Pueblo CO 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)
Pueblo, CO
Colorado · Population: 111,514
- Median HH Income$55,305
- Median Home Price$286,326
- Unemployment5.9%
- Bachelor's+22.8%
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
Pueblo
111,514
Pueblo +
Rio Rancho
47,823
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Pueblo
N/A
Rio Rancho
N/A
Median Age
Pueblo
38.1
Rio Rancho
36.8
Rio Rancho +
Foreign Born
Pueblo
4.0%
Rio Rancho
11.6%
Rio Rancho +
White
Pueblo
70.3%
Pueblo +
Rio Rancho
62.2%
Black
Pueblo
2.7%
Pueblo +
Rio Rancho
1.8%
Asian
Pueblo
0.8%
Rio Rancho
1.6%
Rio Rancho +
Hispanic
Pueblo
48.4%
Rio Rancho
61.1%
Rio Rancho +
Spanish at Home
Pueblo
N/A
Rio Rancho
N/A
| Metric | Pueblo, CO | Rio Rancho, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 111,514 | 47,823 | Pueblo + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 38.1 | 36.8 | Rio Rancho + |
| Foreign Born | 4.0% | 11.6% | Rio Rancho + |
| White | 70.3% | 62.2% | Pueblo + |
| Black | 2.7% | 1.8% | Pueblo + |
| Asian | 0.8% | 1.6% | Rio Rancho + |
| Hispanic | 48.4% | 61.1% | Rio Rancho + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Pueblo
$55,305
Pueblo +
Rio Rancho
$50,294
Per Capita Income
Pueblo
$30,949
Pueblo +
Rio Rancho
$28,418
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Pueblo
$76,653
Pueblo +
Rio Rancho
$53,141
Unemployment Rate
Pueblo
5.9%
Pueblo +
Rio Rancho
5.9%
Poverty Rate
Pueblo
19.2%
Pueblo +
Rio Rancho
24.2%
Bachelor's Degree+
Pueblo
22.8%
Pueblo +
Rio Rancho
19.6%
| Metric | Pueblo, CO | Rio Rancho, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $55,305 | $50,294 | Pueblo + |
| Per Capita Income | $30,949 | $28,418 | Pueblo + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $76,653 | $53,141 | Pueblo + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.9% | 5.9% | Pueblo + |
| Poverty Rate | 19.2% | 24.2% | Pueblo + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 22.8% | 19.6% | Pueblo + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Pueblo
$286,326
Pueblo +
Rio Rancho
$362,476
Homeownership Rate
Pueblo
60.8%
Rio Rancho
66.4%
Rio Rancho +
| Metric | Pueblo, CO | Rio Rancho, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $286,326 | $362,476 | Pueblo + |
| Homeownership Rate | 60.8% | 66.4% | Rio Rancho + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Pueblo
512
Pueblo +
Rio Rancho
834
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Pueblo
3234
Rio Rancho
3177
Rio Rancho +
| Metric | Pueblo, CO | Rio Rancho, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 512 | 834 | Pueblo + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 3234 | 3177 | Rio Rancho + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Pueblo
33.5%
Rio Rancho
31.9%
Rio Rancho +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Pueblo
13.5%
Rio Rancho
10.6%
Rio Rancho +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Pueblo
18.0%
Rio Rancho
15.4%
Rio Rancho +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Pueblo
18.9%
Rio Rancho
11.5%
Rio Rancho +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Pueblo
15.6%
Rio Rancho
15.0%
Rio Rancho +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Pueblo
15.1%
Rio Rancho
10.5%
Rio Rancho +
| Metric | Pueblo, CO | Rio Rancho, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 33.5% | 31.9% | Rio Rancho + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.5% | 10.6% | Rio Rancho + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.0% | 15.4% | Rio Rancho + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 18.9% | 11.5% | Rio Rancho + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.6% | 15.0% | Rio Rancho + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 15.1% | 10.5% | Rio Rancho + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Pueblo
53.7°F
Pueblo +
Rio Rancho
55.7°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Pueblo
13.0 in
Rio Rancho
12.3 in
Rio Rancho +
| Metric | Pueblo, CO | Rio Rancho, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 53.7°F | 55.7°F | Pueblo + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 13.0 in | 12.3 in | Rio Rancho + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Pueblo
6.2 µg/m³
Rio Rancho
6.1 µg/m³
Rio Rancho +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Pueblo
75.0%
Rio Rancho
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Pueblo, CO | Rio Rancho, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 6.2 µg/m³ | 6.1 µg/m³ | Rio Rancho + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Pueblo
21.1 min
Rio Rancho
19.1 min
Rio Rancho +
| Metric | Pueblo, CO | Rio Rancho, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 21.1 min | 19.1 min | Rio Rancho + |
Which City is Right for You?
Pueblo leads in median household income at $55,305, while pueblo offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $286,326. On public safety, Pueblo is safer with a violent crime rate of 512 per 100,000 residents, compared to 834 in Rio Rancho. Pueblo 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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