Mobile AL 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)
Mobile, AL
Alabama · Population: 185,097
- Median HH Income$51,090
- Median Home Price$197,044
- Unemployment5.9%
- 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
Mobile
185,097
Mobile +
Rio Rancho
47,823
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Mobile
N/A
Rio Rancho
N/A
Median Age
Mobile
37.7
Rio Rancho
36.8
Rio Rancho +
Foreign Born
Mobile
3.8%
Rio Rancho
11.6%
Rio Rancho +
White
Mobile
39.9%
Rio Rancho
62.2%
Rio Rancho +
Black
Mobile
52.9%
Mobile +
Rio Rancho
1.8%
Asian
Mobile
2.1%
Mobile +
Rio Rancho
1.6%
Hispanic
Mobile
3.1%
Rio Rancho
61.1%
Rio Rancho +
Spanish at Home
Mobile
N/A
Rio Rancho
N/A
| Metric | Mobile, AL | Rio Rancho, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 185,097 | 47,823 | Mobile + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 37.7 | 36.8 | Rio Rancho + |
| Foreign Born | 3.8% | 11.6% | Rio Rancho + |
| White | 39.9% | 62.2% | Rio Rancho + |
| Black | 52.9% | 1.8% | Mobile + |
| Asian | 2.1% | 1.6% | Mobile + |
| Hispanic | 3.1% | 61.1% | Rio Rancho + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Mobile
$51,090
Mobile +
Rio Rancho
$50,294
Per Capita Income
Mobile
$32,893
Mobile +
Rio Rancho
$28,418
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Mobile
$51,690
Rio Rancho
$53,141
Rio Rancho +
Unemployment Rate
Mobile
5.9%
Rio Rancho
5.9%
Rio Rancho +
Poverty Rate
Mobile
18.9%
Mobile +
Rio Rancho
24.2%
Bachelor's Degree+
Mobile
31.5%
Mobile +
Rio Rancho
19.6%
| Metric | Mobile, AL | Rio Rancho, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $51,090 | $50,294 | Mobile + |
| Per Capita Income | $32,893 | $28,418 | Mobile + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $51,690 | $53,141 | Rio Rancho + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.9% | 5.9% | Rio Rancho + |
| Poverty Rate | 18.9% | 24.2% | Mobile + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 31.5% | 19.6% | Mobile + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Mobile
$197,044
Mobile +
Rio Rancho
$362,476
Homeownership Rate
Mobile
51.4%
Rio Rancho
66.4%
Rio Rancho +
| Metric | Mobile, AL | Rio Rancho, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $197,044 | $362,476 | Mobile + |
| Homeownership Rate | 51.4% | 66.4% | Rio Rancho + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Mobile
400
Mobile +
Rio Rancho
834
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Mobile
1734
Mobile +
Rio Rancho
3177
| Metric | Mobile, AL | Rio Rancho, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 400 | 834 | Mobile + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1734 | 3177 | Mobile + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Mobile
40.0%
Rio Rancho
31.9%
Rio Rancho +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Mobile
17.0%
Rio Rancho
10.6%
Rio Rancho +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Mobile
17.3%
Rio Rancho
15.4%
Rio Rancho +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Mobile
10.2%
Mobile +
Rio Rancho
11.5%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Mobile
13.1%
Mobile +
Rio Rancho
15.0%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Mobile
14.9%
Rio Rancho
10.5%
Rio Rancho +
| Metric | Mobile, AL | Rio Rancho, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 40.0% | 31.9% | Rio Rancho + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 17.0% | 10.6% | Rio Rancho + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.3% | 15.4% | Rio Rancho + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 10.2% | 11.5% | Mobile + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 13.1% | 15.0% | Mobile + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 14.9% | 10.5% | Rio Rancho + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Mobile
67.4°F
Rio Rancho
55.7°F
Rio Rancho +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Mobile
65.3 in
Rio Rancho
12.3 in
Rio Rancho +
| Metric | Mobile, AL | Rio Rancho, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 67.4°F | 55.7°F | Rio Rancho + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 65.3 in | 12.3 in | Rio Rancho + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Mobile
8.8 µg/m³
Rio Rancho
6.1 µg/m³
Rio Rancho +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Mobile
75.0%
Rio Rancho
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Mobile, AL | Rio Rancho, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.8 µg/m³ | 6.1 µg/m³ | Rio Rancho + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Mobile
24.5 min
Rio Rancho
19.1 min
Rio Rancho +
| Metric | Mobile, AL | Rio Rancho, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 24.5 min | 19.1 min | Rio Rancho + |
Which City is Right for You?
Mobile leads in median household income at $51,090, while mobile offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $197,044. On public safety, Mobile is safer with a violent crime rate of 400 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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