Rio Rancho NM vs Rochester MN — 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%
Rochester, MN
Minnesota · Population: 26,509
- Median HH Income$127,247
- Median Home Price$344,633
- Unemployment3.2%
- Bachelor's+50.3%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Rio Rancho
47,823
Rio Rancho +
Rochester
26,509
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Rio Rancho
N/A
Rochester
N/A
Median Age
Rio Rancho
36.8
Rio Rancho +
Rochester
38.7
Foreign Born
Rio Rancho
11.6%
Rio Rancho +
Rochester
7.1%
White
Rio Rancho
62.2%
Rochester
82.9%
Rochester +
Black
Rio Rancho
1.8%
Rochester
3.6%
Rochester +
Asian
Rio Rancho
1.6%
Rochester
5.2%
Rochester +
Hispanic
Rio Rancho
61.1%
Rio Rancho +
Rochester
3.9%
Spanish at Home
Rio Rancho
N/A
Rochester
N/A
| Metric | Rio Rancho, NM | Rochester, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 47,823 | 26,509 | Rio Rancho + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.8 | 38.7 | Rio Rancho + |
| Foreign Born | 11.6% | 7.1% | Rio Rancho + |
| White | 62.2% | 82.9% | Rochester + |
| Black | 1.8% | 3.6% | Rochester + |
| Asian | 1.6% | 5.2% | Rochester + |
| Hispanic | 61.1% | 3.9% | Rio Rancho + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Rio Rancho
$50,294
Rochester
$127,247
Rochester +
Per Capita Income
Rio Rancho
$28,418
Rochester
$57,602
Rochester +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Rio Rancho
$53,141
Rochester
$69,467
Rochester +
Unemployment Rate
Rio Rancho
5.9%
Rochester
3.2%
Rochester +
Poverty Rate
Rio Rancho
24.2%
Rochester
2.9%
Rochester +
Bachelor's Degree+
Rio Rancho
19.6%
Rochester
50.3%
Rochester +
| Metric | Rio Rancho, NM | Rochester, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $50,294 | $127,247 | Rochester + |
| Per Capita Income | $28,418 | $57,602 | Rochester + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $53,141 | $69,467 | Rochester + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.9% | 3.2% | Rochester + |
| Poverty Rate | 24.2% | 2.9% | Rochester + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 19.6% | 50.3% | Rochester + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Rio Rancho
$362,476
Rochester
$344,633
Rochester +
Homeownership Rate
Rio Rancho
66.4%
Rochester
86.6%
Rochester +
| Metric | Rio Rancho, NM | Rochester, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $362,476 | $344,633 | Rochester + |
| Homeownership Rate | 66.4% | 86.6% | Rochester + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Rio Rancho
834
Rochester
284
Rochester +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Rio Rancho
3177
Rochester
1992
Rochester +
| Metric | Rio Rancho, NM | Rochester, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 834 | 284 | Rochester + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 3177 | 1992 | Rochester + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Rio Rancho
31.9%
Rio Rancho +
Rochester
36.4%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Rio Rancho
10.6%
Rochester
9.2%
Rochester +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Rio Rancho
15.4%
Rochester
14.3%
Rochester +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Rio Rancho
11.5%
Rochester
7.1%
Rochester +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Rio Rancho
15.0%
Rio Rancho +
Rochester
16.0%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Rio Rancho
10.5%
Rio Rancho +
Rochester
11.4%
| Metric | Rio Rancho, NM | Rochester, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 31.9% | 36.4% | Rio Rancho + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 10.6% | 9.2% | Rochester + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 15.4% | 14.3% | Rochester + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.5% | 7.1% | Rochester + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.0% | 16.0% | Rio Rancho + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 10.5% | 11.4% | Rio Rancho + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Rio Rancho
55.7°F
Rochester
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Rio Rancho
12.3 in
Rio Rancho +
Rochester
34.0 in
| Metric | Rio Rancho, NM | Rochester, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 55.7°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 12.3 in | 34.0 in | Rio Rancho + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Rio Rancho
6.1 µg/m³
Rio Rancho +
Rochester
8.1 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Rio Rancho
75.0%
Rochester
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Rio Rancho, NM | Rochester, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 6.1 µg/m³ | 8.1 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 +
Rochester
28.3 min
| Metric | Rio Rancho, NM | Rochester, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 19.1 min | 28.3 min | Rio Rancho + |
Which City is Right for You?
Rochester leads in median household income at $127,247, while rochester offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $344,633. On public safety, Rochester is safer with a violent crime rate of 284 per 100,000 residents, compared to 834 in Rio Rancho. Rochester has a lower unemployment rate at 3.2%, 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%.
Compare More Cities
New York, NY vs Rio Rancho, NMLos Angeles, CA vs Rio Rancho, NMChicago, IL vs Rio Rancho, NMHouston, TX vs Rio Rancho, NMPhoenix, AZ vs Rio Rancho, NMPhiladelphia, PA vs Rio Rancho, NM