Providence RI 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)
Providence, RI
Rhode Island · Population: 190,214
- Median HH Income$66,772
- Median Home Price$429,449
- Unemployment7.4%
- Bachelor's+34.7%
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
Providence
190,214
Providence +
Rio Rancho
47,823
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Providence
N/A
Rio Rancho
N/A
Median Age
Providence
32.9
Providence +
Rio Rancho
36.8
Foreign Born
Providence
32.8%
Providence +
Rio Rancho
11.6%
White
Providence
40.7%
Rio Rancho
62.2%
Rio Rancho +
Black
Providence
13.3%
Providence +
Rio Rancho
1.8%
Asian
Providence
5.9%
Providence +
Rio Rancho
1.6%
Hispanic
Providence
44.3%
Rio Rancho
61.1%
Rio Rancho +
Spanish at Home
Providence
N/A
Rio Rancho
N/A
| Metric | Providence, RI | Rio Rancho, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 190,214 | 47,823 | Providence + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 32.9 | 36.8 | Providence + |
| Foreign Born | 32.8% | 11.6% | Providence + |
| White | 40.7% | 62.2% | Rio Rancho + |
| Black | 13.3% | 1.8% | Providence + |
| Asian | 5.9% | 1.6% | Providence + |
| Hispanic | 44.3% | 61.1% | Rio Rancho + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Providence
$66,772
Providence +
Rio Rancho
$50,294
Per Capita Income
Providence
$36,694
Providence +
Rio Rancho
$28,418
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Providence
$64,538
Providence +
Rio Rancho
$53,141
Unemployment Rate
Providence
7.4%
Rio Rancho
5.9%
Rio Rancho +
Poverty Rate
Providence
20.1%
Providence +
Rio Rancho
24.2%
Bachelor's Degree+
Providence
34.7%
Providence +
Rio Rancho
19.6%
| Metric | Providence, RI | Rio Rancho, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $66,772 | $50,294 | Providence + |
| Per Capita Income | $36,694 | $28,418 | Providence + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $64,538 | $53,141 | Providence + |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.4% | 5.9% | Rio Rancho + |
| Poverty Rate | 20.1% | 24.2% | Providence + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 34.7% | 19.6% | Providence + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Providence
$429,449
Rio Rancho
$362,476
Rio Rancho +
Homeownership Rate
Providence
41.2%
Rio Rancho
66.4%
Rio Rancho +
| Metric | Providence, RI | Rio Rancho, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $429,449 | $362,476 | Rio Rancho + |
| Homeownership Rate | 41.2% | 66.4% | Rio Rancho + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Providence
174
Providence +
Rio Rancho
834
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Providence
1303
Providence +
Rio Rancho
3177
| Metric | Providence, RI | Rio Rancho, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 174 | 834 | Providence + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1303 | 3177 | Providence + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Providence
34.4%
Rio Rancho
31.9%
Rio Rancho +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Providence
11.5%
Rio Rancho
10.6%
Rio Rancho +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Providence
19.6%
Rio Rancho
15.4%
Rio Rancho +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Providence
14.6%
Rio Rancho
11.5%
Rio Rancho +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Providence
16.7%
Rio Rancho
15.0%
Rio Rancho +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Providence
12.1%
Rio Rancho
10.5%
Rio Rancho +
| Metric | Providence, RI | Rio Rancho, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 34.4% | 31.9% | Rio Rancho + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.5% | 10.6% | Rio Rancho + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.6% | 15.4% | Rio Rancho + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 14.6% | 11.5% | Rio Rancho + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.7% | 15.0% | Rio Rancho + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.1% | 10.5% | Rio Rancho + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Providence
N/A
Rio Rancho
55.7°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Providence
N/A
Rio Rancho
12.3 in
| Metric | Providence, RI | 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.)
Providence
7.1 µg/m³
Rio Rancho
6.1 µg/m³
Rio Rancho +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Providence
75.0%
Rio Rancho
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Providence, RI | 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
Providence
27.4 min
Rio Rancho
19.1 min
Rio Rancho +
| Metric | Providence, RI | Rio Rancho, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 27.4 min | 19.1 min | Rio Rancho + |
Which City is Right for You?
Providence leads in median household income at $66,772, while rio Rancho offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $362,476. On public safety, Providence is safer with a violent crime rate of 174 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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