Rio Rancho NM vs Santa Rosa 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 Rosa, CA
California · Population: 129,239
- Median HH Income$173,670
- Median Home Price$720,443
- Unemployment4.4%
- Bachelor's+65.3%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Rio Rancho
47,823
Santa Rosa
129,239
Santa Rosa +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Rio Rancho
N/A
Santa Rosa
N/A
Median Age
Rio Rancho
36.8
Santa Rosa
34.5
Santa Rosa +
Foreign Born
Rio Rancho
11.6%
Santa Rosa
45.4%
Santa Rosa +
White
Rio Rancho
62.2%
Rio Rancho +
Santa Rosa
31.9%
Black
Rio Rancho
1.8%
Santa Rosa
2.1%
Santa Rosa +
Asian
Rio Rancho
1.6%
Santa Rosa
47.6%
Santa Rosa +
Hispanic
Rio Rancho
61.1%
Rio Rancho +
Santa Rosa
16.1%
Spanish at Home
Rio Rancho
N/A
Santa Rosa
N/A
| Metric | Rio Rancho, NM | Santa Rosa, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 47,823 | 129,239 | Santa Rosa + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.8 | 34.5 | Santa Rosa + |
| Foreign Born | 11.6% | 45.4% | Santa Rosa + |
| White | 62.2% | 31.9% | Rio Rancho + |
| Black | 1.8% | 2.1% | Santa Rosa + |
| Asian | 1.6% | 47.6% | Santa Rosa + |
| Hispanic | 61.1% | 16.1% | Rio Rancho + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Rio Rancho
$50,294
Santa Rosa
$173,670
Santa Rosa +
Per Capita Income
Rio Rancho
$28,418
Santa Rosa
$84,533
Santa Rosa +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Rio Rancho
$53,141
Santa Rosa
$77,230
Santa Rosa +
Unemployment Rate
Rio Rancho
5.9%
Santa Rosa
4.4%
Santa Rosa +
Poverty Rate
Rio Rancho
24.2%
Santa Rosa
7.8%
Santa Rosa +
Bachelor's Degree+
Rio Rancho
19.6%
Santa Rosa
65.3%
Santa Rosa +
| Metric | Rio Rancho, NM | Santa Rosa, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $50,294 | $173,670 | Santa Rosa + |
| Per Capita Income | $28,418 | $84,533 | Santa Rosa + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $53,141 | $77,230 | Santa Rosa + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.9% | 4.4% | Santa Rosa + |
| Poverty Rate | 24.2% | 7.8% | Santa Rosa + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 19.6% | 65.3% | Santa Rosa + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Rio Rancho
$362,476
Rio Rancho +
Santa Rosa
$720,443
Homeownership Rate
Rio Rancho
66.4%
Rio Rancho +
Santa Rosa
41.2%
| Metric | Rio Rancho, NM | Santa Rosa, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $362,476 | $720,443 | Rio Rancho + |
| Homeownership Rate | 66.4% | 41.2% | Rio Rancho + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Rio Rancho
834
Santa Rosa
503
Santa Rosa +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Rio Rancho
3177
Santa Rosa
2388
Santa Rosa +
| Metric | Rio Rancho, NM | Santa Rosa, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 834 | 503 | Santa Rosa + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 3177 | 2388 | Santa Rosa + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Rio Rancho
31.9%
Santa Rosa
26.5%
Santa Rosa +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Rio Rancho
10.6%
Santa Rosa
10.4%
Santa Rosa +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Rio Rancho
15.4%
Rio Rancho +
Santa Rosa
16.7%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Rio Rancho
11.5%
Santa Rosa
10.4%
Santa Rosa +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Rio Rancho
15.0%
Rio Rancho +
Santa Rosa
15.8%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Rio Rancho
10.5%
Rio Rancho +
Santa Rosa
11.3%
| Metric | Rio Rancho, NM | Santa Rosa, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 31.9% | 26.5% | Santa Rosa + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 10.6% | 10.4% | Santa Rosa + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 15.4% | 16.7% | Rio Rancho + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.5% | 10.4% | Santa Rosa + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.0% | 15.8% | Rio Rancho + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 10.5% | 11.3% | Rio Rancho + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Rio Rancho
55.7°F
Rio Rancho +
Santa Rosa
59.2°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Rio Rancho
12.3 in
Rio Rancho +
Santa Rosa
32.2 in
| Metric | Rio Rancho, NM | Santa Rosa, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 55.7°F | 59.2°F | Rio Rancho + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 12.3 in | 32.2 in | Rio Rancho + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Rio Rancho
6.1 µg/m³
Rio Rancho +
Santa Rosa
7.9 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Rio Rancho
75.0%
Santa Rosa
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Rio Rancho, NM | Santa Rosa, 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 Rosa
25.2 min
| Metric | Rio Rancho, NM | Santa Rosa, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 19.1 min | 25.2 min | Rio Rancho + |
Which City is Right for You?
Santa Rosa leads in median household income at $173,670, while rio Rancho offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $362,476. On public safety, Santa Rosa is safer with a violent crime rate of 503 per 100,000 residents, compared to 834 in Rio Rancho. Santa Rosa has a lower unemployment rate at 4.4%, and Rio Rancho has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 6.1 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Santa Rosa scores better with a lower obesity rate of 26.5%.
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