Minneapolis MN 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)
Minneapolis, MN
Minnesota · Population: 426,845
- Median HH Income$80,269
- Median Home Price$334,719
- Unemployment5.7%
- Bachelor's+54.4%
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
Minneapolis
426,845
Minneapolis +
Rio Rancho
47,823
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Minneapolis
N/A
Rio Rancho
N/A
Median Age
Minneapolis
33.0
Minneapolis +
Rio Rancho
36.8
Foreign Born
Minneapolis
14.1%
Minneapolis +
Rio Rancho
11.6%
White
Minneapolis
61.6%
Rio Rancho
62.2%
Rio Rancho +
Black
Minneapolis
18.3%
Minneapolis +
Rio Rancho
1.8%
Asian
Minneapolis
5.2%
Minneapolis +
Rio Rancho
1.6%
Hispanic
Minneapolis
10.5%
Rio Rancho
61.1%
Rio Rancho +
Spanish at Home
Minneapolis
N/A
Rio Rancho
N/A
| Metric | Minneapolis, MN | Rio Rancho, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 426,845 | 47,823 | Minneapolis + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 33.0 | 36.8 | Minneapolis + |
| Foreign Born | 14.1% | 11.6% | Minneapolis + |
| White | 61.6% | 62.2% | Rio Rancho + |
| Black | 18.3% | 1.8% | Minneapolis + |
| Asian | 5.2% | 1.6% | Minneapolis + |
| Hispanic | 10.5% | 61.1% | Rio Rancho + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Minneapolis
$80,269
Minneapolis +
Rio Rancho
$50,294
Per Capita Income
Minneapolis
$50,605
Minneapolis +
Rio Rancho
$28,418
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Minneapolis
$69,467
Minneapolis +
Rio Rancho
$53,141
Unemployment Rate
Minneapolis
5.7%
Minneapolis +
Rio Rancho
5.9%
Poverty Rate
Minneapolis
16.4%
Minneapolis +
Rio Rancho
24.2%
Bachelor's Degree+
Minneapolis
54.4%
Minneapolis +
Rio Rancho
19.6%
| Metric | Minneapolis, MN | Rio Rancho, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $80,269 | $50,294 | Minneapolis + |
| Per Capita Income | $50,605 | $28,418 | Minneapolis + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $69,467 | $53,141 | Minneapolis + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.7% | 5.9% | Minneapolis + |
| Poverty Rate | 16.4% | 24.2% | Minneapolis + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 54.4% | 19.6% | Minneapolis + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Minneapolis
$334,719
Minneapolis +
Rio Rancho
$362,476
Homeownership Rate
Minneapolis
48.0%
Rio Rancho
66.4%
Rio Rancho +
| Metric | Minneapolis, MN | Rio Rancho, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $334,719 | $362,476 | Minneapolis + |
| Homeownership Rate | 48.0% | 66.4% | Rio Rancho + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Minneapolis
284
Minneapolis +
Rio Rancho
834
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Minneapolis
1992
Minneapolis +
Rio Rancho
3177
| Metric | Minneapolis, MN | Rio Rancho, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 284 | 834 | Minneapolis + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1992 | 3177 | Minneapolis + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Minneapolis
28.6%
Minneapolis +
Rio Rancho
31.9%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Minneapolis
7.4%
Minneapolis +
Rio Rancho
10.6%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Minneapolis
17.1%
Rio Rancho
15.4%
Rio Rancho +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Minneapolis
9.9%
Minneapolis +
Rio Rancho
11.5%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Minneapolis
19.8%
Rio Rancho
15.0%
Rio Rancho +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Minneapolis
12.7%
Rio Rancho
10.5%
Rio Rancho +
| Metric | Minneapolis, MN | Rio Rancho, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 28.6% | 31.9% | Minneapolis + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 7.4% | 10.6% | Minneapolis + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.1% | 15.4% | Rio Rancho + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.9% | 11.5% | Minneapolis + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 19.8% | 15.0% | Rio Rancho + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.7% | 10.5% | Rio Rancho + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Minneapolis
46.3°F
Minneapolis +
Rio Rancho
55.7°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Minneapolis
30.6 in
Rio Rancho
12.3 in
Rio Rancho +
| Metric | Minneapolis, MN | Rio Rancho, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 46.3°F | 55.7°F | Minneapolis + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 30.6 in | 12.3 in | Rio Rancho + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Minneapolis
8.1 µg/m³
Rio Rancho
6.1 µg/m³
Rio Rancho +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Minneapolis
75.0%
Rio Rancho
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Minneapolis, MN | Rio Rancho, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.1 µg/m³ | 6.1 µg/m³ | Rio Rancho + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Minneapolis
24.2 min
Rio Rancho
19.1 min
Rio Rancho +
| Metric | Minneapolis, MN | Rio Rancho, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 24.2 min | 19.1 min | Rio Rancho + |
Which City is Right for You?
Minneapolis leads in median household income at $80,269, while minneapolis offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $334,719. On public safety, Minneapolis is safer with a violent crime rate of 284 per 100,000 residents, compared to 834 in Rio Rancho. Minneapolis has a lower unemployment rate at 5.7%, and Rio Rancho has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 6.1 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Minneapolis scores better with a lower obesity rate of 28.6%.
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