Oklahoma City 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)
Oklahoma City, OK
Oklahoma · Population: 688,693
- Median HH Income$66,702
- Median Home Price$207,961
- Unemployment4.7%
- Bachelor's+34.0%
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
Oklahoma City
688,693
Oklahoma City +
Rio Rancho
47,823
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Oklahoma City
N/A
Rio Rancho
N/A
Median Age
Oklahoma City
35.0
Oklahoma City +
Rio Rancho
36.8
Foreign Born
Oklahoma City
12.0%
Oklahoma City +
Rio Rancho
11.6%
White
Oklahoma City
58.4%
Rio Rancho
62.2%
Rio Rancho +
Black
Oklahoma City
13.4%
Oklahoma City +
Rio Rancho
1.8%
Asian
Oklahoma City
4.5%
Oklahoma City +
Rio Rancho
1.6%
Hispanic
Oklahoma City
21.7%
Rio Rancho
61.1%
Rio Rancho +
Spanish at Home
Oklahoma City
N/A
Rio Rancho
N/A
| Metric | Oklahoma City, OK | Rio Rancho, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 688,693 | 47,823 | Oklahoma City + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.0 | 36.8 | Oklahoma City + |
| Foreign Born | 12.0% | 11.6% | Oklahoma City + |
| White | 58.4% | 62.2% | Rio Rancho + |
| Black | 13.4% | 1.8% | Oklahoma City + |
| Asian | 4.5% | 1.6% | Oklahoma City + |
| Hispanic | 21.7% | 61.1% | Rio Rancho + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Oklahoma City
$66,702
Oklahoma City +
Rio Rancho
$50,294
Per Capita Income
Oklahoma City
$37,109
Oklahoma City +
Rio Rancho
$28,418
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Oklahoma City
$57,929
Oklahoma City +
Rio Rancho
$53,141
Unemployment Rate
Oklahoma City
4.7%
Oklahoma City +
Rio Rancho
5.9%
Poverty Rate
Oklahoma City
15.2%
Oklahoma City +
Rio Rancho
24.2%
Bachelor's Degree+
Oklahoma City
34.0%
Oklahoma City +
Rio Rancho
19.6%
| Metric | Oklahoma City, OK | Rio Rancho, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $66,702 | $50,294 | Oklahoma City + |
| Per Capita Income | $37,109 | $28,418 | Oklahoma City + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $57,929 | $53,141 | Oklahoma City + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.7% | 5.9% | Oklahoma City + |
| Poverty Rate | 15.2% | 24.2% | Oklahoma City + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 34.0% | 19.6% | Oklahoma City + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Oklahoma City
$207,961
Oklahoma City +
Rio Rancho
$362,476
Homeownership Rate
Oklahoma City
59.1%
Rio Rancho
66.4%
Rio Rancho +
| Metric | Oklahoma City, OK | Rio Rancho, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $207,961 | $362,476 | Oklahoma City + |
| Homeownership Rate | 59.1% | 66.4% | Rio Rancho + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Oklahoma City
429
Oklahoma City +
Rio Rancho
834
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Oklahoma City
2375
Oklahoma City +
Rio Rancho
3177
| Metric | Oklahoma City, OK | Rio Rancho, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 429 | 834 | Oklahoma City + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2375 | 3177 | Oklahoma City + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Oklahoma City
38.3%
Rio Rancho
31.9%
Rio Rancho +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Oklahoma City
12.6%
Rio Rancho
10.6%
Rio Rancho +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Oklahoma City
17.8%
Rio Rancho
15.4%
Rio Rancho +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Oklahoma City
14.0%
Rio Rancho
11.5%
Rio Rancho +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Oklahoma City
14.6%
Oklahoma City +
Rio Rancho
15.0%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Oklahoma City
14.9%
Rio Rancho
10.5%
Rio Rancho +
| Metric | Oklahoma City, OK | Rio Rancho, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 38.3% | 31.9% | Rio Rancho + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.6% | 10.6% | Rio Rancho + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.8% | 15.4% | Rio Rancho + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 14.0% | 11.5% | Rio Rancho + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.6% | 15.0% | Oklahoma City + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 14.9% | 10.5% | Rio Rancho + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Oklahoma City
N/A
Rio Rancho
55.7°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Oklahoma City
37.6 in
Rio Rancho
12.3 in
Rio Rancho +
| Metric | Oklahoma City, OK | Rio Rancho, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 55.7°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 37.6 in | 12.3 in | Rio Rancho + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Oklahoma City
8.8 µg/m³
Rio Rancho
6.1 µg/m³
Rio Rancho +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Oklahoma City
75.0%
Rio Rancho
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Oklahoma City, 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
Oklahoma City
23.6 min
Rio Rancho
19.1 min
Rio Rancho +
| Metric | Oklahoma City, OK | Rio Rancho, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 23.6 min | 19.1 min | Rio Rancho + |
Which City is Right for You?
Oklahoma City leads in median household income at $66,702, while oklahoma City offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $207,961. On public safety, Oklahoma City is safer with a violent crime rate of 429 per 100,000 residents, compared to 834 in Rio Rancho. Oklahoma City has a lower unemployment rate at 4.7%, 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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