Philadelphia PA 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)

Philadelphia, PA

Pennsylvania · Population: 1,582,432

  • Median HH Income$60,698
  • Median Home Price$233,814
  • Unemployment8.4%
  • Bachelor's+34.6%

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
Philadelphia
1,582,432
Philadelphia +
Rio Rancho
47,823
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Philadelphia
N/A
Rio Rancho
N/A
Median Age
Philadelphia
35.1
Philadelphia +
Rio Rancho
36.8
Foreign Born
Philadelphia
14.6%
Philadelphia +
Rio Rancho
11.6%
White
Philadelphia
36.1%
Rio Rancho
62.2%
Rio Rancho +
Black
Philadelphia
39.9%
Philadelphia +
Rio Rancho
1.8%
Asian
Philadelphia
7.8%
Philadelphia +
Rio Rancho
1.6%
Hispanic
Philadelphia
15.2%
Rio Rancho
61.1%
Rio Rancho +
Spanish at Home
Philadelphia
N/A
Rio Rancho
N/A

Economy

Median HH Income
Philadelphia
$60,698
Philadelphia +
Rio Rancho
$50,294
Per Capita Income
Philadelphia
$37,669
Philadelphia +
Rio Rancho
$28,418
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Philadelphia
$65,080
Philadelphia +
Rio Rancho
$53,141
Unemployment Rate
Philadelphia
8.4%
Rio Rancho
5.9%
Rio Rancho +
Poverty Rate
Philadelphia
22.0%
Philadelphia +
Rio Rancho
24.2%
Bachelor's Degree+
Philadelphia
34.6%
Philadelphia +
Rio Rancho
19.6%

Housing

Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Philadelphia
$233,814
Philadelphia +
Rio Rancho
$362,476
Homeownership Rate
Philadelphia
52.3%
Rio Rancho
66.4%
Rio Rancho +

Safety

Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Philadelphia
319
Philadelphia +
Rio Rancho
834
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Philadelphia
1613
Philadelphia +
Rio Rancho
3177

Health

Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Philadelphia
N/A
Rio Rancho
31.9%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Philadelphia
N/A
Rio Rancho
10.6%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Philadelphia
N/A
Rio Rancho
15.4%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Philadelphia
N/A
Rio Rancho
11.5%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Philadelphia
N/A
Rio Rancho
15.0%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Philadelphia
N/A
Rio Rancho
10.5%

Climate

Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Philadelphia
57.1°F
Rio Rancho
55.7°F
Rio Rancho +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Philadelphia
48.5 in
Rio Rancho
12.3 in
Rio Rancho +

Air Quality

PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Philadelphia
9.8 µg/m³
Rio Rancho
6.1 µg/m³
Rio Rancho +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Philadelphia
55.0%
Rio Rancho
75.0%
Rio Rancho +

Commute

Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Philadelphia
34.5 min
Rio Rancho
19.1 min
Rio Rancho +

Which City is Right for You?

Philadelphia leads in median household income at $60,698, while philadelphia offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $233,814. On public safety, Philadelphia is safer with a violent crime rate of 319 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).

Compare More Cities

About Philadelphia & Rio Rancho