Rio Rancho NM vs Round Rock TX — 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%
Round Rock, TX
Texas · Population: 124,288
- Median HH Income$97,187
- Median Home Price$411,570
- Unemployment3.6%
- Bachelor's+43.6%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Rio Rancho
47,823
Round Rock
124,288
Round Rock +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Rio Rancho
N/A
Round Rock
N/A
Median Age
Rio Rancho
36.8
Round Rock
36.2
Round Rock +
Foreign Born
Rio Rancho
11.6%
Round Rock
15.5%
Round Rock +
White
Rio Rancho
62.2%
Rio Rancho +
Round Rock
58.3%
Black
Rio Rancho
1.8%
Round Rock
11.2%
Round Rock +
Asian
Rio Rancho
1.6%
Round Rock
7.3%
Round Rock +
Hispanic
Rio Rancho
61.1%
Rio Rancho +
Round Rock
29.1%
Spanish at Home
Rio Rancho
N/A
Round Rock
N/A
| Metric | Rio Rancho, NM | Round Rock, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 47,823 | 124,288 | Round Rock + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.8 | 36.2 | Round Rock + |
| Foreign Born | 11.6% | 15.5% | Round Rock + |
| White | 62.2% | 58.3% | Rio Rancho + |
| Black | 1.8% | 11.2% | Round Rock + |
| Asian | 1.6% | 7.3% | Round Rock + |
| Hispanic | 61.1% | 29.1% | Rio Rancho + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Rio Rancho
$50,294
Round Rock
$97,187
Round Rock +
Per Capita Income
Rio Rancho
$28,418
Round Rock
$47,829
Round Rock +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Rio Rancho
$53,141
Round Rock
$63,758
Round Rock +
Unemployment Rate
Rio Rancho
5.9%
Round Rock
3.6%
Round Rock +
Poverty Rate
Rio Rancho
24.2%
Round Rock
7.7%
Round Rock +
Bachelor's Degree+
Rio Rancho
19.6%
Round Rock
43.6%
Round Rock +
| Metric | Rio Rancho, NM | Round Rock, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $50,294 | $97,187 | Round Rock + |
| Per Capita Income | $28,418 | $47,829 | Round Rock + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $53,141 | $63,758 | Round Rock + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.9% | 3.6% | Round Rock + |
| Poverty Rate | 24.2% | 7.7% | Round Rock + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 19.6% | 43.6% | Round Rock + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Rio Rancho
$362,476
Rio Rancho +
Round Rock
$411,570
Homeownership Rate
Rio Rancho
66.4%
Rio Rancho +
Round Rock
56.3%
| Metric | Rio Rancho, NM | Round Rock, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $362,476 | $411,570 | Rio Rancho + |
| Homeownership Rate | 66.4% | 56.3% | Rio Rancho + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Rio Rancho
834
Round Rock
442
Round Rock +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Rio Rancho
3177
Round Rock
2339
Round Rock +
| Metric | Rio Rancho, NM | Round Rock, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 834 | 442 | Round Rock + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 3177 | 2339 | Round Rock + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Rio Rancho
31.9%
Rio Rancho +
Round Rock
34.2%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Rio Rancho
10.6%
Round Rock
9.8%
Round Rock +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Rio Rancho
15.4%
Rio Rancho +
Round Rock
16.6%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Rio Rancho
11.5%
Rio Rancho +
Round Rock
14.1%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Rio Rancho
15.0%
Rio Rancho +
Round Rock
17.3%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Rio Rancho
10.5%
Rio Rancho +
Round Rock
10.6%
| Metric | Rio Rancho, NM | Round Rock, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 31.9% | 34.2% | Rio Rancho + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 10.6% | 9.8% | Round Rock + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 15.4% | 16.6% | Rio Rancho + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.5% | 14.1% | Rio Rancho + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.0% | 17.3% | Rio Rancho + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 10.5% | 10.6% | Rio Rancho + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Rio Rancho
55.7°F
Round Rock
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Rio Rancho
12.3 in
Rio Rancho +
Round Rock
35.7 in
| Metric | Rio Rancho, NM | Round Rock, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 55.7°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 12.3 in | 35.7 in | Rio Rancho + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Rio Rancho
6.1 µg/m³
Rio Rancho +
Round Rock
9.2 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Rio Rancho
75.0%
Rio Rancho +
Round Rock
55.0%
| Metric | Rio Rancho, NM | Round Rock, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 6.1 µg/m³ | 9.2 µg/m³ | Rio Rancho + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Rio Rancho + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Rio Rancho
19.1 min
Rio Rancho +
Round Rock
26.1 min
| Metric | Rio Rancho, NM | Round Rock, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 19.1 min | 26.1 min | Rio Rancho + |
Which City is Right for You?
Round Rock leads in median household income at $97,187, while rio Rancho offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $362,476. On public safety, Round Rock is safer with a violent crime rate of 442 per 100,000 residents, compared to 834 in Rio Rancho. Round Rock has a lower unemployment rate at 3.6%, 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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