Norfolk VA 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)
Norfolk, VA
Virginia · Population: 235,037
- Median HH Income$64,017
- Median Home Price$310,519
- Unemployment6.1%
- Bachelor's+32.7%
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
Norfolk
235,037
Norfolk +
Rio Rancho
47,823
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Norfolk
N/A
Rio Rancho
N/A
Median Age
Norfolk
32.4
Norfolk +
Rio Rancho
36.8
Foreign Born
Norfolk
7.7%
Rio Rancho
11.6%
Rio Rancho +
White
Norfolk
44.0%
Rio Rancho
62.2%
Rio Rancho +
Black
Norfolk
39.8%
Norfolk +
Rio Rancho
1.8%
Asian
Norfolk
3.7%
Norfolk +
Rio Rancho
1.6%
Hispanic
Norfolk
9.9%
Rio Rancho
61.1%
Rio Rancho +
Spanish at Home
Norfolk
N/A
Rio Rancho
N/A
| Metric | Norfolk, VA | Rio Rancho, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 235,037 | 47,823 | Norfolk + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 32.4 | 36.8 | Norfolk + |
| Foreign Born | 7.7% | 11.6% | Rio Rancho + |
| White | 44.0% | 62.2% | Rio Rancho + |
| Black | 39.8% | 1.8% | Norfolk + |
| Asian | 3.7% | 1.6% | Norfolk + |
| Hispanic | 9.9% | 61.1% | Rio Rancho + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Norfolk
$64,017
Norfolk +
Rio Rancho
$50,294
Per Capita Income
Norfolk
$37,433
Norfolk +
Rio Rancho
$28,418
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Norfolk
$69,581
Norfolk +
Rio Rancho
$53,141
Unemployment Rate
Norfolk
6.1%
Rio Rancho
5.9%
Rio Rancho +
Poverty Rate
Norfolk
17.3%
Norfolk +
Rio Rancho
24.2%
Bachelor's Degree+
Norfolk
32.7%
Norfolk +
Rio Rancho
19.6%
| Metric | Norfolk, VA | Rio Rancho, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $64,017 | $50,294 | Norfolk + |
| Per Capita Income | $37,433 | $28,418 | Norfolk + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $69,581 | $53,141 | Norfolk + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.1% | 5.9% | Rio Rancho + |
| Poverty Rate | 17.3% | 24.2% | Norfolk + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 32.7% | 19.6% | Norfolk + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Norfolk
$310,519
Norfolk +
Rio Rancho
$362,476
Homeownership Rate
Norfolk
45.7%
Rio Rancho
66.4%
Rio Rancho +
| Metric | Norfolk, VA | Rio Rancho, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $310,519 | $362,476 | Norfolk + |
| Homeownership Rate | 45.7% | 66.4% | Rio Rancho + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Norfolk
240
Norfolk +
Rio Rancho
834
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Norfolk
1726
Norfolk +
Rio Rancho
3177
| Metric | Norfolk, VA | Rio Rancho, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 240 | 834 | Norfolk + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1726 | 3177 | Norfolk + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Norfolk
39.9%
Rio Rancho
31.9%
Rio Rancho +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Norfolk
12.4%
Rio Rancho
10.6%
Rio Rancho +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Norfolk
19.4%
Rio Rancho
15.4%
Rio Rancho +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Norfolk
10.9%
Norfolk +
Rio Rancho
11.5%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Norfolk
17.1%
Rio Rancho
15.0%
Rio Rancho +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Norfolk
13.7%
Rio Rancho
10.5%
Rio Rancho +
| Metric | Norfolk, VA | Rio Rancho, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 39.9% | 31.9% | Rio Rancho + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.4% | 10.6% | Rio Rancho + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.4% | 15.4% | Rio Rancho + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 10.9% | 11.5% | Norfolk + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 17.1% | 15.0% | Rio Rancho + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 13.7% | 10.5% | Rio Rancho + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Norfolk
60.6°F
Rio Rancho
55.7°F
Rio Rancho +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Norfolk
50.8 in
Rio Rancho
12.3 in
Rio Rancho +
| Metric | Norfolk, VA | Rio Rancho, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 60.6°F | 55.7°F | Rio Rancho + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 50.8 in | 12.3 in | Rio Rancho + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Norfolk
8.2 µg/m³
Rio Rancho
6.1 µg/m³
Rio Rancho +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Norfolk
75.0%
Rio Rancho
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Norfolk, VA | Rio Rancho, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.2 µg/m³ | 6.1 µg/m³ | Rio Rancho + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Norfolk
24.4 min
Rio Rancho
19.1 min
Rio Rancho +
| Metric | Norfolk, VA | Rio Rancho, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 24.4 min | 19.1 min | Rio Rancho + |
Which City is Right for You?
Norfolk leads in median household income at $64,017, while norfolk offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $310,519. On public safety, Norfolk is safer with a violent crime rate of 240 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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