Odessa TX 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)
Odessa, TX
Texas · Population: 114,080
- Median HH Income$73,030
- Median Home Price$253,423
- Unemployment5.5%
- Bachelor's+18.3%
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
Odessa
114,080
Odessa +
Rio Rancho
47,823
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Odessa
N/A
Rio Rancho
N/A
Median Age
Odessa
31.0
Odessa +
Rio Rancho
36.8
Foreign Born
Odessa
14.5%
Odessa +
Rio Rancho
11.6%
White
Odessa
51.9%
Rio Rancho
62.2%
Rio Rancho +
Black
Odessa
6.8%
Odessa +
Rio Rancho
1.8%
Asian
Odessa
1.9%
Odessa +
Rio Rancho
1.6%
Hispanic
Odessa
61.2%
Odessa +
Rio Rancho
61.1%
Spanish at Home
Odessa
N/A
Rio Rancho
N/A
| Metric | Odessa, TX | Rio Rancho, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 114,080 | 47,823 | Odessa + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 31.0 | 36.8 | Odessa + |
| Foreign Born | 14.5% | 11.6% | Odessa + |
| White | 51.9% | 62.2% | Rio Rancho + |
| Black | 6.8% | 1.8% | Odessa + |
| Asian | 1.9% | 1.6% | Odessa + |
| Hispanic | 61.2% | 61.1% | Odessa + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Odessa
$73,030
Odessa +
Rio Rancho
$50,294
Per Capita Income
Odessa
$35,655
Odessa +
Rio Rancho
$28,418
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Odessa
$63,758
Odessa +
Rio Rancho
$53,141
Unemployment Rate
Odessa
5.5%
Odessa +
Rio Rancho
5.9%
Poverty Rate
Odessa
14.4%
Odessa +
Rio Rancho
24.2%
Bachelor's Degree+
Odessa
18.3%
Rio Rancho
19.6%
Rio Rancho +
| Metric | Odessa, TX | Rio Rancho, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $73,030 | $50,294 | Odessa + |
| Per Capita Income | $35,655 | $28,418 | Odessa + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $63,758 | $53,141 | Odessa + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.5% | 5.9% | Odessa + |
| Poverty Rate | 14.4% | 24.2% | Odessa + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 18.3% | 19.6% | Rio Rancho + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Odessa
$253,423
Odessa +
Rio Rancho
$362,476
Homeownership Rate
Odessa
59.2%
Rio Rancho
66.4%
Rio Rancho +
| Metric | Odessa, TX | Rio Rancho, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $253,423 | $362,476 | Odessa + |
| Homeownership Rate | 59.2% | 66.4% | Rio Rancho + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Odessa
442
Odessa +
Rio Rancho
834
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Odessa
2339
Odessa +
Rio Rancho
3177
| Metric | Odessa, TX | Rio Rancho, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 442 | 834 | Odessa + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2339 | 3177 | Odessa + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Odessa
39.4%
Rio Rancho
31.9%
Rio Rancho +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Odessa
12.9%
Rio Rancho
10.6%
Rio Rancho +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Odessa
18.0%
Rio Rancho
15.4%
Rio Rancho +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Odessa
25.4%
Rio Rancho
11.5%
Rio Rancho +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Odessa
18.1%
Rio Rancho
15.0%
Rio Rancho +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Odessa
14.0%
Rio Rancho
10.5%
Rio Rancho +
| Metric | Odessa, TX | Rio Rancho, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 39.4% | 31.9% | Rio Rancho + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.9% | 10.6% | Rio Rancho + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.0% | 15.4% | Rio Rancho + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 25.4% | 11.5% | Rio Rancho + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 18.1% | 15.0% | Rio Rancho + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 14.0% | 10.5% | Rio Rancho + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Odessa
65.6°F
Rio Rancho
55.7°F
Rio Rancho +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Odessa
13.5 in
Rio Rancho
12.3 in
Rio Rancho +
| Metric | Odessa, TX | Rio Rancho, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 65.6°F | 55.7°F | Rio Rancho + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 13.5 in | 12.3 in | Rio Rancho + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Odessa
9.2 µg/m³
Rio Rancho
6.1 µg/m³
Rio Rancho +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Odessa
55.0%
Rio Rancho
75.0%
Rio Rancho +
| Metric | Odessa, TX | Rio Rancho, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.2 µg/m³ | 6.1 µg/m³ | Rio Rancho + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Rio Rancho + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Odessa
23.7 min
Rio Rancho
19.1 min
Rio Rancho +
| Metric | Odessa, TX | Rio Rancho, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 23.7 min | 19.1 min | Rio Rancho + |
Which City is Right for You?
Odessa leads in median household income at $73,030, while odessa offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $253,423. On public safety, Odessa is safer with a violent crime rate of 442 per 100,000 residents, compared to 834 in Rio Rancho. Odessa has a lower unemployment rate at 5.5%, 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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