Memphis TN 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)
Memphis, TN
Tennessee · Population: 629,063
- Median HH Income$51,211
- Median Home Price$147,306
- Unemployment8.3%
- Bachelor's+28.2%
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
Memphis
629,063
Memphis +
Rio Rancho
47,823
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Memphis
N/A
Rio Rancho
N/A
Median Age
Memphis
34.3
Memphis +
Rio Rancho
36.8
Foreign Born
Memphis
7.4%
Rio Rancho
11.6%
Rio Rancho +
White
Memphis
25.0%
Rio Rancho
62.2%
Rio Rancho +
Black
Memphis
62.9%
Memphis +
Rio Rancho
1.8%
Asian
Memphis
1.7%
Memphis +
Rio Rancho
1.6%
Hispanic
Memphis
10.2%
Rio Rancho
61.1%
Rio Rancho +
Spanish at Home
Memphis
N/A
Rio Rancho
N/A
| Metric | Memphis, TN | Rio Rancho, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 629,063 | 47,823 | Memphis + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.3 | 36.8 | Memphis + |
| Foreign Born | 7.4% | 11.6% | Rio Rancho + |
| White | 25.0% | 62.2% | Rio Rancho + |
| Black | 62.9% | 1.8% | Memphis + |
| Asian | 1.7% | 1.6% | Memphis + |
| Hispanic | 10.2% | 61.1% | Rio Rancho + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Memphis
$51,211
Memphis +
Rio Rancho
$50,294
Per Capita Income
Memphis
$32,314
Memphis +
Rio Rancho
$28,418
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Memphis
$59,097
Memphis +
Rio Rancho
$53,141
Unemployment Rate
Memphis
8.3%
Rio Rancho
5.9%
Rio Rancho +
Poverty Rate
Memphis
22.5%
Memphis +
Rio Rancho
24.2%
Bachelor's Degree+
Memphis
28.2%
Memphis +
Rio Rancho
19.6%
| Metric | Memphis, TN | Rio Rancho, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $51,211 | $50,294 | Memphis + |
| Per Capita Income | $32,314 | $28,418 | Memphis + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $59,097 | $53,141 | Memphis + |
| Unemployment Rate | 8.3% | 5.9% | Rio Rancho + |
| Poverty Rate | 22.5% | 24.2% | Memphis + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 28.2% | 19.6% | Memphis + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Memphis
$147,306
Memphis +
Rio Rancho
$362,476
Homeownership Rate
Memphis
46.0%
Rio Rancho
66.4%
Rio Rancho +
| Metric | Memphis, TN | Rio Rancho, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $147,306 | $362,476 | Memphis + |
| Homeownership Rate | 46.0% | 66.4% | Rio Rancho + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Memphis
639
Memphis +
Rio Rancho
834
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Memphis
2350
Memphis +
Rio Rancho
3177
| Metric | Memphis, TN | Rio Rancho, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 639 | 834 | Memphis + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2350 | 3177 | Memphis + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Memphis
42.1%
Rio Rancho
31.9%
Rio Rancho +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Memphis
17.6%
Rio Rancho
10.6%
Rio Rancho +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Memphis
20.7%
Rio Rancho
15.4%
Rio Rancho +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Memphis
14.9%
Rio Rancho
11.5%
Rio Rancho +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Memphis
13.5%
Memphis +
Rio Rancho
15.0%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Memphis
19.9%
Rio Rancho
10.5%
Rio Rancho +
| Metric | Memphis, TN | Rio Rancho, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 42.1% | 31.9% | Rio Rancho + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 17.6% | 10.6% | Rio Rancho + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 20.7% | 15.4% | Rio Rancho + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 14.9% | 11.5% | Rio Rancho + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 13.5% | 15.0% | Memphis + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 19.9% | 10.5% | Rio Rancho + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Memphis
60.9°F
Rio Rancho
55.7°F
Rio Rancho +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Memphis
54.9 in
Rio Rancho
12.3 in
Rio Rancho +
| Metric | Memphis, TN | Rio Rancho, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 60.9°F | 55.7°F | Rio Rancho + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 54.9 in | 12.3 in | Rio Rancho + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Memphis
8.9 µg/m³
Rio Rancho
6.1 µg/m³
Rio Rancho +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Memphis
75.0%
Rio Rancho
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Memphis, TN | Rio Rancho, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.9 µg/m³ | 6.1 µg/m³ | Rio Rancho + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Memphis
22.9 min
Rio Rancho
19.1 min
Rio Rancho +
| Metric | Memphis, TN | Rio Rancho, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 22.9 min | 19.1 min | Rio Rancho + |
Which City is Right for You?
Memphis leads in median household income at $51,211, while memphis offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $147,306. On public safety, Memphis is safer with a violent crime rate of 639 per 100,000 residents, compared to 834 in Rio Rancho. Rio Rancho has a lower unemployment rate at 5.9%, 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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