Rio Rancho NM vs Salt Lake City UT — 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%
Salt Lake City, UT
Utah · Population: 203,888
- Median HH Income$74,925
- Median Home Price$580,126
- Unemployment3.8%
- Bachelor's+50.9%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Rio Rancho
47,823
Salt Lake City
203,888
Salt Lake City +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Rio Rancho
N/A
Salt Lake City
N/A
Median Age
Rio Rancho
36.8
Salt Lake City
33.0
Salt Lake City +
Foreign Born
Rio Rancho
11.6%
Salt Lake City
15.4%
Salt Lake City +
White
Rio Rancho
62.2%
Salt Lake City
70.5%
Salt Lake City +
Black
Rio Rancho
1.8%
Salt Lake City
2.7%
Salt Lake City +
Asian
Rio Rancho
1.6%
Salt Lake City
5.3%
Salt Lake City +
Hispanic
Rio Rancho
61.1%
Rio Rancho +
Salt Lake City
20.8%
Spanish at Home
Rio Rancho
N/A
Salt Lake City
N/A
| Metric | Rio Rancho, NM | Salt Lake City, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 47,823 | 203,888 | Salt Lake City + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.8 | 33.0 | Salt Lake City + |
| Foreign Born | 11.6% | 15.4% | Salt Lake City + |
| White | 62.2% | 70.5% | Salt Lake City + |
| Black | 1.8% | 2.7% | Salt Lake City + |
| Asian | 1.6% | 5.3% | Salt Lake City + |
| Hispanic | 61.1% | 20.8% | Rio Rancho + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Rio Rancho
$50,294
Salt Lake City
$74,925
Salt Lake City +
Per Capita Income
Rio Rancho
$28,418
Salt Lake City
$49,642
Salt Lake City +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Rio Rancho
$53,141
Salt Lake City
$60,713
Salt Lake City +
Unemployment Rate
Rio Rancho
5.9%
Salt Lake City
3.8%
Salt Lake City +
Poverty Rate
Rio Rancho
24.2%
Salt Lake City
13.4%
Salt Lake City +
Bachelor's Degree+
Rio Rancho
19.6%
Salt Lake City
50.9%
Salt Lake City +
| Metric | Rio Rancho, NM | Salt Lake City, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $50,294 | $74,925 | Salt Lake City + |
| Per Capita Income | $28,418 | $49,642 | Salt Lake City + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $53,141 | $60,713 | Salt Lake City + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.9% | 3.8% | Salt Lake City + |
| Poverty Rate | 24.2% | 13.4% | Salt Lake City + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 19.6% | 50.9% | Salt Lake City + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Rio Rancho
$362,476
Rio Rancho +
Salt Lake City
$580,126
Homeownership Rate
Rio Rancho
66.4%
Rio Rancho +
Salt Lake City
46.8%
| Metric | Rio Rancho, NM | Salt Lake City, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $362,476 | $580,126 | Rio Rancho + |
| Homeownership Rate | 66.4% | 46.8% | Rio Rancho + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Rio Rancho
834
Salt Lake City
245
Salt Lake City +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Rio Rancho
3177
Salt Lake City
1931
Salt Lake City +
| Metric | Rio Rancho, NM | Salt Lake City, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 834 | 245 | Salt Lake City + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 3177 | 1931 | Salt Lake City + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Rio Rancho
31.9%
Salt Lake City
29.5%
Salt Lake City +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Rio Rancho
10.6%
Salt Lake City
7.9%
Salt Lake City +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Rio Rancho
15.4%
Rio Rancho +
Salt Lake City
18.2%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Rio Rancho
11.5%
Rio Rancho +
Salt Lake City
12.3%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Rio Rancho
15.0%
Rio Rancho +
Salt Lake City
16.0%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Rio Rancho
10.5%
Salt Lake City
7.9%
Salt Lake City +
| Metric | Rio Rancho, NM | Salt Lake City, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 31.9% | 29.5% | Salt Lake City + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 10.6% | 7.9% | Salt Lake City + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 15.4% | 18.2% | Rio Rancho + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.5% | 12.3% | Rio Rancho + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.0% | 16.0% | Rio Rancho + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 10.5% | 7.9% | Salt Lake City + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Rio Rancho
55.7°F
Salt Lake City
52.8°F
Salt Lake City +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Rio Rancho
12.3 in
Rio Rancho +
Salt Lake City
16.1 in
| Metric | Rio Rancho, NM | Salt Lake City, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 55.7°F | 52.8°F | Salt Lake City + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 12.3 in | 16.1 in | Rio Rancho + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Rio Rancho
6.1 µg/m³
Rio Rancho +
Salt Lake City
7.0 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Rio Rancho
75.0%
Salt Lake City
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Rio Rancho, NM | Salt Lake City, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 6.1 µg/m³ | 7.0 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 +
Salt Lake City
21.3 min
| Metric | Rio Rancho, NM | Salt Lake City, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 19.1 min | 21.3 min | Rio Rancho + |
Which City is Right for You?
Salt Lake City leads in median household income at $74,925, while rio Rancho offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $362,476. On public safety, Salt Lake City is safer with a violent crime rate of 245 per 100,000 residents, compared to 834 in Rio Rancho. Salt Lake City has a lower unemployment rate at 3.8%, and Rio Rancho has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 6.1 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Salt Lake City scores better with a lower obesity rate of 29.5%.
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