Macon GA 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)
Macon, GA
Georgia · Population: 61,773
- Median HH Income$70,086
- Median Home Price$171,916
- Unemployment3.9%
- Bachelor's+46.8%
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
Macon
61,773
Macon +
Rio Rancho
47,823
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Macon
N/A
Rio Rancho
N/A
Median Age
Macon
35.2
Macon +
Rio Rancho
36.8
Foreign Born
Macon
18.3%
Macon +
Rio Rancho
11.6%
White
Macon
43.7%
Rio Rancho
62.2%
Rio Rancho +
Black
Macon
30.4%
Macon +
Rio Rancho
1.8%
Asian
Macon
2.0%
Macon +
Rio Rancho
1.6%
Hispanic
Macon
19.8%
Rio Rancho
61.1%
Rio Rancho +
Spanish at Home
Macon
N/A
Rio Rancho
N/A
| Metric | Macon, GA | Rio Rancho, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 61,773 | 47,823 | Macon + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.2 | 36.8 | Macon + |
| Foreign Born | 18.3% | 11.6% | Macon + |
| White | 43.7% | 62.2% | Rio Rancho + |
| Black | 30.4% | 1.8% | Macon + |
| Asian | 2.0% | 1.6% | Macon + |
| Hispanic | 19.8% | 61.1% | Rio Rancho + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Macon
$70,086
Macon +
Rio Rancho
$50,294
Per Capita Income
Macon
$43,074
Macon +
Rio Rancho
$28,418
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Macon
$57,405
Macon +
Rio Rancho
$53,141
Unemployment Rate
Macon
3.9%
Macon +
Rio Rancho
5.9%
Poverty Rate
Macon
12.7%
Macon +
Rio Rancho
24.2%
Bachelor's Degree+
Macon
46.8%
Macon +
Rio Rancho
19.6%
| Metric | Macon, GA | Rio Rancho, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $70,086 | $50,294 | Macon + |
| Per Capita Income | $43,074 | $28,418 | Macon + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $57,405 | $53,141 | Macon + |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.9% | 5.9% | Macon + |
| Poverty Rate | 12.7% | 24.2% | Macon + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 46.8% | 19.6% | Macon + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Macon
$171,916
Macon +
Rio Rancho
$362,476
Homeownership Rate
Macon
47.2%
Rio Rancho
66.4%
Rio Rancho +
| Metric | Macon, GA | Rio Rancho, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $171,916 | $362,476 | Macon + |
| Homeownership Rate | 47.2% | 66.4% | Rio Rancho + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Macon
392
Macon +
Rio Rancho
834
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Macon
1752
Macon +
Rio Rancho
3177
| Metric | Macon, GA | Rio Rancho, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 392 | 834 | Macon + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1752 | 3177 | Macon + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Macon
N/A
Rio Rancho
31.9%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Macon
N/A
Rio Rancho
10.6%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Macon
N/A
Rio Rancho
15.4%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Macon
N/A
Rio Rancho
11.5%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Macon
N/A
Rio Rancho
15.0%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Macon
N/A
Rio Rancho
10.5%
| Metric | Macon, GA | 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
Macon
64.6°F
Rio Rancho
55.7°F
Rio Rancho +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Macon
45.7 in
Rio Rancho
12.3 in
Rio Rancho +
| Metric | Macon, GA | Rio Rancho, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 64.6°F | 55.7°F | Rio Rancho + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 45.7 in | 12.3 in | Rio Rancho + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Macon
9.8 µg/m³
Rio Rancho
6.1 µg/m³
Rio Rancho +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Macon
55.0%
Rio Rancho
75.0%
Rio Rancho +
| Metric | Macon, GA | Rio Rancho, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.8 µg/m³ | 6.1 µg/m³ | Rio Rancho + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Rio Rancho + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Macon
30.2 min
Rio Rancho
19.1 min
Rio Rancho +
| Metric | Macon, GA | Rio Rancho, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 30.2 min | 19.1 min | Rio Rancho + |
Which City is Right for You?
Macon leads in median household income at $70,086, while macon offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $171,916. On public safety, Macon is safer with a violent crime rate of 392 per 100,000 residents, compared to 834 in Rio Rancho. Macon has a lower unemployment rate at 3.9%, and Rio Rancho has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 6.1 µg/m³).
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