Rio Rancho NM vs Riverside CA — Cost of Living, Crime & Income Comparison 2026
Updated May 2026 · Source: US Census ACS 5-Year (2023), FBI CDE (2023), BLS OEWS (2024)
Rio Rancho, NM
New Mexico · Population: 47,823
- Median HH Income$50,294
- Median Home Price$362,476
- Unemployment5.9%
- Bachelor's+19.6%
Riverside, CA
California · Population: 316,241
- Median HH Income$88,575
- Median Home Price$648,603
- Unemployment6.0%
- Bachelor's+25.7%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Rio Rancho
47,823
Riverside
316,241
Riverside +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Rio Rancho
N/A
Riverside
N/A
Median Age
Rio Rancho
36.8
Riverside
33.1
Riverside +
Foreign Born
Rio Rancho
11.6%
Riverside
22.4%
Riverside +
White
Rio Rancho
62.2%
Rio Rancho +
Riverside
39.2%
Black
Rio Rancho
1.8%
Riverside
6.0%
Riverside +
Asian
Rio Rancho
1.6%
Riverside
8.3%
Riverside +
Hispanic
Rio Rancho
61.1%
Rio Rancho +
Riverside
54.6%
Spanish at Home
Rio Rancho
N/A
Riverside
N/A
| Metric | Rio Rancho, NM | Riverside, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 47,823 | 316,241 | Riverside + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.8 | 33.1 | Riverside + |
| Foreign Born | 11.6% | 22.4% | Riverside + |
| White | 62.2% | 39.2% | Rio Rancho + |
| Black | 1.8% | 6.0% | Riverside + |
| Asian | 1.6% | 8.3% | Riverside + |
| Hispanic | 61.1% | 54.6% | Rio Rancho + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Rio Rancho
$50,294
Riverside
$88,575
Riverside +
Per Capita Income
Rio Rancho
$28,418
Riverside
$33,716
Riverside +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Rio Rancho
$53,141
Riverside
$77,230
Riverside +
Unemployment Rate
Rio Rancho
5.9%
Rio Rancho +
Riverside
6.0%
Poverty Rate
Rio Rancho
24.2%
Riverside
12.5%
Riverside +
Bachelor's Degree+
Rio Rancho
19.6%
Riverside
25.7%
Riverside +
| Metric | Rio Rancho, NM | Riverside, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $50,294 | $88,575 | Riverside + |
| Per Capita Income | $28,418 | $33,716 | Riverside + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $53,141 | $77,230 | Riverside + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.9% | 6.0% | Rio Rancho + |
| Poverty Rate | 24.2% | 12.5% | Riverside + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 19.6% | 25.7% | Riverside + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Rio Rancho
$362,476
Rio Rancho +
Riverside
$648,603
Homeownership Rate
Rio Rancho
66.4%
Rio Rancho +
Riverside
56.3%
| Metric | Rio Rancho, NM | Riverside, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $362,476 | $648,603 | Rio Rancho + |
| Homeownership Rate | 66.4% | 56.3% | Rio Rancho + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Rio Rancho
834
Riverside
503
Riverside +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Rio Rancho
3177
Riverside
2388
Riverside +
| Metric | Rio Rancho, NM | Riverside, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 834 | 503 | Riverside + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 3177 | 2388 | Riverside + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Rio Rancho
31.9%
Rio Rancho +
Riverside
36.7%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Rio Rancho
10.6%
Rio Rancho +
Riverside
11.2%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Rio Rancho
15.4%
Rio Rancho +
Riverside
18.5%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Rio Rancho
11.5%
Rio Rancho +
Riverside
13.6%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Rio Rancho
15.0%
Rio Rancho +
Riverside
15.2%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Rio Rancho
10.5%
Rio Rancho +
Riverside
11.5%
| Metric | Rio Rancho, NM | Riverside, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 31.9% | 36.7% | Rio Rancho + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 10.6% | 11.2% | Rio Rancho + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 15.4% | 18.5% | Rio Rancho + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.5% | 13.6% | Rio Rancho + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.0% | 15.2% | Rio Rancho + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 10.5% | 11.5% | Rio Rancho + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Rio Rancho
55.7°F
Rio Rancho +
Riverside
66.8°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Rio Rancho
12.3 in
Riverside
10.3 in
Riverside +
| Metric | Rio Rancho, NM | Riverside, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 55.7°F | 66.8°F | Rio Rancho + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 12.3 in | 10.3 in | Riverside + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Rio Rancho
6.1 µg/m³
Rio Rancho +
Riverside
7.9 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Rio Rancho
75.0%
Riverside
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Rio Rancho, NM | Riverside, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 6.1 µg/m³ | 7.9 µg/m³ | Rio Rancho + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Rio Rancho
19.1 min
Rio Rancho +
Riverside
34.1 min
| Metric | Rio Rancho, NM | Riverside, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 19.1 min | 34.1 min | Rio Rancho + |
Which City is Right for You?
Riverside leads in median household income at $88,575, while rio Rancho offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $362,476. On public safety, Riverside is safer with a violent crime rate of 503 per 100,000 residents, compared to 834 in Rio Rancho. Rio Rancho 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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