Provo UT 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)
Provo, UT
Utah · Population: 114,303
- Median HH Income$62,800
- Median Home Price$486,127
- Unemployment4.7%
- Bachelor's+45.0%
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
Provo
114,303
Provo +
Rio Rancho
47,823
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Provo
N/A
Rio Rancho
N/A
Median Age
Provo
23.7
Provo +
Rio Rancho
36.8
Foreign Born
Provo
12.2%
Provo +
Rio Rancho
11.6%
White
Provo
78.6%
Provo +
Rio Rancho
62.2%
Black
Provo
1.1%
Rio Rancho
1.8%
Rio Rancho +
Asian
Provo
2.2%
Provo +
Rio Rancho
1.6%
Hispanic
Provo
18.9%
Rio Rancho
61.1%
Rio Rancho +
Spanish at Home
Provo
N/A
Rio Rancho
N/A
| Metric | Provo, UT | Rio Rancho, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 114,303 | 47,823 | Provo + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 23.7 | 36.8 | Provo + |
| Foreign Born | 12.2% | 11.6% | Provo + |
| White | 78.6% | 62.2% | Provo + |
| Black | 1.1% | 1.8% | Rio Rancho + |
| Asian | 2.2% | 1.6% | Provo + |
| Hispanic | 18.9% | 61.1% | Rio Rancho + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Provo
$62,800
Provo +
Rio Rancho
$50,294
Per Capita Income
Provo
$26,755
Rio Rancho
$28,418
Rio Rancho +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Provo
$60,713
Provo +
Rio Rancho
$53,141
Unemployment Rate
Provo
4.7%
Provo +
Rio Rancho
5.9%
Poverty Rate
Provo
22.3%
Provo +
Rio Rancho
24.2%
Bachelor's Degree+
Provo
45.0%
Provo +
Rio Rancho
19.6%
| Metric | Provo, UT | Rio Rancho, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $62,800 | $50,294 | Provo + |
| Per Capita Income | $26,755 | $28,418 | Rio Rancho + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $60,713 | $53,141 | Provo + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.7% | 5.9% | Provo + |
| Poverty Rate | 22.3% | 24.2% | Provo + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 45.0% | 19.6% | Provo + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Provo
$486,127
Rio Rancho
$362,476
Rio Rancho +
Homeownership Rate
Provo
39.9%
Rio Rancho
66.4%
Rio Rancho +
| Metric | Provo, UT | Rio Rancho, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $486,127 | $362,476 | Rio Rancho + |
| Homeownership Rate | 39.9% | 66.4% | Rio Rancho + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Provo
245
Provo +
Rio Rancho
834
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Provo
1931
Provo +
Rio Rancho
3177
| Metric | Provo, UT | Rio Rancho, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 245 | 834 | Provo + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1931 | 3177 | Provo + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Provo
30.7%
Provo +
Rio Rancho
31.9%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Provo
6.1%
Provo +
Rio Rancho
10.6%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Provo
21.5%
Rio Rancho
15.4%
Rio Rancho +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Provo
12.6%
Rio Rancho
11.5%
Rio Rancho +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Provo
8.7%
Provo +
Rio Rancho
15.0%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Provo
7.0%
Provo +
Rio Rancho
10.5%
| Metric | Provo, UT | Rio Rancho, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 30.7% | 31.9% | Provo + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 6.1% | 10.6% | Provo + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 21.5% | 15.4% | Rio Rancho + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 12.6% | 11.5% | Rio Rancho + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 8.7% | 15.0% | Provo + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 7.0% | 10.5% | Provo + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Provo
53.4°F
Provo +
Rio Rancho
55.7°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Provo
19.8 in
Rio Rancho
12.3 in
Rio Rancho +
| Metric | Provo, UT | Rio Rancho, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 53.4°F | 55.7°F | Provo + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 19.8 in | 12.3 in | Rio Rancho + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Provo
7.0 µg/m³
Rio Rancho
6.1 µg/m³
Rio Rancho +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Provo
75.0%
Rio Rancho
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Provo, UT | Rio Rancho, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.0 µg/m³ | 6.1 µg/m³ | Rio Rancho + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Provo
20.1 min
Rio Rancho
19.1 min
Rio Rancho +
| Metric | Provo, UT | Rio Rancho, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 20.1 min | 19.1 min | Rio Rancho + |
Which City is Right for You?
Provo leads in median household income at $62,800, while rio Rancho offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $362,476. On public safety, Provo is safer with a violent crime rate of 245 per 100,000 residents, compared to 834 in Rio Rancho. Provo has a lower unemployment rate at 4.7%, and Rio Rancho has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 6.1 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Provo scores better with a lower obesity rate of 30.7%.
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