Raleigh NC 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)
Raleigh, NC
North Carolina · Population: 470,763
- Median HH Income$82,424
- Median Home Price$435,807
- Unemployment4.5%
- Bachelor's+52.9%
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
Raleigh
470,763
Raleigh +
Rio Rancho
47,823
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Raleigh
N/A
Rio Rancho
N/A
Median Age
Raleigh
34.7
Raleigh +
Rio Rancho
36.8
Foreign Born
Raleigh
13.6%
Raleigh +
Rio Rancho
11.6%
White
Raleigh
53.8%
Rio Rancho
62.2%
Rio Rancho +
Black
Raleigh
27.5%
Raleigh +
Rio Rancho
1.8%
Asian
Raleigh
4.7%
Raleigh +
Rio Rancho
1.6%
Hispanic
Raleigh
12.7%
Rio Rancho
61.1%
Rio Rancho +
Spanish at Home
Raleigh
N/A
Rio Rancho
N/A
| Metric | Raleigh, NC | Rio Rancho, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 470,763 | 47,823 | Raleigh + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.7 | 36.8 | Raleigh + |
| Foreign Born | 13.6% | 11.6% | Raleigh + |
| White | 53.8% | 62.2% | Rio Rancho + |
| Black | 27.5% | 1.8% | Raleigh + |
| Asian | 4.7% | 1.6% | Raleigh + |
| Hispanic | 12.7% | 61.1% | Rio Rancho + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Raleigh
$82,424
Raleigh +
Rio Rancho
$50,294
Per Capita Income
Raleigh
$49,948
Raleigh +
Rio Rancho
$28,418
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Raleigh
$59,120
Raleigh +
Rio Rancho
$53,141
Unemployment Rate
Raleigh
4.5%
Raleigh +
Rio Rancho
5.9%
Poverty Rate
Raleigh
11.4%
Raleigh +
Rio Rancho
24.2%
Bachelor's Degree+
Raleigh
52.9%
Raleigh +
Rio Rancho
19.6%
| Metric | Raleigh, NC | Rio Rancho, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $82,424 | $50,294 | Raleigh + |
| Per Capita Income | $49,948 | $28,418 | Raleigh + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $59,120 | $53,141 | Raleigh + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.5% | 5.9% | Raleigh + |
| Poverty Rate | 11.4% | 24.2% | Raleigh + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 52.9% | 19.6% | Raleigh + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Raleigh
$435,807
Rio Rancho
$362,476
Rio Rancho +
Homeownership Rate
Raleigh
51.2%
Rio Rancho
66.4%
Rio Rancho +
| Metric | Raleigh, NC | Rio Rancho, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $435,807 | $362,476 | Rio Rancho + |
| Homeownership Rate | 51.2% | 66.4% | Rio Rancho + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Raleigh
398
Raleigh +
Rio Rancho
834
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Raleigh
1999
Raleigh +
Rio Rancho
3177
| Metric | Raleigh, NC | Rio Rancho, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 398 | 834 | Raleigh + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1999 | 3177 | Raleigh + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Raleigh
30.9%
Raleigh +
Rio Rancho
31.9%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Raleigh
9.1%
Raleigh +
Rio Rancho
10.6%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Raleigh
16.6%
Rio Rancho
15.4%
Rio Rancho +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Raleigh
9.7%
Raleigh +
Rio Rancho
11.5%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Raleigh
15.3%
Rio Rancho
15.0%
Rio Rancho +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Raleigh
10.5%
Rio Rancho
10.5%
Tie
| Metric | Raleigh, NC | Rio Rancho, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 30.9% | 31.9% | Raleigh + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 9.1% | 10.6% | Raleigh + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.6% | 15.4% | Rio Rancho + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.7% | 11.5% | Raleigh + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.3% | 15.0% | Rio Rancho + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 10.5% | 10.5% | Tie |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Raleigh
61.1°F
Rio Rancho
55.7°F
Rio Rancho +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Raleigh
46.2 in
Rio Rancho
12.3 in
Rio Rancho +
| Metric | Raleigh, NC | Rio Rancho, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 61.1°F | 55.7°F | Rio Rancho + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 46.2 in | 12.3 in | Rio Rancho + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Raleigh
8.7 µg/m³
Rio Rancho
6.1 µg/m³
Rio Rancho +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Raleigh
75.0%
Rio Rancho
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Raleigh, NC | Rio Rancho, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.7 µg/m³ | 6.1 µg/m³ | Rio Rancho + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Raleigh
25.1 min
Rio Rancho
19.1 min
Rio Rancho +
| Metric | Raleigh, NC | Rio Rancho, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 25.1 min | 19.1 min | Rio Rancho + |
Which City is Right for You?
Raleigh leads in median household income at $82,424, while rio Rancho offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $362,476. On public safety, Raleigh is safer with a violent crime rate of 398 per 100,000 residents, compared to 834 in Rio Rancho. Raleigh has a lower unemployment rate at 4.5%, and Rio Rancho has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 6.1 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Raleigh scores better with a lower obesity rate of 30.9%.
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