New Orleans LA 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 Orleans, LA
Louisiana · Population: 376,035
- Median HH Income$55,339
- Median Home Price$245,988
- Unemployment7.8%
- Bachelor's+41.9%
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 Orleans
376,035
New Orleans +
Rio Rancho
47,823
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
New Orleans
N/A
Rio Rancho
N/A
Median Age
New Orleans
38.4
Rio Rancho
36.8
Rio Rancho +
Foreign Born
New Orleans
6.6%
Rio Rancho
11.6%
Rio Rancho +
White
New Orleans
31.6%
Rio Rancho
62.2%
Rio Rancho +
Black
New Orleans
55.2%
New Orleans +
Rio Rancho
1.8%
Asian
New Orleans
2.8%
New Orleans +
Rio Rancho
1.6%
Hispanic
New Orleans
7.9%
Rio Rancho
61.1%
Rio Rancho +
Spanish at Home
New Orleans
N/A
Rio Rancho
N/A
| Metric | New Orleans, LA | Rio Rancho, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 376,035 | 47,823 | New Orleans + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 38.4 | 36.8 | Rio Rancho + |
| Foreign Born | 6.6% | 11.6% | Rio Rancho + |
| White | 31.6% | 62.2% | Rio Rancho + |
| Black | 55.2% | 1.8% | New Orleans + |
| Asian | 2.8% | 1.6% | New Orleans + |
| Hispanic | 7.9% | 61.1% | Rio Rancho + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
New Orleans
$55,339
New Orleans +
Rio Rancho
$50,294
Per Capita Income
New Orleans
$39,698
New Orleans +
Rio Rancho
$28,418
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
New Orleans
$55,297
New Orleans +
Rio Rancho
$53,141
Unemployment Rate
New Orleans
7.8%
Rio Rancho
5.9%
Rio Rancho +
Poverty Rate
New Orleans
22.6%
New Orleans +
Rio Rancho
24.2%
Bachelor's Degree+
New Orleans
41.9%
New Orleans +
Rio Rancho
19.6%
| Metric | New Orleans, LA | Rio Rancho, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $55,339 | $50,294 | New Orleans + |
| Per Capita Income | $39,698 | $28,418 | New Orleans + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $55,297 | $53,141 | New Orleans + |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.8% | 5.9% | Rio Rancho + |
| Poverty Rate | 22.6% | 24.2% | New Orleans + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 41.9% | 19.6% | New Orleans + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
New Orleans
$245,988
New Orleans +
Rio Rancho
$362,476
Homeownership Rate
New Orleans
50.5%
Rio Rancho
66.4%
Rio Rancho +
| Metric | New Orleans, LA | Rio Rancho, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $245,988 | $362,476 | New Orleans + |
| Homeownership Rate | 50.5% | 66.4% | Rio Rancho + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
New Orleans
643
New Orleans +
Rio Rancho
834
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
New Orleans
2824
New Orleans +
Rio Rancho
3177
| Metric | New Orleans, LA | Rio Rancho, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 643 | 834 | New Orleans + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2824 | 3177 | New Orleans + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
New Orleans
34.0%
Rio Rancho
31.9%
Rio Rancho +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
New Orleans
15.1%
Rio Rancho
10.6%
Rio Rancho +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
New Orleans
19.4%
Rio Rancho
15.4%
Rio Rancho +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
New Orleans
8.7%
New Orleans +
Rio Rancho
11.5%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
New Orleans
19.7%
Rio Rancho
15.0%
Rio Rancho +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
New Orleans
15.5%
Rio Rancho
10.5%
Rio Rancho +
| Metric | New Orleans, LA | Rio Rancho, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 34.0% | 31.9% | Rio Rancho + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 15.1% | 10.6% | Rio Rancho + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.4% | 15.4% | Rio Rancho + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 8.7% | 11.5% | New Orleans + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 19.7% | 15.0% | Rio Rancho + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 15.5% | 10.5% | Rio Rancho + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
New Orleans
N/A
Rio Rancho
55.7°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
New Orleans
66.6 in
Rio Rancho
12.3 in
Rio Rancho +
| Metric | New Orleans, LA | Rio Rancho, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 55.7°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 66.6 in | 12.3 in | Rio Rancho + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
New Orleans
8.9 µg/m³
Rio Rancho
6.1 µg/m³
Rio Rancho +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
New Orleans
75.0%
Rio Rancho
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | New Orleans, LA | Rio Rancho, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.9 µg/m³ | 6.1 µg/m³ | Rio Rancho + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
New Orleans
24.6 min
Rio Rancho
19.1 min
Rio Rancho +
| Metric | New Orleans, LA | Rio Rancho, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 24.6 min | 19.1 min | Rio Rancho + |
Which City is Right for You?
New Orleans leads in median household income at $55,339, while new Orleans offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $245,988. On public safety, New Orleans is safer with a violent crime rate of 643 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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