Mesa AZ 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)
Mesa, AZ
Arizona · Population: 507,478
- Median HH Income$78,779
- Median Home Price$435,670
- Unemployment4.6%
- Bachelor's+31.5%
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
Mesa
507,478
Mesa +
Rio Rancho
47,823
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Mesa
N/A
Rio Rancho
N/A
Median Age
Mesa
37.2
Rio Rancho
36.8
Rio Rancho +
Foreign Born
Mesa
11.2%
Rio Rancho
11.6%
Rio Rancho +
White
Mesa
69.7%
Mesa +
Rio Rancho
62.2%
Black
Mesa
4.4%
Mesa +
Rio Rancho
1.8%
Asian
Mesa
2.5%
Mesa +
Rio Rancho
1.6%
Hispanic
Mesa
26.6%
Rio Rancho
61.1%
Rio Rancho +
Spanish at Home
Mesa
N/A
Rio Rancho
N/A
| Metric | Mesa, AZ | Rio Rancho, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 507,478 | 47,823 | Mesa + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 37.2 | 36.8 | Rio Rancho + |
| Foreign Born | 11.2% | 11.6% | Rio Rancho + |
| White | 69.7% | 62.2% | Mesa + |
| Black | 4.4% | 1.8% | Mesa + |
| Asian | 2.5% | 1.6% | Mesa + |
| Hispanic | 26.6% | 61.1% | Rio Rancho + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Mesa
$78,779
Mesa +
Rio Rancho
$50,294
Per Capita Income
Mesa
$39,586
Mesa +
Rio Rancho
$28,418
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Mesa
$59,120
Mesa +
Rio Rancho
$53,141
Unemployment Rate
Mesa
4.6%
Mesa +
Rio Rancho
5.9%
Poverty Rate
Mesa
10.5%
Mesa +
Rio Rancho
24.2%
Bachelor's Degree+
Mesa
31.5%
Mesa +
Rio Rancho
19.6%
| Metric | Mesa, AZ | Rio Rancho, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $78,779 | $50,294 | Mesa + |
| Per Capita Income | $39,586 | $28,418 | Mesa + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $59,120 | $53,141 | Mesa + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.6% | 5.9% | Mesa + |
| Poverty Rate | 10.5% | 24.2% | Mesa + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 31.5% | 19.6% | Mesa + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Mesa
$435,670
Rio Rancho
$362,476
Rio Rancho +
Homeownership Rate
Mesa
64.3%
Rio Rancho
66.4%
Rio Rancho +
| Metric | Mesa, AZ | Rio Rancho, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $435,670 | $362,476 | Rio Rancho + |
| Homeownership Rate | 64.3% | 66.4% | Rio Rancho + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Mesa
450
Mesa +
Rio Rancho
834
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Mesa
2150
Mesa +
Rio Rancho
3177
| Metric | Mesa, AZ | Rio Rancho, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 450 | 834 | Mesa + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2150 | 3177 | Mesa + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Mesa
30.7%
Mesa +
Rio Rancho
31.9%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Mesa
10.6%
Rio Rancho
10.6%
Tie
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Mesa
15.5%
Rio Rancho
15.4%
Rio Rancho +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Mesa
13.0%
Rio Rancho
11.5%
Rio Rancho +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Mesa
16.1%
Rio Rancho
15.0%
Rio Rancho +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Mesa
11.4%
Rio Rancho
10.5%
Rio Rancho +
| Metric | Mesa, AZ | Rio Rancho, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 30.7% | 31.9% | Mesa + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 10.6% | 10.6% | Tie |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 15.5% | 15.4% | Rio Rancho + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 13.0% | 11.5% | Rio Rancho + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.1% | 15.0% | Rio Rancho + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 11.4% | 10.5% | Rio Rancho + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Mesa
71.8°F
Rio Rancho
55.7°F
Rio Rancho +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Mesa
11.7 in
Mesa +
Rio Rancho
12.3 in
| Metric | Mesa, AZ | Rio Rancho, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 71.8°F | 55.7°F | Rio Rancho + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 11.7 in | 12.3 in | Mesa + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Mesa
7.1 µg/m³
Rio Rancho
6.1 µg/m³
Rio Rancho +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Mesa
75.0%
Rio Rancho
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Mesa, AZ | Rio Rancho, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.1 µg/m³ | 6.1 µg/m³ | Rio Rancho + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Mesa
26.7 min
Rio Rancho
19.1 min
Rio Rancho +
| Metric | Mesa, AZ | Rio Rancho, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 26.7 min | 19.1 min | Rio Rancho + |
Which City is Right for You?
Mesa leads in median household income at $78,779, while rio Rancho offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $362,476. On public safety, Mesa is safer with a violent crime rate of 450 per 100,000 residents, compared to 834 in Rio Rancho. Mesa has a lower unemployment rate at 4.6%, and Rio Rancho has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 6.1 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Mesa scores better with a lower obesity rate of 30.7%.
Compare More Cities
Mesa, AZ vs New York, NYLos Angeles, CA vs Mesa, AZChicago, IL vs Mesa, AZHouston, TX vs Mesa, AZMesa, AZ vs Phoenix, AZMesa, AZ vs Philadelphia, PA