North Las Vegas NV 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)
North Las Vegas, NV
Nevada · Population: 186,178
- Median HH Income$58,874
- Median Home Price$407,146
- Unemployment9.4%
- Bachelor's+23.9%
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
North Las Vegas
186,178
North Las Vegas +
Rio Rancho
47,823
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
North Las Vegas
N/A
Rio Rancho
N/A
Median Age
North Las Vegas
39.0
Rio Rancho
36.8
Rio Rancho +
Foreign Born
North Las Vegas
26.0%
North Las Vegas +
Rio Rancho
11.6%
White
North Las Vegas
43.6%
Rio Rancho
62.2%
Rio Rancho +
Black
North Las Vegas
11.3%
North Las Vegas +
Rio Rancho
1.8%
Asian
North Las Vegas
11.4%
North Las Vegas +
Rio Rancho
1.6%
Hispanic
North Las Vegas
34.6%
Rio Rancho
61.1%
Rio Rancho +
Spanish at Home
North Las Vegas
N/A
Rio Rancho
N/A
| Metric | North Las Vegas, NV | Rio Rancho, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 186,178 | 47,823 | North Las Vegas + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 39.0 | 36.8 | Rio Rancho + |
| Foreign Born | 26.0% | 11.6% | North Las Vegas + |
| White | 43.6% | 62.2% | Rio Rancho + |
| Black | 11.3% | 1.8% | North Las Vegas + |
| Asian | 11.4% | 1.6% | North Las Vegas + |
| Hispanic | 34.6% | 61.1% | Rio Rancho + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
North Las Vegas
$58,874
North Las Vegas +
Rio Rancho
$50,294
Per Capita Income
North Las Vegas
$35,069
North Las Vegas +
Rio Rancho
$28,418
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
North Las Vegas
$62,696
North Las Vegas +
Rio Rancho
$53,141
Unemployment Rate
North Las Vegas
9.4%
Rio Rancho
5.9%
Rio Rancho +
Poverty Rate
North Las Vegas
16.8%
North Las Vegas +
Rio Rancho
24.2%
Bachelor's Degree+
North Las Vegas
23.9%
North Las Vegas +
Rio Rancho
19.6%
| Metric | North Las Vegas, NV | Rio Rancho, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $58,874 | $50,294 | North Las Vegas + |
| Per Capita Income | $35,069 | $28,418 | North Las Vegas + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $62,696 | $53,141 | North Las Vegas + |
| Unemployment Rate | 9.4% | 5.9% | Rio Rancho + |
| Poverty Rate | 16.8% | 24.2% | North Las Vegas + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 23.9% | 19.6% | North Las Vegas + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
North Las Vegas
$407,146
Rio Rancho
$362,476
Rio Rancho +
Homeownership Rate
North Las Vegas
41.2%
Rio Rancho
66.4%
Rio Rancho +
| Metric | North Las Vegas, NV | Rio Rancho, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $407,146 | $362,476 | Rio Rancho + |
| Homeownership Rate | 41.2% | 66.4% | Rio Rancho + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
North Las Vegas
460
North Las Vegas +
Rio Rancho
834
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
North Las Vegas
2417
North Las Vegas +
Rio Rancho
3177
| Metric | North Las Vegas, NV | Rio Rancho, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 460 | 834 | North Las Vegas + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2417 | 3177 | North Las Vegas + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
North Las Vegas
33.8%
Rio Rancho
31.9%
Rio Rancho +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
North Las Vegas
12.2%
Rio Rancho
10.6%
Rio Rancho +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
North Las Vegas
20.7%
Rio Rancho
15.4%
Rio Rancho +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
North Las Vegas
19.6%
Rio Rancho
11.5%
Rio Rancho +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
North Las Vegas
15.6%
Rio Rancho
15.0%
Rio Rancho +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
North Las Vegas
16.1%
Rio Rancho
10.5%
Rio Rancho +
| Metric | North Las Vegas, NV | Rio Rancho, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 33.8% | 31.9% | Rio Rancho + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.2% | 10.6% | Rio Rancho + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 20.7% | 15.4% | Rio Rancho + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 19.6% | 11.5% | Rio Rancho + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.6% | 15.0% | Rio Rancho + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 16.1% | 10.5% | Rio Rancho + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
North Las Vegas
68.8°F
Rio Rancho
55.7°F
Rio Rancho +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
North Las Vegas
4.7 in
North Las Vegas +
Rio Rancho
12.3 in
| Metric | North Las Vegas, NV | Rio Rancho, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 68.8°F | 55.7°F | Rio Rancho + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 4.7 in | 12.3 in | North Las Vegas + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
North Las Vegas
5.2 µg/m³
North Las Vegas +
Rio Rancho
6.1 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
North Las Vegas
75.0%
Rio Rancho
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | North Las Vegas, NV | Rio Rancho, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 5.2 µg/m³ | 6.1 µg/m³ | North Las Vegas + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
North Las Vegas
24.6 min
Rio Rancho
19.1 min
Rio Rancho +
| Metric | North Las Vegas, NV | Rio Rancho, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 24.6 min | 19.1 min | Rio Rancho + |
Which City is Right for You?
North Las Vegas leads in median household income at $58,874, while rio Rancho offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $362,476. On public safety, North Las Vegas is safer with a violent crime rate of 460 per 100,000 residents, compared to 834 in Rio Rancho. Rio Rancho has a lower unemployment rate at 5.9%, and North Las Vegas has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 5.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Rio Rancho scores better with a lower obesity rate of 31.9%.
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