Miami Gardens FL 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)
Miami Gardens, FL
Florida · Population: 11,627
- Median HH Income$137,873
- Median Home Price$472,888
- Unemployment6.5%
- Bachelor's+64.7%
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
Miami Gardens
11,627
Rio Rancho
47,823
Rio Rancho +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Miami Gardens
N/A
Rio Rancho
N/A
Median Age
Miami Gardens
37.7
Rio Rancho
36.8
Rio Rancho +
Foreign Born
Miami Gardens
29.1%
Miami Gardens +
Rio Rancho
11.6%
White
Miami Gardens
52.5%
Rio Rancho
62.2%
Rio Rancho +
Black
Miami Gardens
15.3%
Miami Gardens +
Rio Rancho
1.8%
Asian
Miami Gardens
3.5%
Miami Gardens +
Rio Rancho
1.6%
Hispanic
Miami Gardens
34.0%
Rio Rancho
61.1%
Rio Rancho +
Spanish at Home
Miami Gardens
N/A
Rio Rancho
N/A
| Metric | Miami Gardens, FL | Rio Rancho, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 11,627 | 47,823 | Rio Rancho + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 37.7 | 36.8 | Rio Rancho + |
| Foreign Born | 29.1% | 11.6% | Miami Gardens + |
| White | 52.5% | 62.2% | Rio Rancho + |
| Black | 15.3% | 1.8% | Miami Gardens + |
| Asian | 3.5% | 1.6% | Miami Gardens + |
| Hispanic | 34.0% | 61.1% | Rio Rancho + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Miami Gardens
$137,873
Miami Gardens +
Rio Rancho
$50,294
Per Capita Income
Miami Gardens
$57,003
Miami Gardens +
Rio Rancho
$28,418
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Miami Gardens
$65,328
Miami Gardens +
Rio Rancho
$53,141
Unemployment Rate
Miami Gardens
6.5%
Rio Rancho
5.9%
Rio Rancho +
Poverty Rate
Miami Gardens
7.9%
Miami Gardens +
Rio Rancho
24.2%
Bachelor's Degree+
Miami Gardens
64.7%
Miami Gardens +
Rio Rancho
19.6%
| Metric | Miami Gardens, FL | Rio Rancho, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $137,873 | $50,294 | Miami Gardens + |
| Per Capita Income | $57,003 | $28,418 | Miami Gardens + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $65,328 | $53,141 | Miami Gardens + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.5% | 5.9% | Rio Rancho + |
| Poverty Rate | 7.9% | 24.2% | Miami Gardens + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 64.7% | 19.6% | Miami Gardens + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Miami Gardens
$472,888
Rio Rancho
$362,476
Rio Rancho +
Homeownership Rate
Miami Gardens
86.7%
Miami Gardens +
Rio Rancho
66.4%
| Metric | Miami Gardens, FL | Rio Rancho, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $472,888 | $362,476 | Rio Rancho + |
| Homeownership Rate | 86.7% | 66.4% | Miami Gardens + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Miami Gardens
324
Miami Gardens +
Rio Rancho
834
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Miami Gardens
1453
Miami Gardens +
Rio Rancho
3177
| Metric | Miami Gardens, FL | Rio Rancho, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 324 | 834 | Miami Gardens + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1453 | 3177 | Miami Gardens + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Miami Gardens
34.3%
Rio Rancho
31.9%
Rio Rancho +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Miami Gardens
17.3%
Rio Rancho
10.6%
Rio Rancho +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Miami Gardens
17.5%
Rio Rancho
15.4%
Rio Rancho +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Miami Gardens
22.4%
Rio Rancho
11.5%
Rio Rancho +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Miami Gardens
12.7%
Miami Gardens +
Rio Rancho
15.0%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Miami Gardens
15.4%
Rio Rancho
10.5%
Rio Rancho +
| Metric | Miami Gardens, FL | Rio Rancho, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 34.3% | 31.9% | Rio Rancho + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 17.3% | 10.6% | Rio Rancho + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.5% | 15.4% | Rio Rancho + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 22.4% | 11.5% | Rio Rancho + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 12.7% | 15.0% | Miami Gardens + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 15.4% | 10.5% | Rio Rancho + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Miami Gardens
N/A
Rio Rancho
55.7°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Miami Gardens
N/A
Rio Rancho
12.3 in
| Metric | Miami Gardens, FL | Rio Rancho, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 55.7°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 12.3 in | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Miami Gardens
7.2 µg/m³
Rio Rancho
6.1 µg/m³
Rio Rancho +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Miami Gardens
75.0%
Rio Rancho
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Miami Gardens, FL | Rio Rancho, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.2 µg/m³ | 6.1 µg/m³ | Rio Rancho + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Miami Gardens
29.2 min
Rio Rancho
19.1 min
Rio Rancho +
| Metric | Miami Gardens, FL | Rio Rancho, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 29.2 min | 19.1 min | Rio Rancho + |
Which City is Right for You?
Miami Gardens leads in median household income at $137,873, while rio Rancho offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $362,476. On public safety, Miami Gardens is safer with a violent crime rate of 324 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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