Mount Vernon NY 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)
Mount Vernon, NY
New York · Population: 72,528
- Median HH Income$77,171
- Median Home Price$579,771
- Unemployment6.9%
- Bachelor's+35.0%
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
Mount Vernon
72,528
Mount Vernon +
Rio Rancho
47,823
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Mount Vernon
N/A
Rio Rancho
N/A
Median Age
Mount Vernon
41.9
Rio Rancho
36.8
Rio Rancho +
Foreign Born
Mount Vernon
31.9%
Mount Vernon +
Rio Rancho
11.6%
White
Mount Vernon
16.2%
Rio Rancho
62.2%
Rio Rancho +
Black
Mount Vernon
60.4%
Mount Vernon +
Rio Rancho
1.8%
Asian
Mount Vernon
2.2%
Mount Vernon +
Rio Rancho
1.6%
Hispanic
Mount Vernon
18.3%
Rio Rancho
61.1%
Rio Rancho +
Spanish at Home
Mount Vernon
N/A
Rio Rancho
N/A
| Metric | Mount Vernon, NY | Rio Rancho, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 72,528 | 47,823 | Mount Vernon + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 41.9 | 36.8 | Rio Rancho + |
| Foreign Born | 31.9% | 11.6% | Mount Vernon + |
| White | 16.2% | 62.2% | Rio Rancho + |
| Black | 60.4% | 1.8% | Mount Vernon + |
| Asian | 2.2% | 1.6% | Mount Vernon + |
| Hispanic | 18.3% | 61.1% | Rio Rancho + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Mount Vernon
$77,171
Mount Vernon +
Rio Rancho
$50,294
Per Capita Income
Mount Vernon
$42,158
Mount Vernon +
Rio Rancho
$28,418
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Mount Vernon
$77,425
Mount Vernon +
Rio Rancho
$53,141
Unemployment Rate
Mount Vernon
6.9%
Rio Rancho
5.9%
Rio Rancho +
Poverty Rate
Mount Vernon
13.6%
Mount Vernon +
Rio Rancho
24.2%
Bachelor's Degree+
Mount Vernon
35.0%
Mount Vernon +
Rio Rancho
19.6%
| Metric | Mount Vernon, NY | Rio Rancho, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $77,171 | $50,294 | Mount Vernon + |
| Per Capita Income | $42,158 | $28,418 | Mount Vernon + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,425 | $53,141 | Mount Vernon + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.9% | 5.9% | Rio Rancho + |
| Poverty Rate | 13.6% | 24.2% | Mount Vernon + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 35.0% | 19.6% | Mount Vernon + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Mount Vernon
$579,771
Rio Rancho
$362,476
Rio Rancho +
Homeownership Rate
Mount Vernon
42.1%
Rio Rancho
66.4%
Rio Rancho +
| Metric | Mount Vernon, NY | Rio Rancho, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $579,771 | $362,476 | Rio Rancho + |
| Homeownership Rate | 42.1% | 66.4% | Rio Rancho + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Mount Vernon
434
Mount Vernon +
Rio Rancho
834
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Mount Vernon
1736
Mount Vernon +
Rio Rancho
3177
| Metric | Mount Vernon, NY | Rio Rancho, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 434 | 834 | Mount Vernon + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1736 | 3177 | Mount Vernon + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Mount Vernon
33.2%
Rio Rancho
31.9%
Rio Rancho +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Mount Vernon
13.6%
Rio Rancho
10.6%
Rio Rancho +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Mount Vernon
16.3%
Rio Rancho
15.4%
Rio Rancho +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Mount Vernon
9.3%
Mount Vernon +
Rio Rancho
11.5%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Mount Vernon
12.8%
Mount Vernon +
Rio Rancho
15.0%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Mount Vernon
12.8%
Rio Rancho
10.5%
Rio Rancho +
| Metric | Mount Vernon, NY | Rio Rancho, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 33.2% | 31.9% | Rio Rancho + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.6% | 10.6% | Rio Rancho + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.3% | 15.4% | Rio Rancho + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.3% | 11.5% | Mount Vernon + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 12.8% | 15.0% | Mount Vernon + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.8% | 10.5% | Rio Rancho + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Mount Vernon
N/A
Rio Rancho
55.7°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Mount Vernon
N/A
Rio Rancho
12.3 in
| Metric | Mount Vernon, NY | 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.)
Mount Vernon
8.1 µg/m³
Rio Rancho
6.1 µg/m³
Rio Rancho +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Mount Vernon
75.0%
Rio Rancho
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Mount Vernon, NY | 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
Mount Vernon
38.6 min
Rio Rancho
19.1 min
Rio Rancho +
| Metric | Mount Vernon, NY | Rio Rancho, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 38.6 min | 19.1 min | Rio Rancho + |
Which City is Right for You?
Mount Vernon leads in median household income at $77,171, while rio Rancho offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $362,476. On public safety, Mount Vernon is safer with a violent crime rate of 434 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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