Rio Rancho NM vs South Bend IN — 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%
South Bend, IN
Indiana · Population: 102,866
- Median HH Income$52,512
- Median Home Price$194,972
- Unemployment6.0%
- Bachelor's+29.4%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Rio Rancho
47,823
South Bend
102,866
South Bend +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Rio Rancho
N/A
South Bend
N/A
Median Age
Rio Rancho
36.8
South Bend
33.9
South Bend +
Foreign Born
Rio Rancho
11.6%
Rio Rancho +
South Bend
8.9%
White
Rio Rancho
62.2%
Rio Rancho +
South Bend
54.1%
Black
Rio Rancho
1.8%
South Bend
24.4%
South Bend +
Asian
Rio Rancho
1.6%
South Bend
1.7%
South Bend +
Hispanic
Rio Rancho
61.1%
Rio Rancho +
South Bend
17.3%
Spanish at Home
Rio Rancho
N/A
South Bend
N/A
| Metric | Rio Rancho, NM | South Bend, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 47,823 | 102,866 | South Bend + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.8 | 33.9 | South Bend + |
| Foreign Born | 11.6% | 8.9% | Rio Rancho + |
| White | 62.2% | 54.1% | Rio Rancho + |
| Black | 1.8% | 24.4% | South Bend + |
| Asian | 1.6% | 1.7% | South Bend + |
| Hispanic | 61.1% | 17.3% | Rio Rancho + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Rio Rancho
$50,294
South Bend
$52,512
South Bend +
Per Capita Income
Rio Rancho
$28,418
South Bend
$29,511
South Bend +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Rio Rancho
$53,141
South Bend
$58,697
South Bend +
Unemployment Rate
Rio Rancho
5.9%
Rio Rancho +
South Bend
6.0%
Poverty Rate
Rio Rancho
24.2%
South Bend
22.6%
South Bend +
Bachelor's Degree+
Rio Rancho
19.6%
South Bend
29.4%
South Bend +
| Metric | Rio Rancho, NM | South Bend, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $50,294 | $52,512 | South Bend + |
| Per Capita Income | $28,418 | $29,511 | South Bend + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $53,141 | $58,697 | South Bend + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.9% | 6.0% | Rio Rancho + |
| Poverty Rate | 24.2% | 22.6% | South Bend + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 19.6% | 29.4% | South Bend + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Rio Rancho
$362,476
South Bend
$194,972
South Bend +
Homeownership Rate
Rio Rancho
66.4%
Rio Rancho +
South Bend
58.8%
| Metric | Rio Rancho, NM | South Bend, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $362,476 | $194,972 | South Bend + |
| Homeownership Rate | 66.4% | 58.8% | Rio Rancho + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Rio Rancho
834
South Bend
370
South Bend +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Rio Rancho
3177
South Bend
1719
South Bend +
| Metric | Rio Rancho, NM | South Bend, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 834 | 370 | South Bend + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 3177 | 1719 | South Bend + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Rio Rancho
31.9%
Rio Rancho +
South Bend
39.7%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Rio Rancho
10.6%
Rio Rancho +
South Bend
15.2%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Rio Rancho
15.4%
Rio Rancho +
South Bend
20.3%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Rio Rancho
11.5%
Rio Rancho +
South Bend
12.6%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Rio Rancho
15.0%
Rio Rancho +
South Bend
15.3%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Rio Rancho
10.5%
Rio Rancho +
South Bend
18.2%
| Metric | Rio Rancho, NM | South Bend, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 31.9% | 39.7% | Rio Rancho + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 10.6% | 15.2% | Rio Rancho + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 15.4% | 20.3% | Rio Rancho + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.5% | 12.6% | Rio Rancho + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.0% | 15.3% | Rio Rancho + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 10.5% | 18.2% | Rio Rancho + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Rio Rancho
55.7°F
South Bend
49.8°F
South Bend +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Rio Rancho
12.3 in
Rio Rancho +
South Bend
38.0 in
| Metric | Rio Rancho, NM | South Bend, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 55.7°F | 49.8°F | South Bend + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 12.3 in | 38.0 in | Rio Rancho + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Rio Rancho
6.1 µg/m³
Rio Rancho +
South Bend
10.1 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Rio Rancho
75.0%
Rio Rancho +
South Bend
55.0%
| Metric | Rio Rancho, NM | South Bend, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 6.1 µg/m³ | 10.1 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 +
South Bend
21.6 min
| Metric | Rio Rancho, NM | South Bend, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 19.1 min | 21.6 min | Rio Rancho + |
Which City is Right for You?
South Bend leads in median household income at $52,512, while south Bend offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $194,972. On public safety, South Bend is safer with a violent crime rate of 370 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, Rio Rancho scores better with a lower obesity rate of 31.9%.
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