Phoenix AZ 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)
Phoenix, AZ
Arizona · Population: 1,624,832
- Median HH Income$77,041
- Median Home Price$411,323
- Unemployment5.1%
- Bachelor's+32.3%
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
Phoenix
1,624,832
Phoenix +
Rio Rancho
47,823
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Phoenix
N/A
Rio Rancho
N/A
Median Age
Phoenix
34.8
Phoenix +
Rio Rancho
36.8
Foreign Born
Phoenix
19.0%
Phoenix +
Rio Rancho
11.6%
White
Phoenix
53.7%
Rio Rancho
62.2%
Rio Rancho +
Black
Phoenix
7.8%
Phoenix +
Rio Rancho
1.8%
Asian
Phoenix
3.9%
Phoenix +
Rio Rancho
1.6%
Hispanic
Phoenix
41.8%
Rio Rancho
61.1%
Rio Rancho +
Spanish at Home
Phoenix
N/A
Rio Rancho
N/A
| Metric | Phoenix, AZ | Rio Rancho, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 1,624,832 | 47,823 | Phoenix + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.8 | 36.8 | Phoenix + |
| Foreign Born | 19.0% | 11.6% | Phoenix + |
| White | 53.7% | 62.2% | Rio Rancho + |
| Black | 7.8% | 1.8% | Phoenix + |
| Asian | 3.9% | 1.6% | Phoenix + |
| Hispanic | 41.8% | 61.1% | Rio Rancho + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Phoenix
$77,041
Phoenix +
Rio Rancho
$50,294
Per Capita Income
Phoenix
$40,309
Phoenix +
Rio Rancho
$28,418
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Phoenix
$59,120
Phoenix +
Rio Rancho
$53,141
Unemployment Rate
Phoenix
5.1%
Phoenix +
Rio Rancho
5.9%
Poverty Rate
Phoenix
14.3%
Phoenix +
Rio Rancho
24.2%
Bachelor's Degree+
Phoenix
32.3%
Phoenix +
Rio Rancho
19.6%
| Metric | Phoenix, AZ | Rio Rancho, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $77,041 | $50,294 | Phoenix + |
| Per Capita Income | $40,309 | $28,418 | Phoenix + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $59,120 | $53,141 | Phoenix + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.1% | 5.9% | Phoenix + |
| Poverty Rate | 14.3% | 24.2% | Phoenix + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 32.3% | 19.6% | Phoenix + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Phoenix
$411,323
Rio Rancho
$362,476
Rio Rancho +
Homeownership Rate
Phoenix
57.1%
Rio Rancho
66.4%
Rio Rancho +
| Metric | Phoenix, AZ | Rio Rancho, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $411,323 | $362,476 | Rio Rancho + |
| Homeownership Rate | 57.1% | 66.4% | Rio Rancho + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Phoenix
450
Phoenix +
Rio Rancho
834
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Phoenix
2150
Phoenix +
Rio Rancho
3177
| Metric | Phoenix, AZ | Rio Rancho, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 450 | 834 | Phoenix + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2150 | 3177 | Phoenix + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Phoenix
32.3%
Rio Rancho
31.9%
Rio Rancho +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Phoenix
10.8%
Rio Rancho
10.6%
Rio Rancho +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Phoenix
16.2%
Rio Rancho
15.4%
Rio Rancho +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Phoenix
17.3%
Rio Rancho
11.5%
Rio Rancho +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Phoenix
16.3%
Rio Rancho
15.0%
Rio Rancho +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Phoenix
12.2%
Rio Rancho
10.5%
Rio Rancho +
| Metric | Phoenix, AZ | Rio Rancho, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 32.3% | 31.9% | Rio Rancho + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 10.8% | 10.6% | Rio Rancho + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.2% | 15.4% | Rio Rancho + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 17.3% | 11.5% | Rio Rancho + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.3% | 15.0% | Rio Rancho + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.2% | 10.5% | Rio Rancho + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Phoenix
72.1°F
Rio Rancho
55.7°F
Rio Rancho +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Phoenix
10.8 in
Phoenix +
Rio Rancho
12.3 in
| Metric | Phoenix, AZ | Rio Rancho, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 72.1°F | 55.7°F | Rio Rancho + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 10.8 in | 12.3 in | Phoenix + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Phoenix
7.1 µg/m³
Rio Rancho
6.1 µg/m³
Rio Rancho +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Phoenix
75.0%
Rio Rancho
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Phoenix, AZ | Rio Rancho, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.1 µg/m³ | 6.1 µg/m³ | Rio Rancho + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Phoenix
27.7 min
Rio Rancho
19.1 min
Rio Rancho +
| Metric | Phoenix, AZ | Rio Rancho, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 27.7 min | 19.1 min | Rio Rancho + |
Which City is Right for You?
Phoenix leads in median household income at $77,041, while rio Rancho offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $362,476. On public safety, Phoenix is safer with a violent crime rate of 450 per 100,000 residents, compared to 834 in Rio Rancho. Phoenix has a lower unemployment rate at 5.1%, 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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