Rio Rancho NM vs Springfield MO — 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%
Springfield, MO
Missouri · Population: 169,432
- Median HH Income$45,984
- Median Home Price$245,279
- Unemployment4.3%
- Bachelor's+30.3%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Rio Rancho
47,823
Springfield
169,432
Springfield +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Rio Rancho
N/A
Springfield
N/A
Median Age
Rio Rancho
36.8
Springfield
33.6
Springfield +
Foreign Born
Rio Rancho
11.6%
Rio Rancho +
Springfield
3.8%
White
Rio Rancho
62.2%
Springfield
85.2%
Springfield +
Black
Rio Rancho
1.8%
Springfield
4.3%
Springfield +
Asian
Rio Rancho
1.6%
Springfield
1.7%
Springfield +
Hispanic
Rio Rancho
61.1%
Rio Rancho +
Springfield
5.6%
Spanish at Home
Rio Rancho
N/A
Springfield
N/A
| Metric | Rio Rancho, NM | Springfield, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 47,823 | 169,432 | Springfield + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.8 | 33.6 | Springfield + |
| Foreign Born | 11.6% | 3.8% | Rio Rancho + |
| White | 62.2% | 85.2% | Springfield + |
| Black | 1.8% | 4.3% | Springfield + |
| Asian | 1.6% | 1.7% | Springfield + |
| Hispanic | 61.1% | 5.6% | Rio Rancho + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Rio Rancho
$50,294
Rio Rancho +
Springfield
$45,984
Per Capita Income
Rio Rancho
$28,418
Springfield
$30,864
Springfield +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Rio Rancho
$53,141
Springfield
$58,527
Springfield +
Unemployment Rate
Rio Rancho
5.9%
Springfield
4.3%
Springfield +
Poverty Rate
Rio Rancho
24.2%
Springfield
19.4%
Springfield +
Bachelor's Degree+
Rio Rancho
19.6%
Springfield
30.3%
Springfield +
| Metric | Rio Rancho, NM | Springfield, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $50,294 | $45,984 | Rio Rancho + |
| Per Capita Income | $28,418 | $30,864 | Springfield + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $53,141 | $58,527 | Springfield + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.9% | 4.3% | Springfield + |
| Poverty Rate | 24.2% | 19.4% | Springfield + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 19.6% | 30.3% | Springfield + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Rio Rancho
$362,476
Springfield
$245,279
Springfield +
Homeownership Rate
Rio Rancho
66.4%
Rio Rancho +
Springfield
42.9%
| Metric | Rio Rancho, NM | Springfield, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $362,476 | $245,279 | Springfield + |
| Homeownership Rate | 66.4% | 42.9% | Rio Rancho + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Rio Rancho
834
Springfield
501
Springfield +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Rio Rancho
3177
Springfield
2418
Springfield +
| Metric | Rio Rancho, NM | Springfield, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 834 | 501 | Springfield + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 3177 | 2418 | Springfield + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Rio Rancho
31.9%
Rio Rancho +
Springfield
37.7%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Rio Rancho
10.6%
Rio Rancho +
Springfield
11.1%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Rio Rancho
15.4%
Rio Rancho +
Springfield
20.0%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Rio Rancho
11.5%
Springfield
10.0%
Springfield +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Rio Rancho
15.0%
Rio Rancho +
Springfield
15.6%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Rio Rancho
10.5%
Rio Rancho +
Springfield
17.1%
| Metric | Rio Rancho, NM | Springfield, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 31.9% | 37.7% | Rio Rancho + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 10.6% | 11.1% | Rio Rancho + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 15.4% | 20.0% | Rio Rancho + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.5% | 10.0% | Springfield + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.0% | 15.6% | Rio Rancho + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 10.5% | 17.1% | Rio Rancho + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Rio Rancho
55.7°F
Rio Rancho +
Springfield
56.3°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Rio Rancho
12.3 in
Rio Rancho +
Springfield
45.6 in
| Metric | Rio Rancho, NM | Springfield, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 55.7°F | 56.3°F | Rio Rancho + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 12.3 in | 45.6 in | Rio Rancho + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Rio Rancho
6.1 µg/m³
Rio Rancho +
Springfield
9.3 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Rio Rancho
75.0%
Rio Rancho +
Springfield
55.0%
| Metric | Rio Rancho, NM | Springfield, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 6.1 µg/m³ | 9.3 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 +
Springfield
19.5 min
| Metric | Rio Rancho, NM | Springfield, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 19.1 min | 19.5 min | Rio Rancho + |
Which City is Right for You?
Rio Rancho leads in median household income at $50,294, while springfield offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $245,279. On public safety, Springfield is safer with a violent crime rate of 501 per 100,000 residents, compared to 834 in Rio Rancho. Springfield has a lower unemployment rate at 4.3%, 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%.
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