Rio Rancho NM vs San Francisco 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 Francisco, CA
California · Population: 836,321
- Median HH Income$141,446
- Median Home Price$1,369,171
- Unemployment5.6%
- Bachelor's+60.1%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Rio Rancho
47,823
San Francisco
836,321
San Francisco +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Rio Rancho
N/A
San Francisco
N/A
Median Age
Rio Rancho
36.8
Rio Rancho +
San Francisco
39.7
Foreign Born
Rio Rancho
11.6%
San Francisco
34.2%
San Francisco +
White
Rio Rancho
62.2%
Rio Rancho +
San Francisco
40.5%
Black
Rio Rancho
1.8%
San Francisco
5.1%
San Francisco +
Asian
Rio Rancho
1.6%
San Francisco
35.0%
San Francisco +
Hispanic
Rio Rancho
61.1%
Rio Rancho +
San Francisco
15.9%
Spanish at Home
Rio Rancho
N/A
San Francisco
N/A
| Metric | Rio Rancho, NM | San Francisco, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 47,823 | 836,321 | San Francisco + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.8 | 39.7 | Rio Rancho + |
| Foreign Born | 11.6% | 34.2% | San Francisco + |
| White | 62.2% | 40.5% | Rio Rancho + |
| Black | 1.8% | 5.1% | San Francisco + |
| Asian | 1.6% | 35.0% | San Francisco + |
| Hispanic | 61.1% | 15.9% | Rio Rancho + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Rio Rancho
$50,294
San Francisco
$141,446
San Francisco +
Per Capita Income
Rio Rancho
$28,418
San Francisco
$90,285
San Francisco +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Rio Rancho
$53,141
San Francisco
$77,230
San Francisco +
Unemployment Rate
Rio Rancho
5.9%
San Francisco
5.6%
San Francisco +
Poverty Rate
Rio Rancho
24.2%
San Francisco
10.6%
San Francisco +
Bachelor's Degree+
Rio Rancho
19.6%
San Francisco
60.1%
San Francisco +
| Metric | Rio Rancho, NM | San Francisco, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $50,294 | $141,446 | San Francisco + |
| Per Capita Income | $28,418 | $90,285 | San Francisco + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $53,141 | $77,230 | San Francisco + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.9% | 5.6% | San Francisco + |
| Poverty Rate | 24.2% | 10.6% | San Francisco + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 19.6% | 60.1% | San Francisco + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Rio Rancho
$362,476
Rio Rancho +
San Francisco
$1,369,171
Homeownership Rate
Rio Rancho
66.4%
Rio Rancho +
San Francisco
38.5%
| Metric | Rio Rancho, NM | San Francisco, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $362,476 | $1,369,171 | Rio Rancho + |
| Homeownership Rate | 66.4% | 38.5% | Rio Rancho + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Rio Rancho
834
San Francisco
503
San Francisco +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Rio Rancho
3177
San Francisco
2388
San Francisco +
| Metric | Rio Rancho, NM | San Francisco, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 834 | 503 | San Francisco + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 3177 | 2388 | San Francisco + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Rio Rancho
31.9%
San Francisco
17.5%
San Francisco +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Rio Rancho
10.6%
San Francisco
9.7%
San Francisco +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Rio Rancho
15.4%
San Francisco
14.5%
San Francisco +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Rio Rancho
11.5%
San Francisco
6.6%
San Francisco +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Rio Rancho
15.0%
Rio Rancho +
San Francisco
19.6%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Rio Rancho
10.5%
San Francisco
9.1%
San Francisco +
| Metric | Rio Rancho, NM | San Francisco, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 31.9% | 17.5% | San Francisco + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 10.6% | 9.7% | San Francisco + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 15.4% | 14.5% | San Francisco + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.5% | 6.6% | San Francisco + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.0% | 19.6% | Rio Rancho + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 10.5% | 9.1% | San Francisco + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Rio Rancho
55.7°F
San Francisco
55.3°F
San Francisco +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Rio Rancho
12.3 in
Rio Rancho +
San Francisco
20.7 in
| Metric | Rio Rancho, NM | San Francisco, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 55.7°F | 55.3°F | San Francisco + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 12.3 in | 20.7 in | Rio Rancho + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Rio Rancho
6.1 µg/m³
Rio Rancho +
San Francisco
7.9 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Rio Rancho
75.0%
San Francisco
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Rio Rancho, NM | San Francisco, 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 Francisco
33.9 min
| Metric | Rio Rancho, NM | San Francisco, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 19.1 min | 33.9 min | Rio Rancho + |
Which City is Right for You?
San Francisco leads in median household income at $141,446, while rio Rancho offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $362,476. On public safety, San Francisco is safer with a violent crime rate of 503 per 100,000 residents, compared to 834 in Rio Rancho. San Francisco has a lower unemployment rate at 5.6%, and Rio Rancho has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 6.1 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, San Francisco scores better with a lower obesity rate of 17.5%.
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