Rio Rancho NM vs Seattle WA — 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%
Seattle, WA
Washington · Population: 741,440
- Median HH Income$121,984
- Median Home Price$871,599
- Unemployment4.2%
- Bachelor's+67.5%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Rio Rancho
47,823
Seattle
741,440
Seattle +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Rio Rancho
N/A
Seattle
N/A
Median Age
Rio Rancho
36.8
Seattle
35.5
Seattle +
Foreign Born
Rio Rancho
11.6%
Seattle
19.9%
Seattle +
White
Rio Rancho
62.2%
Rio Rancho +
Seattle
61.8%
Black
Rio Rancho
1.8%
Seattle
6.6%
Seattle +
Asian
Rio Rancho
1.6%
Seattle
17.2%
Seattle +
Hispanic
Rio Rancho
61.1%
Rio Rancho +
Seattle
8.2%
Spanish at Home
Rio Rancho
N/A
Seattle
N/A
| Metric | Rio Rancho, NM | Seattle, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 47,823 | 741,440 | Seattle + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.8 | 35.5 | Seattle + |
| Foreign Born | 11.6% | 19.9% | Seattle + |
| White | 62.2% | 61.8% | Rio Rancho + |
| Black | 1.8% | 6.6% | Seattle + |
| Asian | 1.6% | 17.2% | Seattle + |
| Hispanic | 61.1% | 8.2% | Rio Rancho + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Rio Rancho
$50,294
Seattle
$121,984
Seattle +
Per Capita Income
Rio Rancho
$28,418
Seattle
$82,508
Seattle +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Rio Rancho
$53,141
Seattle
$76,120
Seattle +
Unemployment Rate
Rio Rancho
5.9%
Seattle
4.2%
Seattle +
Poverty Rate
Rio Rancho
24.2%
Seattle
9.9%
Seattle +
Bachelor's Degree+
Rio Rancho
19.6%
Seattle
67.5%
Seattle +
| Metric | Rio Rancho, NM | Seattle, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $50,294 | $121,984 | Seattle + |
| Per Capita Income | $28,418 | $82,508 | Seattle + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $53,141 | $76,120 | Seattle + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.9% | 4.2% | Seattle + |
| Poverty Rate | 24.2% | 9.9% | Seattle + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 19.6% | 67.5% | Seattle + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Rio Rancho
$362,476
Rio Rancho +
Seattle
$871,599
Homeownership Rate
Rio Rancho
66.4%
Rio Rancho +
Seattle
44.3%
| Metric | Rio Rancho, NM | Seattle, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $362,476 | $871,599 | Rio Rancho + |
| Homeownership Rate | 66.4% | 44.3% | Rio Rancho + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Rio Rancho
834
Seattle
383
Seattle +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Rio Rancho
3177
Rio Rancho +
Seattle
3409
| Metric | Rio Rancho, NM | Seattle, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 834 | 383 | Seattle + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 3177 | 3409 | Rio Rancho + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Rio Rancho
31.9%
Seattle
22.2%
Seattle +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Rio Rancho
10.6%
Seattle
6.1%
Seattle +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Rio Rancho
15.4%
Seattle
15.3%
Seattle +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Rio Rancho
11.5%
Seattle
6.1%
Seattle +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Rio Rancho
15.0%
Rio Rancho +
Seattle
19.0%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Rio Rancho
10.5%
Seattle
6.5%
Seattle +
| Metric | Rio Rancho, NM | Seattle, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 31.9% | 22.2% | Seattle + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 10.6% | 6.1% | Seattle + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 15.4% | 15.3% | Seattle + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.5% | 6.1% | Seattle + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.0% | 19.0% | Rio Rancho + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 10.5% | 6.5% | Seattle + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Rio Rancho
55.7°F
Seattle
52.6°F
Seattle +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Rio Rancho
12.3 in
Rio Rancho +
Seattle
37.5 in
| Metric | Rio Rancho, NM | Seattle, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 55.7°F | 52.6°F | Seattle + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 12.3 in | 37.5 in | Rio Rancho + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Rio Rancho
6.1 µg/m³
Rio Rancho +
Seattle
7.5 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Rio Rancho
75.0%
Seattle
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Rio Rancho, NM | Seattle, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 6.1 µg/m³ | 7.5 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 +
Seattle
28.8 min
| Metric | Rio Rancho, NM | Seattle, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 19.1 min | 28.8 min | Rio Rancho + |
Which City is Right for You?
Seattle leads in median household income at $121,984, while rio Rancho offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $362,476. On public safety, Seattle is safer with a violent crime rate of 383 per 100,000 residents, compared to 834 in Rio Rancho. Seattle has a lower unemployment rate at 4.2%, and Rio Rancho has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 6.1 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Seattle scores better with a lower obesity rate of 22.2%.
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