Rio Rancho NM vs St. George UT — 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. George, UT
Utah · Population: 99,184
- Median HH Income$72,870
- Median Home Price$456,900
- Unemployment3.5%
- Bachelor's+34.1%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Rio Rancho
47,823
St. George
99,184
St. George +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Rio Rancho
N/A
St. George
N/A
Median Age
Rio Rancho
36.8
Rio Rancho +
St. George
37.9
Foreign Born
Rio Rancho
11.6%
Rio Rancho +
St. George
7.4%
White
Rio Rancho
62.2%
St. George
85.0%
St. George +
Black
Rio Rancho
1.8%
Rio Rancho +
St. George
0.6%
Asian
Rio Rancho
1.6%
Rio Rancho +
St. George
1.2%
Hispanic
Rio Rancho
61.1%
Rio Rancho +
St. George
12.7%
Spanish at Home
Rio Rancho
N/A
St. George
N/A
| Metric | Rio Rancho, NM | St. George, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 47,823 | 99,184 | St. George + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.8 | 37.9 | Rio Rancho + |
| Foreign Born | 11.6% | 7.4% | Rio Rancho + |
| White | 62.2% | 85.0% | St. George + |
| Black | 1.8% | 0.6% | Rio Rancho + |
| Asian | 1.6% | 1.2% | Rio Rancho + |
| Hispanic | 61.1% | 12.7% | Rio Rancho + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Rio Rancho
$50,294
St. George
$72,870
St. George +
Per Capita Income
Rio Rancho
$28,418
St. George
$36,254
St. George +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Rio Rancho
$53,141
St. George
$60,713
St. George +
Unemployment Rate
Rio Rancho
5.9%
St. George
3.5%
St. George +
Poverty Rate
Rio Rancho
24.2%
St. George
11.3%
St. George +
Bachelor's Degree+
Rio Rancho
19.6%
St. George
34.1%
St. George +
| Metric | Rio Rancho, NM | St. George, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $50,294 | $72,870 | St. George + |
| Per Capita Income | $28,418 | $36,254 | St. George + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $53,141 | $60,713 | St. George + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.9% | 3.5% | St. George + |
| Poverty Rate | 24.2% | 11.3% | St. George + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 19.6% | 34.1% | St. George + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Rio Rancho
$362,476
Rio Rancho +
St. George
$456,900
Homeownership Rate
Rio Rancho
66.4%
St. George
68.2%
St. George +
| Metric | Rio Rancho, NM | St. George, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $362,476 | $456,900 | Rio Rancho + |
| Homeownership Rate | 66.4% | 68.2% | St. George + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Rio Rancho
834
St. George
245
St. George +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Rio Rancho
3177
St. George
1931
St. George +
| Metric | Rio Rancho, NM | St. George, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 834 | 245 | St. George + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 3177 | 1931 | St. George + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Rio Rancho
31.9%
Rio Rancho +
St. George
32.9%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Rio Rancho
10.6%
St. George
10.6%
Tie
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Rio Rancho
15.4%
Rio Rancho +
St. George
16.0%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Rio Rancho
11.5%
St. George
10.9%
St. George +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Rio Rancho
15.0%
St. George
9.7%
St. George +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Rio Rancho
10.5%
St. George
7.9%
St. George +
| Metric | Rio Rancho, NM | St. George, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 31.9% | 32.9% | Rio Rancho + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 10.6% | 10.6% | Tie |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 15.4% | 16.0% | Rio Rancho + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.5% | 10.9% | St. George + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.0% | 9.7% | St. George + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 10.5% | 7.9% | St. George + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Rio Rancho
55.7°F
Rio Rancho +
St. George
63.9°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Rio Rancho
12.3 in
St. George
8.8 in
St. George +
| Metric | Rio Rancho, NM | St. George, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 55.7°F | 63.9°F | Rio Rancho + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 12.3 in | 8.8 in | St. George + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Rio Rancho
6.1 µg/m³
Rio Rancho +
St. George
7.0 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Rio Rancho
75.0%
St. George
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Rio Rancho, NM | St. George, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 6.1 µg/m³ | 7.0 µg/m³ | Rio Rancho + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Rio Rancho
19.1 min
St. George
17.9 min
St. George +
| Metric | Rio Rancho, NM | St. George, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 19.1 min | 17.9 min | St. George + |
Which City is Right for You?
St. George leads in median household income at $72,870, while rio Rancho offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $362,476. On public safety, St. George is safer with a violent crime rate of 245 per 100,000 residents, compared to 834 in Rio Rancho. St. George has a lower unemployment rate at 3.5%, 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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