Norman OK 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)
Norman, OK
Oklahoma · Population: 128,714
- Median HH Income$65,060
- Median Home Price$264,711
- Unemployment5.7%
- Bachelor's+46.2%
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
Norman
128,714
Norman +
Rio Rancho
47,823
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Norman
N/A
Rio Rancho
N/A
Median Age
Norman
31.6
Norman +
Rio Rancho
36.8
Foreign Born
Norman
7.2%
Rio Rancho
11.6%
Rio Rancho +
White
Norman
73.0%
Norman +
Rio Rancho
62.2%
Black
Norman
5.1%
Norman +
Rio Rancho
1.8%
Asian
Norman
4.2%
Norman +
Rio Rancho
1.6%
Hispanic
Norman
9.0%
Rio Rancho
61.1%
Rio Rancho +
Spanish at Home
Norman
N/A
Rio Rancho
N/A
| Metric | Norman, OK | Rio Rancho, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 128,714 | 47,823 | Norman + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 31.6 | 36.8 | Norman + |
| Foreign Born | 7.2% | 11.6% | Rio Rancho + |
| White | 73.0% | 62.2% | Norman + |
| Black | 5.1% | 1.8% | Norman + |
| Asian | 4.2% | 1.6% | Norman + |
| Hispanic | 9.0% | 61.1% | Rio Rancho + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Norman
$65,060
Norman +
Rio Rancho
$50,294
Per Capita Income
Norman
$37,897
Norman +
Rio Rancho
$28,418
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Norman
$57,929
Norman +
Rio Rancho
$53,141
Unemployment Rate
Norman
5.7%
Norman +
Rio Rancho
5.9%
Poverty Rate
Norman
17.0%
Norman +
Rio Rancho
24.2%
Bachelor's Degree+
Norman
46.2%
Norman +
Rio Rancho
19.6%
| Metric | Norman, OK | Rio Rancho, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $65,060 | $50,294 | Norman + |
| Per Capita Income | $37,897 | $28,418 | Norman + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $57,929 | $53,141 | Norman + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.7% | 5.9% | Norman + |
| Poverty Rate | 17.0% | 24.2% | Norman + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 46.2% | 19.6% | Norman + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Norman
$264,711
Norman +
Rio Rancho
$362,476
Homeownership Rate
Norman
52.7%
Rio Rancho
66.4%
Rio Rancho +
| Metric | Norman, OK | Rio Rancho, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $264,711 | $362,476 | Norman + |
| Homeownership Rate | 52.7% | 66.4% | Rio Rancho + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Norman
429
Norman +
Rio Rancho
834
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Norman
2375
Norman +
Rio Rancho
3177
| Metric | Norman, OK | Rio Rancho, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 429 | 834 | Norman + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2375 | 3177 | Norman + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Norman
35.8%
Rio Rancho
31.9%
Rio Rancho +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Norman
9.8%
Norman +
Rio Rancho
10.6%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Norman
18.8%
Rio Rancho
15.4%
Rio Rancho +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Norman
9.2%
Norman +
Rio Rancho
11.5%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Norman
14.0%
Norman +
Rio Rancho
15.0%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Norman
12.8%
Rio Rancho
10.5%
Rio Rancho +
| Metric | Norman, OK | Rio Rancho, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 35.8% | 31.9% | Rio Rancho + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 9.8% | 10.6% | Norman + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.8% | 15.4% | Rio Rancho + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.2% | 11.5% | Norman + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.0% | 15.0% | Norman + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.8% | 10.5% | Rio Rancho + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Norman
60.2°F
Rio Rancho
55.7°F
Rio Rancho +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Norman
38.9 in
Rio Rancho
12.3 in
Rio Rancho +
| Metric | Norman, OK | Rio Rancho, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 60.2°F | 55.7°F | Rio Rancho + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 38.9 in | 12.3 in | Rio Rancho + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Norman
8.8 µg/m³
Rio Rancho
6.1 µg/m³
Rio Rancho +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Norman
75.0%
Rio Rancho
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Norman, OK | Rio Rancho, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.8 µg/m³ | 6.1 µg/m³ | Rio Rancho + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Norman
24.2 min
Rio Rancho
19.1 min
Rio Rancho +
| Metric | Norman, OK | Rio Rancho, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 24.2 min | 19.1 min | Rio Rancho + |
Which City is Right for You?
Norman leads in median household income at $65,060, while norman offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $264,711. On public safety, Norman is safer with a violent crime rate of 429 per 100,000 residents, compared to 834 in Rio Rancho. Norman has a lower unemployment rate at 5.7%, 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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