Rio Rancho NM vs Roanoke VA — 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%
Roanoke, VA
Virginia · Population: 98,677
- Median HH Income$52,671
- Median Home Price$279,668
- Unemployment5.5%
- Bachelor's+28.9%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Rio Rancho
47,823
Roanoke
98,677
Roanoke +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Rio Rancho
N/A
Roanoke
N/A
Median Age
Rio Rancho
36.8
Rio Rancho +
Roanoke
38.0
Foreign Born
Rio Rancho
11.6%
Rio Rancho +
Roanoke
7.5%
White
Rio Rancho
62.2%
Rio Rancho +
Roanoke
57.5%
Black
Rio Rancho
1.8%
Roanoke
29.0%
Roanoke +
Asian
Rio Rancho
1.6%
Roanoke
3.1%
Roanoke +
Hispanic
Rio Rancho
61.1%
Rio Rancho +
Roanoke
8.6%
Spanish at Home
Rio Rancho
N/A
Roanoke
N/A
| Metric | Rio Rancho, NM | Roanoke, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 47,823 | 98,677 | Roanoke + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.8 | 38.0 | Rio Rancho + |
| Foreign Born | 11.6% | 7.5% | Rio Rancho + |
| White | 62.2% | 57.5% | Rio Rancho + |
| Black | 1.8% | 29.0% | Roanoke + |
| Asian | 1.6% | 3.1% | Roanoke + |
| Hispanic | 61.1% | 8.6% | Rio Rancho + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Rio Rancho
$50,294
Roanoke
$52,671
Roanoke +
Per Capita Income
Rio Rancho
$28,418
Roanoke
$34,792
Roanoke +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Rio Rancho
$53,141
Roanoke
$69,581
Roanoke +
Unemployment Rate
Rio Rancho
5.9%
Roanoke
5.5%
Roanoke +
Poverty Rate
Rio Rancho
24.2%
Roanoke
19.7%
Roanoke +
Bachelor's Degree+
Rio Rancho
19.6%
Roanoke
28.9%
Roanoke +
| Metric | Rio Rancho, NM | Roanoke, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $50,294 | $52,671 | Roanoke + |
| Per Capita Income | $28,418 | $34,792 | Roanoke + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $53,141 | $69,581 | Roanoke + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.9% | 5.5% | Roanoke + |
| Poverty Rate | 24.2% | 19.7% | Roanoke + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 19.6% | 28.9% | Roanoke + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Rio Rancho
$362,476
Roanoke
$279,668
Roanoke +
Homeownership Rate
Rio Rancho
66.4%
Rio Rancho +
Roanoke
51.7%
| Metric | Rio Rancho, NM | Roanoke, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $362,476 | $279,668 | Roanoke + |
| Homeownership Rate | 66.4% | 51.7% | Rio Rancho + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Rio Rancho
834
Roanoke
240
Roanoke +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Rio Rancho
3177
Roanoke
1726
Roanoke +
| Metric | Rio Rancho, NM | Roanoke, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 834 | 240 | Roanoke + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 3177 | 1726 | Roanoke + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Rio Rancho
31.9%
Rio Rancho +
Roanoke
41.9%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Rio Rancho
10.6%
Rio Rancho +
Roanoke
14.9%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Rio Rancho
15.4%
Rio Rancho +
Roanoke
18.4%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Rio Rancho
11.5%
Roanoke
11.0%
Roanoke +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Rio Rancho
15.0%
Roanoke
14.7%
Roanoke +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Rio Rancho
10.5%
Rio Rancho +
Roanoke
16.7%
| Metric | Rio Rancho, NM | Roanoke, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 31.9% | 41.9% | Rio Rancho + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 10.6% | 14.9% | Rio Rancho + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 15.4% | 18.4% | Rio Rancho + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.5% | 11.0% | Roanoke + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.0% | 14.7% | Roanoke + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 10.5% | 16.7% | Rio Rancho + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Rio Rancho
55.7°F
Rio Rancho +
Roanoke
56.0°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Rio Rancho
12.3 in
Rio Rancho +
Roanoke
44.5 in
| Metric | Rio Rancho, NM | Roanoke, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 55.7°F | 56.0°F | Rio Rancho + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 12.3 in | 44.5 in | Rio Rancho + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Rio Rancho
6.1 µg/m³
Rio Rancho +
Roanoke
8.2 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Rio Rancho
75.0%
Roanoke
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Rio Rancho, NM | Roanoke, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 6.1 µg/m³ | 8.2 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 +
Roanoke
21.6 min
| Metric | Rio Rancho, NM | Roanoke, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 19.1 min | 21.6 min | Rio Rancho + |
Which City is Right for You?
Roanoke leads in median household income at $52,671, while roanoke offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $279,668. On public safety, Roanoke is safer with a violent crime rate of 240 per 100,000 residents, compared to 834 in Rio Rancho. Roanoke has a lower unemployment rate at 5.5%, 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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