Rio Rancho NM vs Santa Ana 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%
Santa Ana, CA
California · Population: 91,535
- Median HH Income$109,739
- Median Home Price$865,610
- Unemployment6.1%
- Bachelor's+68.9%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Rio Rancho
47,823
Santa Ana
91,535
Santa Ana +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Rio Rancho
N/A
Santa Ana
N/A
Median Age
Rio Rancho
36.8
Rio Rancho +
Santa Ana
42.9
Foreign Born
Rio Rancho
11.6%
Santa Ana
23.2%
Santa Ana +
White
Rio Rancho
62.2%
Santa Ana
66.9%
Santa Ana +
Black
Rio Rancho
1.8%
Santa Ana
4.9%
Santa Ana +
Asian
Rio Rancho
1.6%
Santa Ana
9.8%
Santa Ana +
Hispanic
Rio Rancho
61.1%
Rio Rancho +
Santa Ana
16.4%
Spanish at Home
Rio Rancho
N/A
Santa Ana
N/A
| Metric | Rio Rancho, NM | Santa Ana, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 47,823 | 91,535 | Santa Ana + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.8 | 42.9 | Rio Rancho + |
| Foreign Born | 11.6% | 23.2% | Santa Ana + |
| White | 62.2% | 66.9% | Santa Ana + |
| Black | 1.8% | 4.9% | Santa Ana + |
| Asian | 1.6% | 9.8% | Santa Ana + |
| Hispanic | 61.1% | 16.4% | Rio Rancho + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Rio Rancho
$50,294
Santa Ana
$109,739
Santa Ana +
Per Capita Income
Rio Rancho
$28,418
Santa Ana
$90,657
Santa Ana +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Rio Rancho
$53,141
Santa Ana
$77,230
Santa Ana +
Unemployment Rate
Rio Rancho
5.9%
Rio Rancho +
Santa Ana
6.1%
Poverty Rate
Rio Rancho
24.2%
Santa Ana
11.6%
Santa Ana +
Bachelor's Degree+
Rio Rancho
19.6%
Santa Ana
68.9%
Santa Ana +
| Metric | Rio Rancho, NM | Santa Ana, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $50,294 | $109,739 | Santa Ana + |
| Per Capita Income | $28,418 | $90,657 | Santa Ana + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $53,141 | $77,230 | Santa Ana + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.9% | 6.1% | Rio Rancho + |
| Poverty Rate | 24.2% | 11.6% | Santa Ana + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 19.6% | 68.9% | Santa Ana + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Rio Rancho
$362,476
Rio Rancho +
Santa Ana
$865,610
Homeownership Rate
Rio Rancho
66.4%
Rio Rancho +
Santa Ana
28.8%
| Metric | Rio Rancho, NM | Santa Ana, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $362,476 | $865,610 | Rio Rancho + |
| Homeownership Rate | 66.4% | 28.8% | Rio Rancho + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Rio Rancho
834
Santa Ana
503
Santa Ana +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Rio Rancho
3177
Santa Ana
2388
Santa Ana +
| Metric | Rio Rancho, NM | Santa Ana, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 834 | 503 | Santa Ana + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 3177 | 2388 | Santa Ana + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Rio Rancho
31.9%
Santa Ana
29.0%
Santa Ana +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Rio Rancho
10.6%
Rio Rancho +
Santa Ana
13.0%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Rio Rancho
15.4%
Rio Rancho +
Santa Ana
18.7%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Rio Rancho
11.5%
Rio Rancho +
Santa Ana
20.7%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Rio Rancho
15.0%
Rio Rancho +
Santa Ana
15.7%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Rio Rancho
10.5%
Rio Rancho +
Santa Ana
11.6%
| Metric | Rio Rancho, NM | Santa Ana, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 31.9% | 29.0% | Santa Ana + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 10.6% | 13.0% | Rio Rancho + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 15.4% | 18.7% | Rio Rancho + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.5% | 20.7% | Rio Rancho + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.0% | 15.7% | Rio Rancho + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 10.5% | 11.6% | Rio Rancho + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Rio Rancho
55.7°F
Rio Rancho +
Santa Ana
65.6°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Rio Rancho
12.3 in
Rio Rancho +
Santa Ana
13.6 in
| Metric | Rio Rancho, NM | Santa Ana, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 55.7°F | 65.6°F | Rio Rancho + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 12.3 in | 13.6 in | Rio Rancho + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Rio Rancho
6.1 µg/m³
Rio Rancho +
Santa Ana
7.9 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Rio Rancho
75.0%
Santa Ana
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Rio Rancho, NM | Santa Ana, 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 +
Santa Ana
28.0 min
| Metric | Rio Rancho, NM | Santa Ana, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 19.1 min | 28.0 min | Rio Rancho + |
Which City is Right for You?
Santa Ana leads in median household income at $109,739, while rio Rancho offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $362,476. On public safety, Santa Ana is safer with a violent crime rate of 503 per 100,000 residents, compared to 834 in Rio Rancho. Rio Rancho 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, Santa Ana scores better with a lower obesity rate of 29.0%.
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