Rio Rancho NM vs Salem OR — 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%
Salem, OR
Oregon · Population: 176,666
- Median HH Income$71,900
- Median Home Price$438,754
- Unemployment5.3%
- Bachelor's+31.4%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Rio Rancho
47,823
Salem
176,666
Salem +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Rio Rancho
N/A
Salem
N/A
Median Age
Rio Rancho
36.8
Salem
35.7
Salem +
Foreign Born
Rio Rancho
11.6%
Salem
12.2%
Salem +
White
Rio Rancho
62.2%
Salem
69.8%
Salem +
Black
Rio Rancho
1.8%
Rio Rancho +
Salem
1.6%
Asian
Rio Rancho
1.6%
Salem
3.5%
Salem +
Hispanic
Rio Rancho
61.1%
Rio Rancho +
Salem
23.4%
Spanish at Home
Rio Rancho
N/A
Salem
N/A
| Metric | Rio Rancho, NM | Salem, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 47,823 | 176,666 | Salem + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.8 | 35.7 | Salem + |
| Foreign Born | 11.6% | 12.2% | Salem + |
| White | 62.2% | 69.8% | Salem + |
| Black | 1.8% | 1.6% | Rio Rancho + |
| Asian | 1.6% | 3.5% | Salem + |
| Hispanic | 61.1% | 23.4% | Rio Rancho + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Rio Rancho
$50,294
Salem
$71,900
Salem +
Per Capita Income
Rio Rancho
$28,418
Salem
$36,477
Salem +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Rio Rancho
$53,141
Salem
$63,691
Salem +
Unemployment Rate
Rio Rancho
5.9%
Salem
5.3%
Salem +
Poverty Rate
Rio Rancho
24.2%
Salem
14.7%
Salem +
Bachelor's Degree+
Rio Rancho
19.6%
Salem
31.4%
Salem +
| Metric | Rio Rancho, NM | Salem, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $50,294 | $71,900 | Salem + |
| Per Capita Income | $28,418 | $36,477 | Salem + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $53,141 | $63,691 | Salem + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.9% | 5.3% | Salem + |
| Poverty Rate | 24.2% | 14.7% | Salem + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 19.6% | 31.4% | Salem + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Rio Rancho
$362,476
Rio Rancho +
Salem
$438,754
Homeownership Rate
Rio Rancho
66.4%
Rio Rancho +
Salem
55.7%
| Metric | Rio Rancho, NM | Salem, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $362,476 | $438,754 | Rio Rancho + |
| Homeownership Rate | 66.4% | 55.7% | Rio Rancho + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Rio Rancho
834
Salem
355
Salem +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Rio Rancho
3177
Salem
3001
Salem +
| Metric | Rio Rancho, NM | Salem, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 834 | 355 | Salem + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 3177 | 3001 | Salem + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Rio Rancho
31.9%
Rio Rancho +
Salem
41.4%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Rio Rancho
10.6%
Rio Rancho +
Salem
11.7%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Rio Rancho
15.4%
Rio Rancho +
Salem
18.8%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Rio Rancho
11.5%
Rio Rancho +
Salem
11.6%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Rio Rancho
15.0%
Rio Rancho +
Salem
16.2%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Rio Rancho
10.5%
Rio Rancho +
Salem
12.4%
| Metric | Rio Rancho, NM | Salem, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 31.9% | 41.4% | Rio Rancho + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 10.6% | 11.7% | Rio Rancho + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 15.4% | 18.8% | Rio Rancho + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.5% | 11.6% | Rio Rancho + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.0% | 16.2% | Rio Rancho + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 10.5% | 12.4% | Rio Rancho + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Rio Rancho
55.7°F
Salem
53.0°F
Salem +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Rio Rancho
12.3 in
Rio Rancho +
Salem
39.7 in
| Metric | Rio Rancho, NM | Salem, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 55.7°F | 53.0°F | Salem + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 12.3 in | 39.7 in | Rio Rancho + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Rio Rancho
6.1 µg/m³
Rio Rancho +
Salem
9.0 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Rio Rancho
75.0%
Rio Rancho +
Salem
55.0%
| Metric | Rio Rancho, NM | Salem, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 6.1 µg/m³ | 9.0 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 +
Salem
24.5 min
| Metric | Rio Rancho, NM | Salem, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 19.1 min | 24.5 min | Rio Rancho + |
Which City is Right for You?
Salem leads in median household income at $71,900, while rio Rancho offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $362,476. On public safety, Salem is safer with a violent crime rate of 355 per 100,000 residents, compared to 834 in Rio Rancho. Salem has a lower unemployment rate at 5.3%, 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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