Rio Rancho NM vs St. Charles 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%
St. Charles, MO
Missouri · Population: 71,542
- Median HH Income$55,578
- Median Home Price$144,200
- Unemployment4.7%
- Bachelor's+22.7%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Rio Rancho
47,823
St. Charles
71,542
St. Charles +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Rio Rancho
N/A
St. Charles
N/A
Median Age
Rio Rancho
36.8
Rio Rancho +
St. Charles
37.9
Foreign Born
Rio Rancho
11.6%
Rio Rancho +
St. Charles
4.2%
White
Rio Rancho
62.2%
St. Charles
80.4%
St. Charles +
Black
Rio Rancho
1.8%
St. Charles
6.7%
St. Charles +
Asian
Rio Rancho
1.6%
Rio Rancho +
St. Charles
1.4%
Hispanic
Rio Rancho
61.1%
Rio Rancho +
St. Charles
7.7%
Spanish at Home
Rio Rancho
N/A
St. Charles
N/A
| Metric | Rio Rancho, NM | St. Charles, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 47,823 | 71,542 | St. Charles + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.8 | 37.9 | Rio Rancho + |
| Foreign Born | 11.6% | 4.2% | Rio Rancho + |
| White | 62.2% | 80.4% | St. Charles + |
| Black | 1.8% | 6.7% | St. Charles + |
| Asian | 1.6% | 1.4% | Rio Rancho + |
| Hispanic | 61.1% | 7.7% | Rio Rancho + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Rio Rancho
$50,294
St. Charles
$55,578
St. Charles +
Per Capita Income
Rio Rancho
$28,418
St. Charles
$31,499
St. Charles +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Rio Rancho
$53,141
St. Charles
$58,527
St. Charles +
Unemployment Rate
Rio Rancho
5.9%
St. Charles
4.7%
St. Charles +
Poverty Rate
Rio Rancho
24.2%
St. Charles
18.7%
St. Charles +
Bachelor's Degree+
Rio Rancho
19.6%
St. Charles
22.7%
St. Charles +
| Metric | Rio Rancho, NM | St. Charles, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $50,294 | $55,578 | St. Charles + |
| Per Capita Income | $28,418 | $31,499 | St. Charles + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $53,141 | $58,527 | St. Charles + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.9% | 4.7% | St. Charles + |
| Poverty Rate | 24.2% | 18.7% | St. Charles + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 19.6% | 22.7% | St. Charles + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Rio Rancho
$362,476
St. Charles
$144,200
St. Charles +
Homeownership Rate
Rio Rancho
66.4%
Rio Rancho +
St. Charles
61.4%
| Metric | Rio Rancho, NM | St. Charles, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $362,476 | $144,200 | St. Charles + |
| Homeownership Rate | 66.4% | 61.4% | Rio Rancho + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Rio Rancho
834
St. Charles
501
St. Charles +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Rio Rancho
3177
St. Charles
2418
St. Charles +
| Metric | Rio Rancho, NM | St. Charles, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 834 | 501 | St. Charles + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 3177 | 2418 | St. Charles + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Rio Rancho
31.9%
Rio Rancho +
St. Charles
35.9%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Rio Rancho
10.6%
St. Charles
10.4%
St. Charles +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Rio Rancho
15.4%
Rio Rancho +
St. Charles
16.0%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Rio Rancho
11.5%
St. Charles
7.1%
St. Charles +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Rio Rancho
15.0%
Rio Rancho +
St. Charles
18.4%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Rio Rancho
10.5%
Rio Rancho +
St. Charles
12.5%
| Metric | Rio Rancho, NM | St. Charles, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 31.9% | 35.9% | Rio Rancho + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 10.6% | 10.4% | St. Charles + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 15.4% | 16.0% | Rio Rancho + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.5% | 7.1% | St. Charles + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.0% | 18.4% | Rio Rancho + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 10.5% | 12.5% | Rio Rancho + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Rio Rancho
55.7°F
St. Charles
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Rio Rancho
12.3 in
St. Charles
N/A
| Metric | Rio Rancho, NM | St. Charles, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 55.7°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 12.3 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Rio Rancho
6.1 µg/m³
Rio Rancho +
St. Charles
9.3 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Rio Rancho
75.0%
Rio Rancho +
St. Charles
55.0%
| Metric | Rio Rancho, NM | St. Charles, 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
St. Charles
18.3 min
St. Charles +
| Metric | Rio Rancho, NM | St. Charles, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 19.1 min | 18.3 min | St. Charles + |
Which City is Right for You?
St. Charles leads in median household income at $55,578, while st. Charles offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $144,200. On public safety, St. Charles is safer with a violent crime rate of 501 per 100,000 residents, compared to 834 in Rio Rancho. St. Charles has a lower unemployment rate at 4.7%, 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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