Renton WA 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)
Renton, WA
Washington · Population: 75,721
- Median HH Income$162,099
- Median Home Price$765,686
- Unemployment4.1%
- Bachelor's+74.7%
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
Renton
75,721
Renton +
Rio Rancho
47,823
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Renton
N/A
Rio Rancho
N/A
Median Age
Renton
35.0
Renton +
Rio Rancho
36.8
Foreign Born
Renton
44.4%
Renton +
Rio Rancho
11.6%
White
Renton
48.7%
Rio Rancho
62.2%
Rio Rancho +
Black
Renton
2.2%
Renton +
Rio Rancho
1.8%
Asian
Renton
39.2%
Renton +
Rio Rancho
1.6%
Hispanic
Renton
6.8%
Rio Rancho
61.1%
Rio Rancho +
Spanish at Home
Renton
N/A
Rio Rancho
N/A
| Metric | Renton, WA | Rio Rancho, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 75,721 | 47,823 | Renton + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.0 | 36.8 | Renton + |
| Foreign Born | 44.4% | 11.6% | Renton + |
| White | 48.7% | 62.2% | Rio Rancho + |
| Black | 2.2% | 1.8% | Renton + |
| Asian | 39.2% | 1.6% | Renton + |
| Hispanic | 6.8% | 61.1% | Rio Rancho + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Renton
$162,099
Renton +
Rio Rancho
$50,294
Per Capita Income
Renton
$89,026
Renton +
Rio Rancho
$28,418
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Renton
$76,120
Renton +
Rio Rancho
$53,141
Unemployment Rate
Renton
4.1%
Renton +
Rio Rancho
5.9%
Poverty Rate
Renton
5.8%
Renton +
Rio Rancho
24.2%
Bachelor's Degree+
Renton
74.7%
Renton +
Rio Rancho
19.6%
| Metric | Renton, WA | Rio Rancho, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $162,099 | $50,294 | Renton + |
| Per Capita Income | $89,026 | $28,418 | Renton + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $76,120 | $53,141 | Renton + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.1% | 5.9% | Renton + |
| Poverty Rate | 5.8% | 24.2% | Renton + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 74.7% | 19.6% | Renton + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Renton
$765,686
Rio Rancho
$362,476
Rio Rancho +
Homeownership Rate
Renton
45.2%
Rio Rancho
66.4%
Rio Rancho +
| Metric | Renton, WA | Rio Rancho, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $765,686 | $362,476 | Rio Rancho + |
| Homeownership Rate | 45.2% | 66.4% | Rio Rancho + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Renton
383
Renton +
Rio Rancho
834
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Renton
3409
Rio Rancho
3177
Rio Rancho +
| Metric | Renton, WA | Rio Rancho, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 383 | 834 | Renton + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 3409 | 3177 | Rio Rancho + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Renton
24.0%
Renton +
Rio Rancho
31.9%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Renton
8.5%
Renton +
Rio Rancho
10.6%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Renton
16.0%
Rio Rancho
15.4%
Rio Rancho +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Renton
9.1%
Renton +
Rio Rancho
11.5%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Renton
16.1%
Rio Rancho
15.0%
Rio Rancho +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Renton
8.9%
Renton +
Rio Rancho
10.5%
| Metric | Renton, WA | Rio Rancho, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 24.0% | 31.9% | Renton + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 8.5% | 10.6% | Renton + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.0% | 15.4% | Rio Rancho + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.1% | 11.5% | Renton + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.1% | 15.0% | Rio Rancho + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 8.9% | 10.5% | Renton + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Renton
53.2°F
Renton +
Rio Rancho
55.7°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Renton
40.1 in
Rio Rancho
12.3 in
Rio Rancho +
| Metric | Renton, WA | Rio Rancho, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 53.2°F | 55.7°F | Renton + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 40.1 in | 12.3 in | Rio Rancho + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Renton
7.5 µg/m³
Rio Rancho
6.1 µg/m³
Rio Rancho +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Renton
75.0%
Rio Rancho
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Renton, WA | Rio Rancho, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.5 µg/m³ | 6.1 µg/m³ | Rio Rancho + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Renton
25.4 min
Rio Rancho
19.1 min
Rio Rancho +
| Metric | Renton, WA | Rio Rancho, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 25.4 min | 19.1 min | Rio Rancho + |
Which City is Right for You?
Renton leads in median household income at $162,099, while rio Rancho offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $362,476. On public safety, Renton is safer with a violent crime rate of 383 per 100,000 residents, compared to 834 in Rio Rancho. Renton has a lower unemployment rate at 4.1%, and Rio Rancho has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 6.1 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Renton scores better with a lower obesity rate of 24.0%.
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