Reno NV 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)
Reno, NV
Nevada · Population: 268,959
- Median HH Income$78,448
- Median Home Price$570,934
- Unemployment5.0%
- Bachelor's+35.7%
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
Reno
268,959
Reno +
Rio Rancho
47,823
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Reno
N/A
Rio Rancho
N/A
Median Age
Reno
37.3
Rio Rancho
36.8
Rio Rancho +
Foreign Born
Reno
16.1%
Reno +
Rio Rancho
11.6%
White
Reno
63.5%
Reno +
Rio Rancho
62.2%
Black
Reno
3.2%
Reno +
Rio Rancho
1.8%
Asian
Reno
7.0%
Reno +
Rio Rancho
1.6%
Hispanic
Reno
24.6%
Rio Rancho
61.1%
Rio Rancho +
Spanish at Home
Reno
N/A
Rio Rancho
N/A
| Metric | Reno, NV | Rio Rancho, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 268,959 | 47,823 | Reno + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 37.3 | 36.8 | Rio Rancho + |
| Foreign Born | 16.1% | 11.6% | Reno + |
| White | 63.5% | 62.2% | Reno + |
| Black | 3.2% | 1.8% | Reno + |
| Asian | 7.0% | 1.6% | Reno + |
| Hispanic | 24.6% | 61.1% | Rio Rancho + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Reno
$78,448
Reno +
Rio Rancho
$50,294
Per Capita Income
Reno
$45,180
Reno +
Rio Rancho
$28,418
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Reno
$62,696
Reno +
Rio Rancho
$53,141
Unemployment Rate
Reno
5.0%
Reno +
Rio Rancho
5.9%
Poverty Rate
Reno
12.5%
Reno +
Rio Rancho
24.2%
Bachelor's Degree+
Reno
35.7%
Reno +
Rio Rancho
19.6%
| Metric | Reno, NV | Rio Rancho, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $78,448 | $50,294 | Reno + |
| Per Capita Income | $45,180 | $28,418 | Reno + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $62,696 | $53,141 | Reno + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.0% | 5.9% | Reno + |
| Poverty Rate | 12.5% | 24.2% | Reno + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 35.7% | 19.6% | Reno + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Reno
$570,934
Rio Rancho
$362,476
Rio Rancho +
Homeownership Rate
Reno
49.4%
Rio Rancho
66.4%
Rio Rancho +
| Metric | Reno, NV | Rio Rancho, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $570,934 | $362,476 | Rio Rancho + |
| Homeownership Rate | 49.4% | 66.4% | Rio Rancho + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Reno
460
Reno +
Rio Rancho
834
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Reno
2417
Reno +
Rio Rancho
3177
| Metric | Reno, NV | Rio Rancho, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 460 | 834 | Reno + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2417 | 3177 | Reno + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Reno
28.4%
Reno +
Rio Rancho
31.9%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Reno
9.5%
Reno +
Rio Rancho
10.6%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Reno
18.5%
Rio Rancho
15.4%
Rio Rancho +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Reno
13.0%
Rio Rancho
11.5%
Rio Rancho +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Reno
18.9%
Rio Rancho
15.0%
Rio Rancho +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Reno
12.8%
Rio Rancho
10.5%
Rio Rancho +
| Metric | Reno, NV | Rio Rancho, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 28.4% | 31.9% | Reno + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 9.5% | 10.6% | Reno + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.5% | 15.4% | Rio Rancho + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 13.0% | 11.5% | Rio Rancho + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 18.9% | 15.0% | Rio Rancho + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.8% | 10.5% | Rio Rancho + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Reno
53.0°F
Reno +
Rio Rancho
55.7°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Reno
8.3 in
Reno +
Rio Rancho
12.3 in
| Metric | Reno, NV | Rio Rancho, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 53.0°F | 55.7°F | Reno + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 8.3 in | 12.3 in | Reno + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Reno
5.2 µg/m³
Reno +
Rio Rancho
6.1 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Reno
75.0%
Rio Rancho
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Reno, NV | Rio Rancho, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 5.2 µg/m³ | 6.1 µg/m³ | Reno + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Reno
22.3 min
Rio Rancho
19.1 min
Rio Rancho +
| Metric | Reno, NV | Rio Rancho, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 22.3 min | 19.1 min | Rio Rancho + |
Which City is Right for You?
Reno leads in median household income at $78,448, while rio Rancho offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $362,476. On public safety, Reno is safer with a violent crime rate of 460 per 100,000 residents, compared to 834 in Rio Rancho. Reno has a lower unemployment rate at 5.0%, and Reno has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 5.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Reno scores better with a lower obesity rate of 28.4%.
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