Rio Rancho NM vs San Jose 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 Jose, CA
California · Population: 990,054
- Median HH Income$141,565
- Median Home Price$1,452,609
- Unemployment4.7%
- Bachelor's+46.5%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Rio Rancho
47,823
San Jose
990,054
San Jose +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Rio Rancho
N/A
San Jose
N/A
Median Age
Rio Rancho
36.8
Rio Rancho +
San Jose
38.1
Foreign Born
Rio Rancho
11.6%
San Jose
41.6%
San Jose +
White
Rio Rancho
62.2%
Rio Rancho +
San Jose
29.0%
Black
Rio Rancho
1.8%
San Jose
2.9%
San Jose +
Asian
Rio Rancho
1.6%
San Jose
38.6%
San Jose +
Hispanic
Rio Rancho
61.1%
Rio Rancho +
San Jose
30.9%
Spanish at Home
Rio Rancho
N/A
San Jose
N/A
| Metric | Rio Rancho, NM | San Jose, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 47,823 | 990,054 | San Jose + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.8 | 38.1 | Rio Rancho + |
| Foreign Born | 11.6% | 41.6% | San Jose + |
| White | 62.2% | 29.0% | Rio Rancho + |
| Black | 1.8% | 2.9% | San Jose + |
| Asian | 1.6% | 38.6% | San Jose + |
| Hispanic | 61.1% | 30.9% | Rio Rancho + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Rio Rancho
$50,294
San Jose
$141,565
San Jose +
Per Capita Income
Rio Rancho
$28,418
San Jose
$63,253
San Jose +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Rio Rancho
$53,141
San Jose
$77,230
San Jose +
Unemployment Rate
Rio Rancho
5.9%
San Jose
4.7%
San Jose +
Poverty Rate
Rio Rancho
24.2%
San Jose
7.8%
San Jose +
Bachelor's Degree+
Rio Rancho
19.6%
San Jose
46.5%
San Jose +
| Metric | Rio Rancho, NM | San Jose, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $50,294 | $141,565 | San Jose + |
| Per Capita Income | $28,418 | $63,253 | San Jose + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $53,141 | $77,230 | San Jose + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.9% | 4.7% | San Jose + |
| Poverty Rate | 24.2% | 7.8% | San Jose + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 19.6% | 46.5% | San Jose + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Rio Rancho
$362,476
Rio Rancho +
San Jose
$1,452,609
Homeownership Rate
Rio Rancho
66.4%
Rio Rancho +
San Jose
56.0%
| Metric | Rio Rancho, NM | San Jose, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $362,476 | $1,452,609 | Rio Rancho + |
| Homeownership Rate | 66.4% | 56.0% | Rio Rancho + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Rio Rancho
834
San Jose
503
San Jose +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Rio Rancho
3177
San Jose
2388
San Jose +
| Metric | Rio Rancho, NM | San Jose, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 834 | 503 | San Jose + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 3177 | 2388 | San Jose + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Rio Rancho
31.9%
San Jose
23.7%
San Jose +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Rio Rancho
10.6%
Rio Rancho +
San Jose
11.1%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Rio Rancho
15.4%
San Jose
14.9%
San Jose +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Rio Rancho
11.5%
San Jose
9.1%
San Jose +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Rio Rancho
15.0%
San Jose
13.0%
San Jose +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Rio Rancho
10.5%
San Jose
9.4%
San Jose +
| Metric | Rio Rancho, NM | San Jose, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 31.9% | 23.7% | San Jose + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 10.6% | 11.1% | Rio Rancho + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 15.4% | 14.9% | San Jose + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.5% | 9.1% | San Jose + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.0% | 13.0% | San Jose + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 10.5% | 9.4% | San Jose + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Rio Rancho
55.7°F
Rio Rancho +
San Jose
61.5°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Rio Rancho
12.3 in
Rio Rancho +
San Jose
14.9 in
| Metric | Rio Rancho, NM | San Jose, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 55.7°F | 61.5°F | Rio Rancho + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 12.3 in | 14.9 in | Rio Rancho + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Rio Rancho
6.1 µg/m³
Rio Rancho +
San Jose
7.9 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Rio Rancho
75.0%
San Jose
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Rio Rancho, NM | San Jose, 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 Jose
30.4 min
| Metric | Rio Rancho, NM | San Jose, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 19.1 min | 30.4 min | Rio Rancho + |
Which City is Right for You?
San Jose leads in median household income at $141,565, while rio Rancho offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $362,476. On public safety, San Jose is safer with a violent crime rate of 503 per 100,000 residents, compared to 834 in Rio Rancho. San Jose 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, San Jose scores better with a lower obesity rate of 23.7%.
Compare More Cities
New York, NY vs Rio Rancho, NMLos Angeles, CA vs Rio Rancho, NMChicago, IL vs Rio Rancho, NMHouston, TX vs Rio Rancho, NMPhoenix, AZ vs Rio Rancho, NMPhiladelphia, PA vs Rio Rancho, NM