Lubbock TX 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)
Lubbock, TX
Texas · Population: 261,078
- Median HH Income$60,487
- Median Home Price$210,477
- Unemployment4.8%
- Bachelor's+34.9%
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
Lubbock
261,078
Lubbock +
Rio Rancho
47,823
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Lubbock
N/A
Rio Rancho
N/A
Median Age
Lubbock
30.4
Lubbock +
Rio Rancho
36.8
Foreign Born
Lubbock
6.2%
Rio Rancho
11.6%
Rio Rancho +
White
Lubbock
64.6%
Lubbock +
Rio Rancho
62.2%
Black
Lubbock
8.3%
Lubbock +
Rio Rancho
1.8%
Asian
Lubbock
2.8%
Lubbock +
Rio Rancho
1.6%
Hispanic
Lubbock
36.8%
Rio Rancho
61.1%
Rio Rancho +
Spanish at Home
Lubbock
N/A
Rio Rancho
N/A
| Metric | Lubbock, TX | Rio Rancho, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 261,078 | 47,823 | Lubbock + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 30.4 | 36.8 | Lubbock + |
| Foreign Born | 6.2% | 11.6% | Rio Rancho + |
| White | 64.6% | 62.2% | Lubbock + |
| Black | 8.3% | 1.8% | Lubbock + |
| Asian | 2.8% | 1.6% | Lubbock + |
| Hispanic | 36.8% | 61.1% | Rio Rancho + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Lubbock
$60,487
Lubbock +
Rio Rancho
$50,294
Per Capita Income
Lubbock
$34,629
Lubbock +
Rio Rancho
$28,418
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Lubbock
$63,758
Lubbock +
Rio Rancho
$53,141
Unemployment Rate
Lubbock
4.8%
Lubbock +
Rio Rancho
5.9%
Poverty Rate
Lubbock
19.0%
Lubbock +
Rio Rancho
24.2%
Bachelor's Degree+
Lubbock
34.9%
Lubbock +
Rio Rancho
19.6%
| Metric | Lubbock, TX | Rio Rancho, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $60,487 | $50,294 | Lubbock + |
| Per Capita Income | $34,629 | $28,418 | Lubbock + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $63,758 | $53,141 | Lubbock + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.8% | 5.9% | Lubbock + |
| Poverty Rate | 19.0% | 24.2% | Lubbock + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 34.9% | 19.6% | Lubbock + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Lubbock
$210,477
Lubbock +
Rio Rancho
$362,476
Homeownership Rate
Lubbock
50.8%
Rio Rancho
66.4%
Rio Rancho +
| Metric | Lubbock, TX | Rio Rancho, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $210,477 | $362,476 | Lubbock + |
| Homeownership Rate | 50.8% | 66.4% | Rio Rancho + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Lubbock
442
Lubbock +
Rio Rancho
834
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Lubbock
2339
Lubbock +
Rio Rancho
3177
| Metric | Lubbock, TX | Rio Rancho, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 442 | 834 | Lubbock + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2339 | 3177 | Lubbock + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Lubbock
35.8%
Rio Rancho
31.9%
Rio Rancho +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Lubbock
11.8%
Rio Rancho
10.6%
Rio Rancho +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Lubbock
18.5%
Rio Rancho
15.4%
Rio Rancho +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Lubbock
18.4%
Rio Rancho
11.5%
Rio Rancho +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Lubbock
17.6%
Rio Rancho
15.0%
Rio Rancho +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Lubbock
13.0%
Rio Rancho
10.5%
Rio Rancho +
| Metric | Lubbock, TX | Rio Rancho, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 35.8% | 31.9% | Rio Rancho + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.8% | 10.6% | Rio Rancho + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.5% | 15.4% | Rio Rancho + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 18.4% | 11.5% | Rio Rancho + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 17.6% | 15.0% | Rio Rancho + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 13.0% | 10.5% | Rio Rancho + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Lubbock
N/A
Rio Rancho
55.7°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Lubbock
21.1 in
Rio Rancho
12.3 in
Rio Rancho +
| Metric | Lubbock, TX | Rio Rancho, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 55.7°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 21.1 in | 12.3 in | Rio Rancho + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Lubbock
9.2 µg/m³
Rio Rancho
6.1 µg/m³
Rio Rancho +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Lubbock
55.0%
Rio Rancho
75.0%
Rio Rancho +
| Metric | Lubbock, TX | Rio Rancho, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.2 µg/m³ | 6.1 µg/m³ | Rio Rancho + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Rio Rancho + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Lubbock
17.4 min
Lubbock +
Rio Rancho
19.1 min
| Metric | Lubbock, TX | Rio Rancho, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 17.4 min | 19.1 min | Lubbock + |
Which City is Right for You?
Lubbock leads in median household income at $60,487, while lubbock offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $210,477. On public safety, Lubbock is safer with a violent crime rate of 442 per 100,000 residents, compared to 834 in Rio Rancho. Lubbock has a lower unemployment rate at 4.8%, 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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