New Haven CT 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 Haven, CT
Connecticut · Population: 132,893
- Median HH Income$53,771
- Median Home Price$330,564
- Unemployment7.7%
- Bachelor's+37.7%
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 Haven
132,893
New Haven +
Rio Rancho
47,823
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
New Haven
N/A
Rio Rancho
N/A
Median Age
New Haven
31.9
New Haven +
Rio Rancho
36.8
Foreign Born
New Haven
17.7%
New Haven +
Rio Rancho
11.6%
White
New Haven
36.8%
Rio Rancho
62.2%
Rio Rancho +
Black
New Haven
30.6%
New Haven +
Rio Rancho
1.8%
Asian
New Haven
5.2%
New Haven +
Rio Rancho
1.6%
Hispanic
New Haven
31.2%
Rio Rancho
61.1%
Rio Rancho +
Spanish at Home
New Haven
N/A
Rio Rancho
N/A
| Metric | New Haven, CT | Rio Rancho, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 132,893 | 47,823 | New Haven + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 31.9 | 36.8 | New Haven + |
| Foreign Born | 17.7% | 11.6% | New Haven + |
| White | 36.8% | 62.2% | Rio Rancho + |
| Black | 30.6% | 1.8% | New Haven + |
| Asian | 5.2% | 1.6% | New Haven + |
| Hispanic | 31.2% | 61.1% | Rio Rancho + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
New Haven
$53,771
New Haven +
Rio Rancho
$50,294
Per Capita Income
New Haven
$34,482
New Haven +
Rio Rancho
$28,418
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
New Haven
$85,393
New Haven +
Rio Rancho
$53,141
Unemployment Rate
New Haven
7.7%
Rio Rancho
5.9%
Rio Rancho +
Poverty Rate
New Haven
25.0%
Rio Rancho
24.2%
Rio Rancho +
Bachelor's Degree+
New Haven
37.7%
New Haven +
Rio Rancho
19.6%
| Metric | New Haven, CT | Rio Rancho, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $53,771 | $50,294 | New Haven + |
| Per Capita Income | $34,482 | $28,418 | New Haven + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $85,393 | $53,141 | New Haven + |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.7% | 5.9% | Rio Rancho + |
| Poverty Rate | 25.0% | 24.2% | Rio Rancho + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 37.7% | 19.6% | New Haven + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
New Haven
$330,564
New Haven +
Rio Rancho
$362,476
Homeownership Rate
New Haven
28.4%
Rio Rancho
66.4%
Rio Rancho +
| Metric | New Haven, CT | Rio Rancho, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $330,564 | $362,476 | New Haven + |
| Homeownership Rate | 28.4% | 66.4% | Rio Rancho + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
New Haven
156
New Haven +
Rio Rancho
834
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
New Haven
1524
New Haven +
Rio Rancho
3177
| Metric | New Haven, CT | Rio Rancho, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 156 | 834 | New Haven + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1524 | 3177 | New Haven + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
New Haven
37.9%
Rio Rancho
31.9%
Rio Rancho +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
New Haven
11.7%
Rio Rancho
10.6%
Rio Rancho +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
New Haven
18.9%
Rio Rancho
15.4%
Rio Rancho +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
New Haven
14.7%
Rio Rancho
11.5%
Rio Rancho +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
New Haven
14.2%
New Haven +
Rio Rancho
15.0%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
New Haven
13.2%
Rio Rancho
10.5%
Rio Rancho +
| Metric | New Haven, CT | Rio Rancho, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 37.9% | 31.9% | Rio Rancho + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.7% | 10.6% | Rio Rancho + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.9% | 15.4% | Rio Rancho + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 14.7% | 11.5% | Rio Rancho + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.2% | 15.0% | New Haven + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 13.2% | 10.5% | Rio Rancho + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
New Haven
52.2°F
New Haven +
Rio Rancho
55.7°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
New Haven
47.1 in
Rio Rancho
12.3 in
Rio Rancho +
| Metric | New Haven, CT | Rio Rancho, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 52.2°F | 55.7°F | New Haven + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 47.1 in | 12.3 in | Rio Rancho + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
New Haven
7.7 µg/m³
Rio Rancho
6.1 µg/m³
Rio Rancho +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
New Haven
75.0%
Rio Rancho
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | New Haven, CT | Rio Rancho, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.7 µg/m³ | 6.1 µg/m³ | Rio Rancho + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
New Haven
23.0 min
Rio Rancho
19.1 min
Rio Rancho +
| Metric | New Haven, CT | Rio Rancho, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 23.0 min | 19.1 min | Rio Rancho + |
Which City is Right for You?
New Haven leads in median household income at $53,771, while new Haven offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $330,564. On public safety, New Haven is safer with a violent crime rate of 156 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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