New Rochelle 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)
New Rochelle, NY
New York · Population: 48,198
- Median HH Income$48,535
- Median Home Price$920,484
- Unemployment9.7%
- Bachelor's+22.8%
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 Rochelle
48,198
New Rochelle +
Rio Rancho
47,823
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
New Rochelle
N/A
Rio Rancho
N/A
Median Age
New Rochelle
40.7
Rio Rancho
36.8
Rio Rancho +
Foreign Born
New Rochelle
4.6%
Rio Rancho
11.6%
Rio Rancho +
White
New Rochelle
66.1%
New Rochelle +
Rio Rancho
62.2%
Black
New Rochelle
17.8%
New Rochelle +
Rio Rancho
1.8%
Asian
New Rochelle
2.3%
New Rochelle +
Rio Rancho
1.6%
Hispanic
New Rochelle
8.0%
Rio Rancho
61.1%
Rio Rancho +
Spanish at Home
New Rochelle
N/A
Rio Rancho
N/A
| Metric | New Rochelle, NY | Rio Rancho, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 48,198 | 47,823 | New Rochelle + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 40.7 | 36.8 | Rio Rancho + |
| Foreign Born | 4.6% | 11.6% | Rio Rancho + |
| White | 66.1% | 62.2% | New Rochelle + |
| Black | 17.8% | 1.8% | New Rochelle + |
| Asian | 2.3% | 1.6% | New Rochelle + |
| Hispanic | 8.0% | 61.1% | Rio Rancho + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
New Rochelle
$48,535
Rio Rancho
$50,294
Rio Rancho +
Per Capita Income
New Rochelle
$30,033
New Rochelle +
Rio Rancho
$28,418
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
New Rochelle
$77,425
New Rochelle +
Rio Rancho
$53,141
Unemployment Rate
New Rochelle
9.7%
Rio Rancho
5.9%
Rio Rancho +
Poverty Rate
New Rochelle
23.7%
New Rochelle +
Rio Rancho
24.2%
Bachelor's Degree+
New Rochelle
22.8%
New Rochelle +
Rio Rancho
19.6%
| Metric | New Rochelle, NY | Rio Rancho, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $48,535 | $50,294 | Rio Rancho + |
| Per Capita Income | $30,033 | $28,418 | New Rochelle + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,425 | $53,141 | New Rochelle + |
| Unemployment Rate | 9.7% | 5.9% | Rio Rancho + |
| Poverty Rate | 23.7% | 24.2% | New Rochelle + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 22.8% | 19.6% | New Rochelle + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
New Rochelle
$920,484
Rio Rancho
$362,476
Rio Rancho +
Homeownership Rate
New Rochelle
57.5%
Rio Rancho
66.4%
Rio Rancho +
| Metric | New Rochelle, NY | Rio Rancho, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $920,484 | $362,476 | Rio Rancho + |
| Homeownership Rate | 57.5% | 66.4% | Rio Rancho + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
New Rochelle
434
New Rochelle +
Rio Rancho
834
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
New Rochelle
1736
New Rochelle +
Rio Rancho
3177
| Metric | New Rochelle, NY | Rio Rancho, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 434 | 834 | New Rochelle + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1736 | 3177 | New Rochelle + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
New Rochelle
26.6%
New Rochelle +
Rio Rancho
31.9%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
New Rochelle
10.6%
Rio Rancho
10.6%
Tie
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
New Rochelle
13.8%
New Rochelle +
Rio Rancho
15.4%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
New Rochelle
9.5%
New Rochelle +
Rio Rancho
11.5%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
New Rochelle
14.9%
New Rochelle +
Rio Rancho
15.0%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
New Rochelle
9.3%
New Rochelle +
Rio Rancho
10.5%
| Metric | New Rochelle, NY | Rio Rancho, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 26.6% | 31.9% | New Rochelle + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 10.6% | 10.6% | Tie |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 13.8% | 15.4% | New Rochelle + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.5% | 11.5% | New Rochelle + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.9% | 15.0% | New Rochelle + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 9.3% | 10.5% | New Rochelle + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
New Rochelle
N/A
Rio Rancho
55.7°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
New Rochelle
N/A
Rio Rancho
12.3 in
| Metric | New Rochelle, 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.)
New Rochelle
8.1 µg/m³
Rio Rancho
6.1 µg/m³
Rio Rancho +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
New Rochelle
75.0%
Rio Rancho
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | New Rochelle, 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
New Rochelle
20.0 min
Rio Rancho
19.1 min
Rio Rancho +
| Metric | New Rochelle, NY | Rio Rancho, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 20.0 min | 19.1 min | Rio Rancho + |
Which City is Right for You?
Rio Rancho leads in median household income at $50,294, while rio Rancho offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $362,476. On public safety, New Rochelle 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, New Rochelle scores better with a lower obesity rate of 26.6%.
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