Rio Rancho NM vs Saint Paul 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%
Saint Paul, MN
Minnesota · Population: 307,762
- Median HH Income$73,055
- Median Home Price$297,021
- Unemployment4.9%
- Bachelor's+43.5%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Rio Rancho
47,823
Saint Paul
307,762
Saint Paul +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Rio Rancho
N/A
Saint Paul
N/A
Median Age
Rio Rancho
36.8
Saint Paul
33.5
Saint Paul +
Foreign Born
Rio Rancho
11.6%
Saint Paul
18.7%
Saint Paul +
White
Rio Rancho
62.2%
Rio Rancho +
Saint Paul
53.2%
Black
Rio Rancho
1.8%
Saint Paul
16.2%
Saint Paul +
Asian
Rio Rancho
1.6%
Saint Paul
17.9%
Saint Paul +
Hispanic
Rio Rancho
61.1%
Rio Rancho +
Saint Paul
9.1%
Spanish at Home
Rio Rancho
N/A
Saint Paul
N/A
| Metric | Rio Rancho, NM | Saint Paul, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 47,823 | 307,762 | Saint Paul + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.8 | 33.5 | Saint Paul + |
| Foreign Born | 11.6% | 18.7% | Saint Paul + |
| White | 62.2% | 53.2% | Rio Rancho + |
| Black | 1.8% | 16.2% | Saint Paul + |
| Asian | 1.6% | 17.9% | Saint Paul + |
| Hispanic | 61.1% | 9.1% | Rio Rancho + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Rio Rancho
$50,294
Saint Paul
$73,055
Saint Paul +
Per Capita Income
Rio Rancho
$28,418
Saint Paul
$41,594
Saint Paul +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Rio Rancho
$53,141
Saint Paul
$69,467
Saint Paul +
Unemployment Rate
Rio Rancho
5.9%
Saint Paul
4.9%
Saint Paul +
Poverty Rate
Rio Rancho
24.2%
Saint Paul
15.8%
Saint Paul +
Bachelor's Degree+
Rio Rancho
19.6%
Saint Paul
43.5%
Saint Paul +
| Metric | Rio Rancho, NM | Saint Paul, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $50,294 | $73,055 | Saint Paul + |
| Per Capita Income | $28,418 | $41,594 | Saint Paul + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $53,141 | $69,467 | Saint Paul + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.9% | 4.9% | Saint Paul + |
| Poverty Rate | 24.2% | 15.8% | Saint Paul + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 19.6% | 43.5% | Saint Paul + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Rio Rancho
$362,476
Saint Paul
$297,021
Saint Paul +
Homeownership Rate
Rio Rancho
66.4%
Rio Rancho +
Saint Paul
53.2%
| Metric | Rio Rancho, NM | Saint Paul, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $362,476 | $297,021 | Saint Paul + |
| Homeownership Rate | 66.4% | 53.2% | Rio Rancho + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Rio Rancho
834
Saint Paul
284
Saint Paul +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Rio Rancho
3177
Saint Paul
1992
Saint Paul +
| Metric | Rio Rancho, NM | Saint Paul, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 834 | 284 | Saint Paul + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 3177 | 1992 | Saint Paul + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Rio Rancho
31.9%
Saint Paul
N/A
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Rio Rancho
10.6%
Saint Paul
N/A
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Rio Rancho
15.4%
Saint Paul
N/A
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Rio Rancho
11.5%
Saint Paul
N/A
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Rio Rancho
15.0%
Saint Paul
N/A
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Rio Rancho
10.5%
Saint Paul
N/A
| Metric | Rio Rancho, NM | Saint Paul, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 31.9% | N/A | - |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 10.6% | N/A | - |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 15.4% | N/A | - |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.5% | N/A | - |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.0% | N/A | - |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 10.5% | N/A | - |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Rio Rancho
55.7°F
Saint Paul
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Rio Rancho
12.3 in
Saint Paul
N/A
| Metric | Rio Rancho, NM | Saint Paul, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 55.7°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 12.3 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Rio Rancho
6.1 µg/m³
Rio Rancho +
Saint Paul
8.1 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Rio Rancho
75.0%
Saint Paul
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Rio Rancho, NM | Saint Paul, 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 +
Saint Paul
24.1 min
| Metric | Rio Rancho, NM | Saint Paul, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 19.1 min | 24.1 min | Rio Rancho + |
Which City is Right for You?
Saint Paul leads in median household income at $73,055, while saint Paul offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $297,021. On public safety, Saint Paul is safer with a violent crime rate of 284 per 100,000 residents, compared to 834 in Rio Rancho. Saint Paul has a lower unemployment rate at 4.9%, and Rio Rancho has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 6.1 µg/m³).
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