Norwalk CA 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)
Norwalk, CA
California · Population: 100,713
- Median HH Income$98,709
- Median Home Price$765,319
- Unemployment5.6%
- Bachelor's+21.3%
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
Norwalk
100,713
Norwalk +
Rio Rancho
47,823
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Norwalk
N/A
Rio Rancho
N/A
Median Age
Norwalk
36.5
Norwalk +
Rio Rancho
36.8
Foreign Born
Norwalk
32.6%
Norwalk +
Rio Rancho
11.6%
White
Norwalk
24.0%
Rio Rancho
62.2%
Rio Rancho +
Black
Norwalk
4.2%
Norwalk +
Rio Rancho
1.8%
Asian
Norwalk
13.8%
Norwalk +
Rio Rancho
1.6%
Hispanic
Norwalk
69.5%
Norwalk +
Rio Rancho
61.1%
Spanish at Home
Norwalk
N/A
Rio Rancho
N/A
| Metric | Norwalk, CA | Rio Rancho, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 100,713 | 47,823 | Norwalk + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.5 | 36.8 | Norwalk + |
| Foreign Born | 32.6% | 11.6% | Norwalk + |
| White | 24.0% | 62.2% | Rio Rancho + |
| Black | 4.2% | 1.8% | Norwalk + |
| Asian | 13.8% | 1.6% | Norwalk + |
| Hispanic | 69.5% | 61.1% | Norwalk + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Norwalk
$98,709
Norwalk +
Rio Rancho
$50,294
Per Capita Income
Norwalk
$31,989
Norwalk +
Rio Rancho
$28,418
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Norwalk
$77,230
Norwalk +
Rio Rancho
$53,141
Unemployment Rate
Norwalk
5.6%
Norwalk +
Rio Rancho
5.9%
Poverty Rate
Norwalk
9.7%
Norwalk +
Rio Rancho
24.2%
Bachelor's Degree+
Norwalk
21.3%
Norwalk +
Rio Rancho
19.6%
| Metric | Norwalk, CA | Rio Rancho, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $98,709 | $50,294 | Norwalk + |
| Per Capita Income | $31,989 | $28,418 | Norwalk + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,230 | $53,141 | Norwalk + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.6% | 5.9% | Norwalk + |
| Poverty Rate | 9.7% | 24.2% | Norwalk + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 21.3% | 19.6% | Norwalk + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Norwalk
$765,319
Rio Rancho
$362,476
Rio Rancho +
Homeownership Rate
Norwalk
68.1%
Norwalk +
Rio Rancho
66.4%
| Metric | Norwalk, CA | Rio Rancho, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $765,319 | $362,476 | Rio Rancho + |
| Homeownership Rate | 68.1% | 66.4% | Norwalk + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Norwalk
503
Norwalk +
Rio Rancho
834
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Norwalk
2388
Norwalk +
Rio Rancho
3177
| Metric | Norwalk, CA | Rio Rancho, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 503 | 834 | Norwalk + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2388 | 3177 | Norwalk + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Norwalk
26.9%
Norwalk +
Rio Rancho
31.9%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Norwalk
12.7%
Rio Rancho
10.6%
Rio Rancho +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Norwalk
16.1%
Rio Rancho
15.4%
Rio Rancho +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Norwalk
15.4%
Rio Rancho
11.5%
Rio Rancho +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Norwalk
15.3%
Rio Rancho
15.0%
Rio Rancho +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Norwalk
10.5%
Rio Rancho
10.5%
Tie
| Metric | Norwalk, CA | Rio Rancho, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 26.9% | 31.9% | Norwalk + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.7% | 10.6% | Rio Rancho + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.1% | 15.4% | Rio Rancho + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 15.4% | 11.5% | Rio Rancho + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.3% | 15.0% | Rio Rancho + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 10.5% | 10.5% | Tie |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Norwalk
N/A
Rio Rancho
55.7°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Norwalk
N/A
Rio Rancho
12.3 in
| Metric | Norwalk, CA | 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.)
Norwalk
7.9 µg/m³
Rio Rancho
6.1 µg/m³
Rio Rancho +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Norwalk
75.0%
Rio Rancho
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Norwalk, CA | Rio Rancho, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.9 µg/m³ | 6.1 µg/m³ | Rio Rancho + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Norwalk
32.1 min
Rio Rancho
19.1 min
Rio Rancho +
| Metric | Norwalk, CA | Rio Rancho, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 32.1 min | 19.1 min | Rio Rancho + |
Which City is Right for You?
Norwalk leads in median household income at $98,709, while rio Rancho offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $362,476. On public safety, Norwalk is safer with a violent crime rate of 503 per 100,000 residents, compared to 834 in Rio Rancho. Norwalk has a lower unemployment rate at 5.6%, and Rio Rancho has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 6.1 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Norwalk scores better with a lower obesity rate of 26.9%.
Compare More Cities
New York, NY vs Norwalk, CALos Angeles, CA vs Norwalk, CAChicago, IL vs Norwalk, CAHouston, TX vs Norwalk, CANorwalk, CA vs Phoenix, AZNorwalk, CA vs Philadelphia, PA