Rio Rancho NM vs Scottsdale AZ — 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%
Scottsdale, AZ
Arizona · Population: 242,169
- Median HH Income$107,372
- Median Home Price$858,307
- Unemployment3.4%
- Bachelor's+61.5%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Rio Rancho
47,823
Scottsdale
242,169
Scottsdale +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Rio Rancho
N/A
Scottsdale
N/A
Median Age
Rio Rancho
36.8
Rio Rancho +
Scottsdale
49.2
Foreign Born
Rio Rancho
11.6%
Rio Rancho +
Scottsdale
11.2%
White
Rio Rancho
62.2%
Scottsdale
81.8%
Scottsdale +
Black
Rio Rancho
1.8%
Scottsdale
2.0%
Scottsdale +
Asian
Rio Rancho
1.6%
Scottsdale
5.1%
Scottsdale +
Hispanic
Rio Rancho
61.1%
Rio Rancho +
Scottsdale
9.4%
Spanish at Home
Rio Rancho
N/A
Scottsdale
N/A
| Metric | Rio Rancho, NM | Scottsdale, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 47,823 | 242,169 | Scottsdale + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.8 | 49.2 | Rio Rancho + |
| Foreign Born | 11.6% | 11.2% | Rio Rancho + |
| White | 62.2% | 81.8% | Scottsdale + |
| Black | 1.8% | 2.0% | Scottsdale + |
| Asian | 1.6% | 5.1% | Scottsdale + |
| Hispanic | 61.1% | 9.4% | Rio Rancho + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Rio Rancho
$50,294
Scottsdale
$107,372
Scottsdale +
Per Capita Income
Rio Rancho
$28,418
Scottsdale
$82,697
Scottsdale +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Rio Rancho
$53,141
Scottsdale
$59,120
Scottsdale +
Unemployment Rate
Rio Rancho
5.9%
Scottsdale
3.4%
Scottsdale +
Poverty Rate
Rio Rancho
24.2%
Scottsdale
7.1%
Scottsdale +
Bachelor's Degree+
Rio Rancho
19.6%
Scottsdale
61.5%
Scottsdale +
| Metric | Rio Rancho, NM | Scottsdale, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $50,294 | $107,372 | Scottsdale + |
| Per Capita Income | $28,418 | $82,697 | Scottsdale + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $53,141 | $59,120 | Scottsdale + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.9% | 3.4% | Scottsdale + |
| Poverty Rate | 24.2% | 7.1% | Scottsdale + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 19.6% | 61.5% | Scottsdale + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Rio Rancho
$362,476
Rio Rancho +
Scottsdale
$858,307
Homeownership Rate
Rio Rancho
66.4%
Scottsdale
67.6%
Scottsdale +
| Metric | Rio Rancho, NM | Scottsdale, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $362,476 | $858,307 | Rio Rancho + |
| Homeownership Rate | 66.4% | 67.6% | Scottsdale + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Rio Rancho
834
Scottsdale
450
Scottsdale +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Rio Rancho
3177
Scottsdale
2150
Scottsdale +
| Metric | Rio Rancho, NM | Scottsdale, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 834 | 450 | Scottsdale + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 3177 | 2150 | Scottsdale + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Rio Rancho
31.9%
Scottsdale
26.2%
Scottsdale +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Rio Rancho
10.6%
Scottsdale
9.4%
Scottsdale +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Rio Rancho
15.4%
Scottsdale
12.1%
Scottsdale +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Rio Rancho
11.5%
Scottsdale
6.3%
Scottsdale +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Rio Rancho
15.0%
Rio Rancho +
Scottsdale
15.4%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Rio Rancho
10.5%
Scottsdale
7.4%
Scottsdale +
| Metric | Rio Rancho, NM | Scottsdale, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 31.9% | 26.2% | Scottsdale + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 10.6% | 9.4% | Scottsdale + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 15.4% | 12.1% | Scottsdale + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.5% | 6.3% | Scottsdale + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.0% | 15.4% | Rio Rancho + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 10.5% | 7.4% | Scottsdale + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Rio Rancho
55.7°F
Rio Rancho +
Scottsdale
72.5°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Rio Rancho
12.3 in
Scottsdale
10.3 in
Scottsdale +
| Metric | Rio Rancho, NM | Scottsdale, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 55.7°F | 72.5°F | Rio Rancho + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 12.3 in | 10.3 in | Scottsdale + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Rio Rancho
6.1 µg/m³
Rio Rancho +
Scottsdale
7.1 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Rio Rancho
75.0%
Scottsdale
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Rio Rancho, NM | Scottsdale, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 6.1 µg/m³ | 7.1 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 +
Scottsdale
23.2 min
| Metric | Rio Rancho, NM | Scottsdale, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 19.1 min | 23.2 min | Rio Rancho + |
Which City is Right for You?
Scottsdale leads in median household income at $107,372, while rio Rancho offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $362,476. On public safety, Scottsdale is safer with a violent crime rate of 450 per 100,000 residents, compared to 834 in Rio Rancho. Scottsdale has a lower unemployment rate at 3.4%, and Rio Rancho has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 6.1 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Scottsdale scores better with a lower obesity rate of 26.2%.
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