Palmdale 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)
Palmdale, CA
California · Population: 44,998
- Median HH Income$71,979
- Median Home Price$503,393
- Unemployment8.2%
- Bachelor's+45.1%
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
Palmdale
44,998
Rio Rancho
47,823
Rio Rancho +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Palmdale
N/A
Rio Rancho
N/A
Median Age
Palmdale
57.8
Rio Rancho
36.8
Rio Rancho +
Foreign Born
Palmdale
17.2%
Palmdale +
Rio Rancho
11.6%
White
Palmdale
69.3%
Palmdale +
Rio Rancho
62.2%
Black
Palmdale
5.4%
Palmdale +
Rio Rancho
1.8%
Asian
Palmdale
4.5%
Palmdale +
Rio Rancho
1.6%
Hispanic
Palmdale
24.3%
Rio Rancho
61.1%
Rio Rancho +
Spanish at Home
Palmdale
N/A
Rio Rancho
N/A
| Metric | Palmdale, CA | Rio Rancho, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 44,998 | 47,823 | Rio Rancho + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 57.8 | 36.8 | Rio Rancho + |
| Foreign Born | 17.2% | 11.6% | Palmdale + |
| White | 69.3% | 62.2% | Palmdale + |
| Black | 5.4% | 1.8% | Palmdale + |
| Asian | 4.5% | 1.6% | Palmdale + |
| Hispanic | 24.3% | 61.1% | Rio Rancho + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Palmdale
$71,979
Palmdale +
Rio Rancho
$50,294
Per Capita Income
Palmdale
$64,811
Palmdale +
Rio Rancho
$28,418
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Palmdale
$77,230
Palmdale +
Rio Rancho
$53,141
Unemployment Rate
Palmdale
8.2%
Rio Rancho
5.9%
Rio Rancho +
Poverty Rate
Palmdale
13.7%
Palmdale +
Rio Rancho
24.2%
Bachelor's Degree+
Palmdale
45.1%
Palmdale +
Rio Rancho
19.6%
| Metric | Palmdale, CA | Rio Rancho, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $71,979 | $50,294 | Palmdale + |
| Per Capita Income | $64,811 | $28,418 | Palmdale + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,230 | $53,141 | Palmdale + |
| Unemployment Rate | 8.2% | 5.9% | Rio Rancho + |
| Poverty Rate | 13.7% | 24.2% | Palmdale + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 45.1% | 19.6% | Palmdale + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Palmdale
$503,393
Rio Rancho
$362,476
Rio Rancho +
Homeownership Rate
Palmdale
65.0%
Rio Rancho
66.4%
Rio Rancho +
| Metric | Palmdale, CA | Rio Rancho, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $503,393 | $362,476 | Rio Rancho + |
| Homeownership Rate | 65.0% | 66.4% | Rio Rancho + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Palmdale
503
Palmdale +
Rio Rancho
834
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Palmdale
2388
Palmdale +
Rio Rancho
3177
| Metric | Palmdale, CA | Rio Rancho, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 503 | 834 | Palmdale + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2388 | 3177 | Palmdale + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Palmdale
30.3%
Palmdale +
Rio Rancho
31.9%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Palmdale
12.8%
Rio Rancho
10.6%
Rio Rancho +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Palmdale
18.6%
Rio Rancho
15.4%
Rio Rancho +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Palmdale
15.7%
Rio Rancho
11.5%
Rio Rancho +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Palmdale
15.8%
Rio Rancho
15.0%
Rio Rancho +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Palmdale
13.1%
Rio Rancho
10.5%
Rio Rancho +
| Metric | Palmdale, CA | Rio Rancho, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 30.3% | 31.9% | Palmdale + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.8% | 10.6% | Rio Rancho + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.6% | 15.4% | Rio Rancho + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 15.7% | 11.5% | Rio Rancho + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.8% | 15.0% | Rio Rancho + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 13.1% | 10.5% | Rio Rancho + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Palmdale
63.5°F
Rio Rancho
55.7°F
Rio Rancho +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Palmdale
7.4 in
Palmdale +
Rio Rancho
12.3 in
| Metric | Palmdale, CA | Rio Rancho, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 63.5°F | 55.7°F | Rio Rancho + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 7.4 in | 12.3 in | Palmdale + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Palmdale
7.9 µg/m³
Rio Rancho
6.1 µg/m³
Rio Rancho +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Palmdale
75.0%
Rio Rancho
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Palmdale, 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
Palmdale
24.1 min
Rio Rancho
19.1 min
Rio Rancho +
| Metric | Palmdale, CA | Rio Rancho, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 24.1 min | 19.1 min | Rio Rancho + |
Which City is Right for You?
Palmdale leads in median household income at $71,979, while rio Rancho offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $362,476. On public safety, Palmdale is safer with a violent crime rate of 503 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, Palmdale scores better with a lower obesity rate of 30.3%.
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