Rio Rancho NM vs Salinas CA — 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%
Salinas, CA
California · Population: 161,993
- Median HH Income$89,150
- Median Home Price$751,711
- Unemployment4.7%
- Bachelor's+15.5%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Rio Rancho
47,823
Salinas
161,993
Salinas +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Rio Rancho
N/A
Salinas
N/A
Median Age
Rio Rancho
36.8
Salinas
32.1
Salinas +
Foreign Born
Rio Rancho
11.6%
Salinas
36.3%
Salinas +
White
Rio Rancho
62.2%
Rio Rancho +
Salinas
21.8%
Black
Rio Rancho
1.8%
Rio Rancho +
Salinas
1.4%
Asian
Rio Rancho
1.6%
Salinas
5.7%
Salinas +
Hispanic
Rio Rancho
61.1%
Salinas
80.3%
Salinas +
Spanish at Home
Rio Rancho
N/A
Salinas
N/A
| Metric | Rio Rancho, NM | Salinas, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 47,823 | 161,993 | Salinas + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.8 | 32.1 | Salinas + |
| Foreign Born | 11.6% | 36.3% | Salinas + |
| White | 62.2% | 21.8% | Rio Rancho + |
| Black | 1.8% | 1.4% | Rio Rancho + |
| Asian | 1.6% | 5.7% | Salinas + |
| Hispanic | 61.1% | 80.3% | Salinas + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Rio Rancho
$50,294
Salinas
$89,150
Salinas +
Per Capita Income
Rio Rancho
$28,418
Salinas
$28,813
Salinas +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Rio Rancho
$53,141
Salinas
$77,230
Salinas +
Unemployment Rate
Rio Rancho
5.9%
Salinas
4.7%
Salinas +
Poverty Rate
Rio Rancho
24.2%
Salinas
14.2%
Salinas +
Bachelor's Degree+
Rio Rancho
19.6%
Rio Rancho +
Salinas
15.5%
| Metric | Rio Rancho, NM | Salinas, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $50,294 | $89,150 | Salinas + |
| Per Capita Income | $28,418 | $28,813 | Salinas + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $53,141 | $77,230 | Salinas + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.9% | 4.7% | Salinas + |
| Poverty Rate | 24.2% | 14.2% | Salinas + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 19.6% | 15.5% | Rio Rancho + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Rio Rancho
$362,476
Rio Rancho +
Salinas
$751,711
Homeownership Rate
Rio Rancho
66.4%
Rio Rancho +
Salinas
47.0%
| Metric | Rio Rancho, NM | Salinas, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $362,476 | $751,711 | Rio Rancho + |
| Homeownership Rate | 66.4% | 47.0% | Rio Rancho + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Rio Rancho
834
Salinas
503
Salinas +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Rio Rancho
3177
Salinas
2388
Salinas +
| Metric | Rio Rancho, NM | Salinas, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 834 | 503 | Salinas + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 3177 | 2388 | Salinas + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Rio Rancho
31.9%
Rio Rancho +
Salinas
32.8%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Rio Rancho
10.6%
Rio Rancho +
Salinas
12.4%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Rio Rancho
15.4%
Rio Rancho +
Salinas
18.2%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Rio Rancho
11.5%
Rio Rancho +
Salinas
22.4%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Rio Rancho
15.0%
Rio Rancho +
Salinas
16.8%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Rio Rancho
10.5%
Rio Rancho +
Salinas
12.9%
| Metric | Rio Rancho, NM | Salinas, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 31.9% | 32.8% | Rio Rancho + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 10.6% | 12.4% | Rio Rancho + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 15.4% | 18.2% | Rio Rancho + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.5% | 22.4% | Rio Rancho + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.0% | 16.8% | Rio Rancho + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 10.5% | 12.9% | Rio Rancho + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Rio Rancho
55.7°F
Rio Rancho +
Salinas
57.3°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Rio Rancho
12.3 in
Rio Rancho +
Salinas
15.5 in
| Metric | Rio Rancho, NM | Salinas, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 55.7°F | 57.3°F | Rio Rancho + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 12.3 in | 15.5 in | Rio Rancho + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Rio Rancho
6.1 µg/m³
Rio Rancho +
Salinas
7.9 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Rio Rancho
75.0%
Salinas
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Rio Rancho, NM | Salinas, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 6.1 µg/m³ | 7.9 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 +
Salinas
28.8 min
| Metric | Rio Rancho, NM | Salinas, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 19.1 min | 28.8 min | Rio Rancho + |
Which City is Right for You?
Salinas leads in median household income at $89,150, while rio Rancho offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $362,476. On public safety, Salinas is safer with a violent crime rate of 503 per 100,000 residents, compared to 834 in Rio Rancho. Salinas has a lower unemployment rate at 4.7%, 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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