Montgomery 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)
Montgomery, AL
Alabama · Population: 198,440
- Median HH Income$55,687
- Median Home Price$151,721
- Unemployment6.5%
- Bachelor's+33.5%
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
Montgomery
198,440
Montgomery +
Rio Rancho
47,823
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Montgomery
N/A
Rio Rancho
N/A
Median Age
Montgomery
36.2
Montgomery +
Rio Rancho
36.8
Foreign Born
Montgomery
5.5%
Rio Rancho
11.6%
Rio Rancho +
White
Montgomery
27.7%
Rio Rancho
62.2%
Rio Rancho +
Black
Montgomery
63.0%
Montgomery +
Rio Rancho
1.8%
Asian
Montgomery
3.3%
Montgomery +
Rio Rancho
1.6%
Hispanic
Montgomery
4.8%
Rio Rancho
61.1%
Rio Rancho +
Spanish at Home
Montgomery
N/A
Rio Rancho
N/A
| Metric | Montgomery, AL | Rio Rancho, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 198,440 | 47,823 | Montgomery + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.2 | 36.8 | Montgomery + |
| Foreign Born | 5.5% | 11.6% | Rio Rancho + |
| White | 27.7% | 62.2% | Rio Rancho + |
| Black | 63.0% | 1.8% | Montgomery + |
| Asian | 3.3% | 1.6% | Montgomery + |
| Hispanic | 4.8% | 61.1% | Rio Rancho + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Montgomery
$55,687
Montgomery +
Rio Rancho
$50,294
Per Capita Income
Montgomery
$32,068
Montgomery +
Rio Rancho
$28,418
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Montgomery
$51,690
Rio Rancho
$53,141
Rio Rancho +
Unemployment Rate
Montgomery
6.5%
Rio Rancho
5.9%
Rio Rancho +
Poverty Rate
Montgomery
20.9%
Montgomery +
Rio Rancho
24.2%
Bachelor's Degree+
Montgomery
33.5%
Montgomery +
Rio Rancho
19.6%
| Metric | Montgomery, AL | Rio Rancho, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $55,687 | $50,294 | Montgomery + |
| Per Capita Income | $32,068 | $28,418 | Montgomery + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $51,690 | $53,141 | Rio Rancho + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.5% | 5.9% | Rio Rancho + |
| Poverty Rate | 20.9% | 24.2% | Montgomery + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 33.5% | 19.6% | Montgomery + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Montgomery
$151,721
Montgomery +
Rio Rancho
$362,476
Homeownership Rate
Montgomery
54.3%
Rio Rancho
66.4%
Rio Rancho +
| Metric | Montgomery, AL | Rio Rancho, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $151,721 | $362,476 | Montgomery + |
| Homeownership Rate | 54.3% | 66.4% | Rio Rancho + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Montgomery
400
Montgomery +
Rio Rancho
834
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Montgomery
1734
Montgomery +
Rio Rancho
3177
| Metric | Montgomery, AL | Rio Rancho, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 400 | 834 | Montgomery + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1734 | 3177 | Montgomery + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Montgomery
46.4%
Rio Rancho
31.9%
Rio Rancho +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Montgomery
16.7%
Rio Rancho
10.6%
Rio Rancho +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Montgomery
17.6%
Rio Rancho
15.4%
Rio Rancho +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Montgomery
11.0%
Montgomery +
Rio Rancho
11.5%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Montgomery
12.4%
Montgomery +
Rio Rancho
15.0%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Montgomery
15.3%
Rio Rancho
10.5%
Rio Rancho +
| Metric | Montgomery, AL | Rio Rancho, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 46.4% | 31.9% | Rio Rancho + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 16.7% | 10.6% | Rio Rancho + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.6% | 15.4% | Rio Rancho + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.0% | 11.5% | Montgomery + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 12.4% | 15.0% | Montgomery + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 15.3% | 10.5% | Rio Rancho + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Montgomery
64.5°F
Rio Rancho
55.7°F
Rio Rancho +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Montgomery
52.8 in
Rio Rancho
12.3 in
Rio Rancho +
| Metric | Montgomery, AL | Rio Rancho, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 64.5°F | 55.7°F | Rio Rancho + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 52.8 in | 12.3 in | Rio Rancho + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Montgomery
8.8 µg/m³
Rio Rancho
6.1 µg/m³
Rio Rancho +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Montgomery
75.0%
Rio Rancho
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Montgomery, 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
Montgomery
22.0 min
Rio Rancho
19.1 min
Rio Rancho +
| Metric | Montgomery, AL | Rio Rancho, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 22.0 min | 19.1 min | Rio Rancho + |
Which City is Right for You?
Montgomery leads in median household income at $55,687, while montgomery offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $151,721. On public safety, Montgomery 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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