Rio Rancho NM vs San Diego 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%
San Diego, CA
California · Population: 1,385,061
- Median HH Income$104,321
- Median Home Price$1,006,261
- Unemployment5.9%
- Bachelor's+49.9%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Rio Rancho
47,823
San Diego
1,385,061
San Diego +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Rio Rancho
N/A
San Diego
N/A
Median Age
Rio Rancho
36.8
San Diego
36.0
San Diego +
Foreign Born
Rio Rancho
11.6%
San Diego
24.8%
San Diego +
White
Rio Rancho
62.2%
Rio Rancho +
San Diego
50.4%
Black
Rio Rancho
1.8%
San Diego
5.7%
San Diego +
Asian
Rio Rancho
1.6%
San Diego
17.6%
San Diego +
Hispanic
Rio Rancho
61.1%
Rio Rancho +
San Diego
29.6%
Spanish at Home
Rio Rancho
N/A
San Diego
N/A
| Metric | Rio Rancho, NM | San Diego, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 47,823 | 1,385,061 | San Diego + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.8 | 36.0 | San Diego + |
| Foreign Born | 11.6% | 24.8% | San Diego + |
| White | 62.2% | 50.4% | Rio Rancho + |
| Black | 1.8% | 5.7% | San Diego + |
| Asian | 1.6% | 17.6% | San Diego + |
| Hispanic | 61.1% | 29.6% | Rio Rancho + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Rio Rancho
$50,294
San Diego
$104,321
San Diego +
Per Capita Income
Rio Rancho
$28,418
San Diego
$54,678
San Diego +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Rio Rancho
$53,141
San Diego
$77,230
San Diego +
Unemployment Rate
Rio Rancho
5.9%
San Diego
5.9%
San Diego +
Poverty Rate
Rio Rancho
24.2%
San Diego
11.1%
San Diego +
Bachelor's Degree+
Rio Rancho
19.6%
San Diego
49.9%
San Diego +
| Metric | Rio Rancho, NM | San Diego, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $50,294 | $104,321 | San Diego + |
| Per Capita Income | $28,418 | $54,678 | San Diego + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $53,141 | $77,230 | San Diego + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.9% | 5.9% | San Diego + |
| Poverty Rate | 24.2% | 11.1% | San Diego + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 19.6% | 49.9% | San Diego + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Rio Rancho
$362,476
Rio Rancho +
San Diego
$1,006,261
Homeownership Rate
Rio Rancho
66.4%
Rio Rancho +
San Diego
47.6%
| Metric | Rio Rancho, NM | San Diego, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $362,476 | $1,006,261 | Rio Rancho + |
| Homeownership Rate | 66.4% | 47.6% | Rio Rancho + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Rio Rancho
834
San Diego
503
San Diego +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Rio Rancho
3177
San Diego
2388
San Diego +
| Metric | Rio Rancho, NM | San Diego, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 834 | 503 | San Diego + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 3177 | 2388 | San Diego + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Rio Rancho
31.9%
San Diego
24.2%
San Diego +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Rio Rancho
10.6%
San Diego
9.2%
San Diego +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Rio Rancho
15.4%
Rio Rancho +
San Diego
16.5%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Rio Rancho
11.5%
San Diego
8.5%
San Diego +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Rio Rancho
15.0%
Rio Rancho +
San Diego
16.9%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Rio Rancho
10.5%
San Diego
9.3%
San Diego +
| Metric | Rio Rancho, NM | San Diego, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 31.9% | 24.2% | San Diego + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 10.6% | 9.2% | San Diego + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 15.4% | 16.5% | Rio Rancho + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.5% | 8.5% | San Diego + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.0% | 16.9% | Rio Rancho + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 10.5% | 9.3% | San Diego + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Rio Rancho
55.7°F
Rio Rancho +
San Diego
61.6°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Rio Rancho
12.3 in
San Diego
12.3 in
Tie
| Metric | Rio Rancho, NM | San Diego, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 55.7°F | 61.6°F | Rio Rancho + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 12.3 in | 12.3 in | Tie |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Rio Rancho
6.1 µg/m³
Rio Rancho +
San Diego
7.9 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Rio Rancho
75.0%
San Diego
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Rio Rancho, NM | San Diego, 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 +
San Diego
25.9 min
| Metric | Rio Rancho, NM | San Diego, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 19.1 min | 25.9 min | Rio Rancho + |
Which City is Right for You?
San Diego leads in median household income at $104,321, while rio Rancho offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $362,476. On public safety, San Diego is safer with a violent crime rate of 503 per 100,000 residents, compared to 834 in Rio Rancho. San Diego has a lower unemployment rate at 5.9%, and Rio Rancho has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 6.1 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, San Diego scores better with a lower obesity rate of 24.2%.
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