Manchester NH 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)
Manchester, NH
New Hampshire · Population: 115,415
- Median HH Income$77,415
- Median Home Price$441,257
- Unemployment3.8%
- Bachelor's+33.5%
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
Manchester
115,415
Manchester +
Rio Rancho
47,823
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Manchester
N/A
Rio Rancho
N/A
Median Age
Manchester
37.9
Rio Rancho
36.8
Rio Rancho +
Foreign Born
Manchester
14.8%
Manchester +
Rio Rancho
11.6%
White
Manchester
76.7%
Manchester +
Rio Rancho
62.2%
Black
Manchester
5.3%
Manchester +
Rio Rancho
1.8%
Asian
Manchester
4.6%
Manchester +
Rio Rancho
1.6%
Hispanic
Manchester
13.5%
Rio Rancho
61.1%
Rio Rancho +
Spanish at Home
Manchester
N/A
Rio Rancho
N/A
| Metric | Manchester, NH | Rio Rancho, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 115,415 | 47,823 | Manchester + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 37.9 | 36.8 | Rio Rancho + |
| Foreign Born | 14.8% | 11.6% | Manchester + |
| White | 76.7% | 62.2% | Manchester + |
| Black | 5.3% | 1.8% | Manchester + |
| Asian | 4.6% | 1.6% | Manchester + |
| Hispanic | 13.5% | 61.1% | Rio Rancho + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Manchester
$77,415
Manchester +
Rio Rancho
$50,294
Per Capita Income
Manchester
$44,220
Manchester +
Rio Rancho
$28,418
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Manchester
$75,331
Manchester +
Rio Rancho
$53,141
Unemployment Rate
Manchester
3.8%
Manchester +
Rio Rancho
5.9%
Poverty Rate
Manchester
10.7%
Manchester +
Rio Rancho
24.2%
Bachelor's Degree+
Manchester
33.5%
Manchester +
Rio Rancho
19.6%
| Metric | Manchester, NH | Rio Rancho, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $77,415 | $50,294 | Manchester + |
| Per Capita Income | $44,220 | $28,418 | Manchester + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $75,331 | $53,141 | Manchester + |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.8% | 5.9% | Manchester + |
| Poverty Rate | 10.7% | 24.2% | Manchester + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 33.5% | 19.6% | Manchester + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Manchester
$441,257
Rio Rancho
$362,476
Rio Rancho +
Homeownership Rate
Manchester
49.3%
Rio Rancho
66.4%
Rio Rancho +
| Metric | Manchester, NH | Rio Rancho, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $441,257 | $362,476 | Rio Rancho + |
| Homeownership Rate | 49.3% | 66.4% | Rio Rancho + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Manchester
134
Manchester +
Rio Rancho
834
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Manchester
1048
Manchester +
Rio Rancho
3177
| Metric | Manchester, NH | Rio Rancho, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 134 | 834 | Manchester + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1048 | 3177 | Manchester + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Manchester
35.0%
Rio Rancho
31.9%
Rio Rancho +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Manchester
9.4%
Manchester +
Rio Rancho
10.6%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Manchester
17.4%
Rio Rancho
15.4%
Rio Rancho +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Manchester
9.9%
Manchester +
Rio Rancho
11.5%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Manchester
16.4%
Rio Rancho
15.0%
Rio Rancho +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Manchester
12.9%
Rio Rancho
10.5%
Rio Rancho +
| Metric | Manchester, NH | Rio Rancho, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 35.0% | 31.9% | Rio Rancho + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 9.4% | 10.6% | Manchester + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.4% | 15.4% | Rio Rancho + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.9% | 11.5% | Manchester + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.4% | 15.0% | Rio Rancho + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.9% | 10.5% | Rio Rancho + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Manchester
49.2°F
Manchester +
Rio Rancho
55.7°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Manchester
44.6 in
Rio Rancho
12.3 in
Rio Rancho +
| Metric | Manchester, NH | Rio Rancho, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 49.2°F | 55.7°F | Manchester + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 44.6 in | 12.3 in | Rio Rancho + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Manchester
5.9 µg/m³
Manchester +
Rio Rancho
6.1 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Manchester
75.0%
Rio Rancho
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Manchester, NH | Rio Rancho, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 5.9 µg/m³ | 6.1 µg/m³ | Manchester + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Manchester
25.7 min
Rio Rancho
19.1 min
Rio Rancho +
| Metric | Manchester, NH | Rio Rancho, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 25.7 min | 19.1 min | Rio Rancho + |
Which City is Right for You?
Manchester leads in median household income at $77,415, while rio Rancho offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $362,476. On public safety, Manchester is safer with a violent crime rate of 134 per 100,000 residents, compared to 834 in Rio Rancho. Manchester has a lower unemployment rate at 3.8%, and Manchester has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 5.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Rio Rancho scores better with a lower obesity rate of 31.9%.
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