Rio Rancho NM vs Sandy Springs GA — 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%
Sandy Springs, GA
Georgia · Population: 107,198
- Median HH Income$101,593
- Median Home Price$694,123
- Unemployment3.8%
- Bachelor's+69.9%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Rio Rancho
47,823
Sandy Springs
107,198
Sandy Springs +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Rio Rancho
N/A
Sandy Springs
N/A
Median Age
Rio Rancho
36.8
Rio Rancho +
Sandy Springs
37.1
Foreign Born
Rio Rancho
11.6%
Sandy Springs
16.8%
Sandy Springs +
White
Rio Rancho
62.2%
Rio Rancho +
Sandy Springs
59.3%
Black
Rio Rancho
1.8%
Sandy Springs
20.0%
Sandy Springs +
Asian
Rio Rancho
1.6%
Sandy Springs
7.8%
Sandy Springs +
Hispanic
Rio Rancho
61.1%
Rio Rancho +
Sandy Springs
11.4%
Spanish at Home
Rio Rancho
N/A
Sandy Springs
N/A
| Metric | Rio Rancho, NM | Sandy Springs, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 47,823 | 107,198 | Sandy Springs + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.8 | 37.1 | Rio Rancho + |
| Foreign Born | 11.6% | 16.8% | Sandy Springs + |
| White | 62.2% | 59.3% | Rio Rancho + |
| Black | 1.8% | 20.0% | Sandy Springs + |
| Asian | 1.6% | 7.8% | Sandy Springs + |
| Hispanic | 61.1% | 11.4% | Rio Rancho + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Rio Rancho
$50,294
Sandy Springs
$101,593
Sandy Springs +
Per Capita Income
Rio Rancho
$28,418
Sandy Springs
$80,857
Sandy Springs +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Rio Rancho
$53,141
Sandy Springs
$57,405
Sandy Springs +
Unemployment Rate
Rio Rancho
5.9%
Sandy Springs
3.8%
Sandy Springs +
Poverty Rate
Rio Rancho
24.2%
Sandy Springs
7.4%
Sandy Springs +
Bachelor's Degree+
Rio Rancho
19.6%
Sandy Springs
69.9%
Sandy Springs +
| Metric | Rio Rancho, NM | Sandy Springs, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $50,294 | $101,593 | Sandy Springs + |
| Per Capita Income | $28,418 | $80,857 | Sandy Springs + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $53,141 | $57,405 | Sandy Springs + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.9% | 3.8% | Sandy Springs + |
| Poverty Rate | 24.2% | 7.4% | Sandy Springs + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 19.6% | 69.9% | Sandy Springs + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Rio Rancho
$362,476
Rio Rancho +
Sandy Springs
$694,123
Homeownership Rate
Rio Rancho
66.4%
Rio Rancho +
Sandy Springs
50.7%
| Metric | Rio Rancho, NM | Sandy Springs, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $362,476 | $694,123 | Rio Rancho + |
| Homeownership Rate | 66.4% | 50.7% | Rio Rancho + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Rio Rancho
834
Sandy Springs
392
Sandy Springs +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Rio Rancho
3177
Sandy Springs
1752
Sandy Springs +
| Metric | Rio Rancho, NM | Sandy Springs, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 834 | 392 | Sandy Springs + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 3177 | 1752 | Sandy Springs + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Rio Rancho
31.9%
Sandy Springs
23.7%
Sandy Springs +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Rio Rancho
10.6%
Sandy Springs
7.9%
Sandy Springs +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Rio Rancho
15.4%
Sandy Springs
13.8%
Sandy Springs +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Rio Rancho
11.5%
Sandy Springs
8.9%
Sandy Springs +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Rio Rancho
15.0%
Rio Rancho +
Sandy Springs
17.8%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Rio Rancho
10.5%
Sandy Springs
7.3%
Sandy Springs +
| Metric | Rio Rancho, NM | Sandy Springs, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 31.9% | 23.7% | Sandy Springs + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 10.6% | 7.9% | Sandy Springs + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 15.4% | 13.8% | Sandy Springs + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.5% | 8.9% | Sandy Springs + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.0% | 17.8% | Rio Rancho + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 10.5% | 7.3% | Sandy Springs + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Rio Rancho
55.7°F
Sandy Springs
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Rio Rancho
12.3 in
Sandy Springs
N/A
| Metric | Rio Rancho, NM | Sandy Springs, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 55.7°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 12.3 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Rio Rancho
6.1 µg/m³
Rio Rancho +
Sandy Springs
9.8 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Rio Rancho
75.0%
Rio Rancho +
Sandy Springs
55.0%
| Metric | Rio Rancho, NM | Sandy Springs, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 6.1 µg/m³ | 9.8 µg/m³ | Rio Rancho + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Rio Rancho + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Rio Rancho
19.1 min
Rio Rancho +
Sandy Springs
27.9 min
| Metric | Rio Rancho, NM | Sandy Springs, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 19.1 min | 27.9 min | Rio Rancho + |
Which City is Right for You?
Sandy Springs leads in median household income at $101,593, while rio Rancho offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $362,476. On public safety, Sandy Springs is safer with a violent crime rate of 392 per 100,000 residents, compared to 834 in Rio Rancho. Sandy Springs 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, Sandy Springs scores better with a lower obesity rate of 23.7%.
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