Rio Rancho NM vs Rochester NY — 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, NY
New York · Population: 209,720
- Median HH Income$46,628
- Median Home Price$241,627
- Unemployment7.9%
- Bachelor's+29.9%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Rio Rancho
47,823
Rochester
209,720
Rochester +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Rio Rancho
N/A
Rochester
N/A
Median Age
Rio Rancho
36.8
Rochester
33.5
Rochester +
Foreign Born
Rio Rancho
11.6%
Rio Rancho +
Rochester
8.3%
White
Rio Rancho
62.2%
Rio Rancho +
Rochester
41.5%
Black
Rio Rancho
1.8%
Rochester
37.5%
Rochester +
Asian
Rio Rancho
1.6%
Rochester
3.2%
Rochester +
Hispanic
Rio Rancho
61.1%
Rio Rancho +
Rochester
20.0%
Spanish at Home
Rio Rancho
N/A
Rochester
N/A
| Metric | Rio Rancho, NM | Rochester, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 47,823 | 209,720 | Rochester + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.8 | 33.5 | Rochester + |
| Foreign Born | 11.6% | 8.3% | Rio Rancho + |
| White | 62.2% | 41.5% | Rio Rancho + |
| Black | 1.8% | 37.5% | Rochester + |
| Asian | 1.6% | 3.2% | Rochester + |
| Hispanic | 61.1% | 20.0% | Rio Rancho + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Rio Rancho
$50,294
Rio Rancho +
Rochester
$46,628
Per Capita Income
Rio Rancho
$28,418
Rochester
$30,451
Rochester +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Rio Rancho
$53,141
Rochester
$77,425
Rochester +
Unemployment Rate
Rio Rancho
5.9%
Rio Rancho +
Rochester
7.9%
Poverty Rate
Rio Rancho
24.2%
Rio Rancho +
Rochester
26.6%
Bachelor's Degree+
Rio Rancho
19.6%
Rochester
29.9%
Rochester +
| Metric | Rio Rancho, NM | Rochester, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $50,294 | $46,628 | Rio Rancho + |
| Per Capita Income | $28,418 | $30,451 | Rochester + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $53,141 | $77,425 | Rochester + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.9% | 7.9% | Rio Rancho + |
| Poverty Rate | 24.2% | 26.6% | Rio Rancho + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 19.6% | 29.9% | Rochester + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Rio Rancho
$362,476
Rochester
$241,627
Rochester +
Homeownership Rate
Rio Rancho
66.4%
Rio Rancho +
Rochester
37.2%
| Metric | Rio Rancho, NM | Rochester, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $362,476 | $241,627 | Rochester + |
| Homeownership Rate | 66.4% | 37.2% | Rio Rancho + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Rio Rancho
834
Rochester
434
Rochester +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Rio Rancho
3177
Rochester
1736
Rochester +
| Metric | Rio Rancho, NM | Rochester, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 834 | 434 | Rochester + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 3177 | 1736 | Rochester + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Rio Rancho
31.9%
Rio Rancho +
Rochester
38.0%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Rio Rancho
10.6%
Rio Rancho +
Rochester
14.3%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Rio Rancho
15.4%
Rio Rancho +
Rochester
18.8%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Rio Rancho
11.5%
Rochester
10.9%
Rochester +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Rio Rancho
15.0%
Rio Rancho +
Rochester
16.3%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Rio Rancho
10.5%
Rio Rancho +
Rochester
16.6%
| Metric | Rio Rancho, NM | Rochester, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 31.9% | 38.0% | Rio Rancho + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 10.6% | 14.3% | Rio Rancho + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 15.4% | 18.8% | Rio Rancho + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.5% | 10.9% | Rochester + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.0% | 16.3% | Rio Rancho + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 10.5% | 16.6% | Rio Rancho + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Rio Rancho
55.7°F
Rochester
48.2°F
Rochester +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Rio Rancho
12.3 in
Rio Rancho +
Rochester
34.3 in
| Metric | Rio Rancho, NM | Rochester, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 55.7°F | 48.2°F | Rochester + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 12.3 in | 34.3 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, NY | 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
20.6 min
| Metric | Rio Rancho, NM | Rochester, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 19.1 min | 20.6 min | Rio Rancho + |
Which City is Right for You?
Rio Rancho leads in median household income at $50,294, while rochester offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $241,627. On public safety, Rochester is safer with a violent crime rate of 434 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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