Palm Bay FL 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)
Palm Bay, FL
Florida · Population: 125,273
- Median HH Income$67,521
- Median Home Price$304,173
- Unemployment5.9%
- Bachelor's+22.6%
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
Palm Bay
125,273
Palm Bay +
Rio Rancho
47,823
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Palm Bay
N/A
Rio Rancho
N/A
Median Age
Palm Bay
41.3
Rio Rancho
36.8
Rio Rancho +
Foreign Born
Palm Bay
15.1%
Palm Bay +
Rio Rancho
11.6%
White
Palm Bay
59.2%
Rio Rancho
62.2%
Rio Rancho +
Black
Palm Bay
19.3%
Palm Bay +
Rio Rancho
1.8%
Asian
Palm Bay
2.1%
Palm Bay +
Rio Rancho
1.6%
Hispanic
Palm Bay
19.7%
Rio Rancho
61.1%
Rio Rancho +
Spanish at Home
Palm Bay
N/A
Rio Rancho
N/A
| Metric | Palm Bay, FL | Rio Rancho, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 125,273 | 47,823 | Palm Bay + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 41.3 | 36.8 | Rio Rancho + |
| Foreign Born | 15.1% | 11.6% | Palm Bay + |
| White | 59.2% | 62.2% | Rio Rancho + |
| Black | 19.3% | 1.8% | Palm Bay + |
| Asian | 2.1% | 1.6% | Palm Bay + |
| Hispanic | 19.7% | 61.1% | Rio Rancho + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Palm Bay
$67,521
Palm Bay +
Rio Rancho
$50,294
Per Capita Income
Palm Bay
$34,474
Palm Bay +
Rio Rancho
$28,418
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Palm Bay
$65,328
Palm Bay +
Rio Rancho
$53,141
Unemployment Rate
Palm Bay
5.9%
Rio Rancho
5.9%
Rio Rancho +
Poverty Rate
Palm Bay
11.6%
Palm Bay +
Rio Rancho
24.2%
Bachelor's Degree+
Palm Bay
22.6%
Palm Bay +
Rio Rancho
19.6%
| Metric | Palm Bay, FL | Rio Rancho, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $67,521 | $50,294 | Palm Bay + |
| Per Capita Income | $34,474 | $28,418 | Palm Bay + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $65,328 | $53,141 | Palm Bay + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.9% | 5.9% | Rio Rancho + |
| Poverty Rate | 11.6% | 24.2% | Palm Bay + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 22.6% | 19.6% | Palm Bay + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Palm Bay
$304,173
Palm Bay +
Rio Rancho
$362,476
Homeownership Rate
Palm Bay
79.3%
Palm Bay +
Rio Rancho
66.4%
| Metric | Palm Bay, FL | Rio Rancho, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $304,173 | $362,476 | Palm Bay + |
| Homeownership Rate | 79.3% | 66.4% | Palm Bay + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Palm Bay
324
Palm Bay +
Rio Rancho
834
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Palm Bay
1453
Palm Bay +
Rio Rancho
3177
| Metric | Palm Bay, FL | Rio Rancho, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 324 | 834 | Palm Bay + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1453 | 3177 | Palm Bay + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Palm Bay
36.5%
Rio Rancho
31.9%
Rio Rancho +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Palm Bay
14.0%
Rio Rancho
10.6%
Rio Rancho +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Palm Bay
17.6%
Rio Rancho
15.4%
Rio Rancho +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Palm Bay
14.2%
Rio Rancho
11.5%
Rio Rancho +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Palm Bay
14.4%
Palm Bay +
Rio Rancho
15.0%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Palm Bay
14.5%
Rio Rancho
10.5%
Rio Rancho +
| Metric | Palm Bay, FL | Rio Rancho, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 36.5% | 31.9% | Rio Rancho + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 14.0% | 10.6% | Rio Rancho + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.6% | 15.4% | Rio Rancho + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 14.2% | 11.5% | Rio Rancho + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.4% | 15.0% | Palm Bay + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 14.5% | 10.5% | Rio Rancho + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Palm Bay
N/A
Rio Rancho
55.7°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Palm Bay
N/A
Rio Rancho
12.3 in
| Metric | Palm Bay, FL | 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.)
Palm Bay
7.2 µg/m³
Rio Rancho
6.1 µg/m³
Rio Rancho +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Palm Bay
75.0%
Rio Rancho
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Palm Bay, FL | Rio Rancho, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.2 µg/m³ | 6.1 µg/m³ | Rio Rancho + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Palm Bay
29.6 min
Rio Rancho
19.1 min
Rio Rancho +
| Metric | Palm Bay, FL | Rio Rancho, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 29.6 min | 19.1 min | Rio Rancho + |
Which City is Right for You?
Palm Bay leads in median household income at $67,521, while palm Bay offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $304,173. On public safety, Palm Bay is safer with a violent crime rate of 324 per 100,000 residents, compared to 834 in Rio Rancho. Rio Rancho has a lower unemployment rate at 5.9%, 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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