Rio Rancho NM vs Sparks NV — 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%
Sparks, NV
Nevada · Population: N/A
- Median HH IncomeN/A
- Median Home Price$530,668
- UnemploymentN/A
- Bachelor's+N/A
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Rio Rancho
47,823
Sparks
N/A
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Rio Rancho
N/A
Sparks
N/A
Median Age
Rio Rancho
36.8
Sparks
N/A
Foreign Born
Rio Rancho
11.6%
Sparks
N/A
White
Rio Rancho
62.2%
Sparks
N/A
Black
Rio Rancho
1.8%
Sparks
N/A
Asian
Rio Rancho
1.6%
Sparks
N/A
Hispanic
Rio Rancho
61.1%
Sparks
N/A
Spanish at Home
Rio Rancho
N/A
Sparks
N/A
| Metric | Rio Rancho, NM | Sparks, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 47,823 | N/A | - |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.8 | N/A | - |
| Foreign Born | 11.6% | N/A | - |
| White | 62.2% | N/A | - |
| Black | 1.8% | N/A | - |
| Asian | 1.6% | N/A | - |
| Hispanic | 61.1% | N/A | - |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Rio Rancho
$50,294
Sparks
N/A
Per Capita Income
Rio Rancho
$28,418
Sparks
N/A
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Rio Rancho
$53,141
Sparks
$62,696
Sparks +
Unemployment Rate
Rio Rancho
5.9%
Sparks
N/A
Poverty Rate
Rio Rancho
24.2%
Sparks
N/A
Bachelor's Degree+
Rio Rancho
19.6%
Sparks
N/A
| Metric | Rio Rancho, NM | Sparks, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $50,294 | N/A | - |
| Per Capita Income | $28,418 | N/A | - |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $53,141 | $62,696 | Sparks + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.9% | N/A | - |
| Poverty Rate | 24.2% | N/A | - |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 19.6% | N/A | - |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Rio Rancho
$362,476
Rio Rancho +
Sparks
$530,668
Homeownership Rate
Rio Rancho
66.4%
Sparks
N/A
| Metric | Rio Rancho, NM | Sparks, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $362,476 | $530,668 | Rio Rancho + |
| Homeownership Rate | 66.4% | N/A | - |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Rio Rancho
834
Sparks
460
Sparks +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Rio Rancho
3177
Sparks
2417
Sparks +
| Metric | Rio Rancho, NM | Sparks, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 834 | 460 | Sparks + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 3177 | 2417 | Sparks + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Rio Rancho
31.9%
Sparks
28.6%
Sparks +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Rio Rancho
10.6%
Sparks
9.8%
Sparks +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Rio Rancho
15.4%
Rio Rancho +
Sparks
18.1%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Rio Rancho
11.5%
Rio Rancho +
Sparks
13.8%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Rio Rancho
15.0%
Rio Rancho +
Sparks
18.7%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Rio Rancho
10.5%
Rio Rancho +
Sparks
12.9%
| Metric | Rio Rancho, NM | Sparks, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 31.9% | 28.6% | Sparks + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 10.6% | 9.8% | Sparks + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 15.4% | 18.1% | Rio Rancho + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.5% | 13.8% | Rio Rancho + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.0% | 18.7% | Rio Rancho + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 10.5% | 12.9% | Rio Rancho + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Rio Rancho
55.7°F
Sparks
52.4°F
Sparks +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Rio Rancho
12.3 in
Sparks
8.3 in
Sparks +
| Metric | Rio Rancho, NM | Sparks, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 55.7°F | 52.4°F | Sparks + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 12.3 in | 8.3 in | Sparks + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Rio Rancho
6.1 µg/m³
Sparks
5.2 µg/m³
Sparks +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Rio Rancho
75.0%
Sparks
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Rio Rancho, NM | Sparks, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 6.1 µg/m³ | 5.2 µg/m³ | Sparks + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Rio Rancho
19.1 min
Sparks
N/A
| Metric | Rio Rancho, NM | Sparks, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 19.1 min | N/A | - |
Which City is Right for You?
Rio Rancho offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $362,476. On public safety, Sparks is safer with a violent crime rate of 460 per 100,000 residents, compared to 834 in Rio Rancho. Sparks has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 5.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Sparks scores better with a lower obesity rate of 28.6%.
Compare More Cities
New York, NY vs Rio Rancho, NMLos Angeles, CA vs Rio Rancho, NMChicago, IL vs Rio Rancho, NMHouston, TX vs Rio Rancho, NMPhoenix, AZ vs Rio Rancho, NMPhiladelphia, PA vs Rio Rancho, NM