$85,405
Lowell +
Rio Rancho
$53,141
Unemployment Rate
Lowell
5.4%
Lowell +
Rio Rancho
5.9%
Poverty Rate
Lowell
16.0%
Lowell +
Rio Rancho
24.2%
Bachelor's Degree+
Lowell
29.9%
Lowell +
Rio Rancho
19.6%
| Metric | Lowell, MA | Rio Rancho, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $76,205 | $50,294 | Lowell + |
| Per Capita Income | $36,138 | $28,418 | Lowell + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $85,405 | $53,141 | Lowell + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.4% | 5.9% | Lowell + |
| Poverty Rate | 16.0% | 24.2% | Lowell + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 29.9% | 19.6% | Lowell + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Lowell
$484,226
Rio Rancho
$362,476
Rio Rancho +
Homeownership Rate
Lowell
44.0%
Rio Rancho
66.4%
Rio Rancho +
| Metric | Lowell, MA | Rio Rancho, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $484,226 | $362,476 | Rio Rancho + |
| Homeownership Rate | 44.0% | 66.4% | Rio Rancho + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Lowell
326
Lowell +
Rio Rancho
834
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Lowell
1086
Lowell +
Rio Rancho
3177
| Metric | Lowell, MA | Rio Rancho, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 326 | 834 | Lowell + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1086 | 3177 | Lowell + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Lowell
27.2%
Lowell +
Rio Rancho
31.9%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Lowell
10.9%
Rio Rancho
10.6%
Rio Rancho +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Lowell
18.5%
Rio Rancho
15.4%
Rio Rancho +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Lowell
8.2%
Lowell +
Rio Rancho
11.5%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Lowell
15.1%
Rio Rancho
15.0%
Rio Rancho +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Lowell
14.1%
Rio Rancho
10.5%
Rio Rancho +
| Metric | Lowell, MA | Rio Rancho, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 27.2% | 31.9% | Lowell + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 10.9% | 10.6% | Rio Rancho + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.5% | 15.4% | Rio Rancho + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 8.2% | 11.5% | Lowell + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.1% | 15.0% | Rio Rancho + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 14.1% | 10.5% | Rio Rancho + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Lowell
48.5°F
Lowell +
Rio Rancho
55.7°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Lowell
47.0 in
Rio Rancho
12.3 in
Rio Rancho +
| Metric | Lowell, MA | Rio Rancho, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 48.5°F | 55.7°F | Lowell + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 47.0 in | 12.3 in | Rio Rancho + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Lowell
7.2 µg/m³
Rio Rancho
6.1 µg/m³
Rio Rancho +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Lowell
75.0%
Rio Rancho
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Lowell, MA | Rio Rancho, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.2 µg/m³ | 6.1 µg/m³ | Rio Rancho + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Lowell
30.1 min
Rio Rancho
19.1 min
Rio Rancho +
| Metric | Lowell, MA | Rio Rancho, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 30.1 min | 19.1 min | Rio Rancho + |
Which City is Right for You?
Lowell leads in median household income at $76,205, while rio Rancho offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $362,476. On public safety, Lowell is safer with a violent crime rate of 326 per 100,000 residents, compared to 834 in Rio Rancho. Lowell has a lower unemployment rate at 5.4%, and Rio Rancho has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 6.1 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Lowell scores better with a lower obesity rate of 27.2%.
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