New Braunfels TX 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)
New Braunfels, TX
Texas · Population: 267
- Median HH Income$74,643
- Median Home Price$352,129
- UnemploymentN/A
- Bachelor's+1.8%
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
New Braunfels
267
Rio Rancho
47,823
Rio Rancho +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
New Braunfels
N/A
Rio Rancho
N/A
Median Age
New Braunfels
39.4
Rio Rancho
36.8
Rio Rancho +
Foreign Born
New Braunfels
8.2%
Rio Rancho
11.6%
Rio Rancho +
White
New Braunfels
84.3%
New Braunfels +
Rio Rancho
62.2%
Black
New Braunfels
0.0%
Rio Rancho
1.8%
Rio Rancho +
Asian
New Braunfels
0.0%
Rio Rancho
1.6%
Rio Rancho +
Hispanic
New Braunfels
15.7%
Rio Rancho
61.1%
Rio Rancho +
Spanish at Home
New Braunfels
N/A
Rio Rancho
N/A
| Metric | New Braunfels, TX | Rio Rancho, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 267 | 47,823 | Rio Rancho + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 39.4 | 36.8 | Rio Rancho + |
| Foreign Born | 8.2% | 11.6% | Rio Rancho + |
| White | 84.3% | 62.2% | New Braunfels + |
| Black | 0.0% | 1.8% | Rio Rancho + |
| Asian | 0.0% | 1.6% | Rio Rancho + |
| Hispanic | 15.7% | 61.1% | Rio Rancho + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
New Braunfels
$74,643
New Braunfels +
Rio Rancho
$50,294
Per Capita Income
New Braunfels
$21,360
Rio Rancho
$28,418
Rio Rancho +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
New Braunfels
$63,758
New Braunfels +
Rio Rancho
$53,141
Unemployment Rate
New Braunfels
N/A
Rio Rancho
5.9%
Poverty Rate
New Braunfels
N/A
Rio Rancho
24.2%
Bachelor's Degree+
New Braunfels
1.8%
Rio Rancho
19.6%
Rio Rancho +
| Metric | New Braunfels, TX | Rio Rancho, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $74,643 | $50,294 | New Braunfels + |
| Per Capita Income | $21,360 | $28,418 | Rio Rancho + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $63,758 | $53,141 | New Braunfels + |
| Unemployment Rate | N/A | 5.9% | - |
| Poverty Rate | N/A | 24.2% | - |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 1.8% | 19.6% | Rio Rancho + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
New Braunfels
$352,129
New Braunfels +
Rio Rancho
$362,476
Homeownership Rate
New Braunfels
90.8%
New Braunfels +
Rio Rancho
66.4%
| Metric | New Braunfels, TX | Rio Rancho, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $352,129 | $362,476 | New Braunfels + |
| Homeownership Rate | 90.8% | 66.4% | New Braunfels + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
New Braunfels
442
New Braunfels +
Rio Rancho
834
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
New Braunfels
2339
New Braunfels +
Rio Rancho
3177
| Metric | New Braunfels, TX | Rio Rancho, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 442 | 834 | New Braunfels + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2339 | 3177 | New Braunfels + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
New Braunfels
34.6%
Rio Rancho
31.9%
Rio Rancho +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
New Braunfels
10.6%
Rio Rancho
10.6%
Tie
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
New Braunfels
16.0%
Rio Rancho
15.4%
Rio Rancho +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
New Braunfels
15.2%
Rio Rancho
11.5%
Rio Rancho +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
New Braunfels
19.1%
Rio Rancho
15.0%
Rio Rancho +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
New Braunfels
11.0%
Rio Rancho
10.5%
Rio Rancho +
| Metric | New Braunfels, TX | Rio Rancho, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 34.6% | 31.9% | Rio Rancho + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 10.6% | 10.6% | Tie |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.0% | 15.4% | Rio Rancho + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 15.2% | 11.5% | Rio Rancho + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 19.1% | 15.0% | Rio Rancho + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 11.0% | 10.5% | Rio Rancho + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
New Braunfels
67.4°F
Rio Rancho
55.7°F
Rio Rancho +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
New Braunfels
34.0 in
Rio Rancho
12.3 in
Rio Rancho +
| Metric | New Braunfels, TX | Rio Rancho, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 67.4°F | 55.7°F | Rio Rancho + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 34.0 in | 12.3 in | Rio Rancho + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
New Braunfels
9.2 µg/m³
Rio Rancho
6.1 µg/m³
Rio Rancho +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
New Braunfels
55.0%
Rio Rancho
75.0%
Rio Rancho +
| Metric | New Braunfels, TX | Rio Rancho, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.2 µg/m³ | 6.1 µg/m³ | Rio Rancho + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Rio Rancho + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
New Braunfels
19.6 min
Rio Rancho
19.1 min
Rio Rancho +
| Metric | New Braunfels, TX | Rio Rancho, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 19.6 min | 19.1 min | Rio Rancho + |
Which City is Right for You?
New Braunfels leads in median household income at $74,643, while new Braunfels offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $352,129. On public safety, New Braunfels is safer with a violent crime rate of 442 per 100,000 residents, compared to 834 in Rio Rancho. 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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