Rio Rancho NM vs St. Louis 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. Louis, MO
Missouri · Population: 293,109
- Median HH Income$55,279
- Median Home Price$185,100
- Unemployment5.1%
- Bachelor's+40.2%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Rio Rancho
47,823
St. Louis
293,109
St. Louis +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Rio Rancho
N/A
St. Louis
N/A
Median Age
Rio Rancho
36.8
St. Louis
36.6
St. Louis +
Foreign Born
Rio Rancho
11.6%
Rio Rancho +
St. Louis
6.6%
White
Rio Rancho
62.2%
Rio Rancho +
St. Louis
45.7%
Black
Rio Rancho
1.8%
St. Louis
43.1%
St. Louis +
Asian
Rio Rancho
1.6%
St. Louis
3.4%
St. Louis +
Hispanic
Rio Rancho
61.1%
Rio Rancho +
St. Louis
5.1%
Spanish at Home
Rio Rancho
N/A
St. Louis
N/A
| Metric | Rio Rancho, NM | St. Louis, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 47,823 | 293,109 | St. Louis + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.8 | 36.6 | St. Louis + |
| Foreign Born | 11.6% | 6.6% | Rio Rancho + |
| White | 62.2% | 45.7% | Rio Rancho + |
| Black | 1.8% | 43.1% | St. Louis + |
| Asian | 1.6% | 3.4% | St. Louis + |
| Hispanic | 61.1% | 5.1% | Rio Rancho + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Rio Rancho
$50,294
St. Louis
$55,279
St. Louis +
Per Capita Income
Rio Rancho
$28,418
St. Louis
$38,947
St. Louis +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Rio Rancho
$53,141
St. Louis
$58,527
St. Louis +
Unemployment Rate
Rio Rancho
5.9%
St. Louis
5.1%
St. Louis +
Poverty Rate
Rio Rancho
24.2%
St. Louis
19.8%
St. Louis +
Bachelor's Degree+
Rio Rancho
19.6%
St. Louis
40.2%
St. Louis +
| Metric | Rio Rancho, NM | St. Louis, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $50,294 | $55,279 | St. Louis + |
| Per Capita Income | $28,418 | $38,947 | St. Louis + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $53,141 | $58,527 | St. Louis + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.9% | 5.1% | St. Louis + |
| Poverty Rate | 24.2% | 19.8% | St. Louis + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 19.6% | 40.2% | St. Louis + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Rio Rancho
$362,476
St. Louis
$185,100
St. Louis +
Homeownership Rate
Rio Rancho
66.4%
Rio Rancho +
St. Louis
45.4%
| Metric | Rio Rancho, NM | St. Louis, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $362,476 | $185,100 | St. Louis + |
| Homeownership Rate | 66.4% | 45.4% | Rio Rancho + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Rio Rancho
834
St. Louis
501
St. Louis +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Rio Rancho
3177
St. Louis
2418
St. Louis +
| Metric | Rio Rancho, NM | St. Louis, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 834 | 501 | St. Louis + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 3177 | 2418 | St. Louis + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Rio Rancho
31.9%
Rio Rancho +
St. Louis
36.8%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Rio Rancho
10.6%
Rio Rancho +
St. Louis
13.2%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Rio Rancho
15.4%
Rio Rancho +
St. Louis
18.8%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Rio Rancho
11.5%
St. Louis
9.4%
St. Louis +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Rio Rancho
15.0%
Rio Rancho +
St. Louis
17.9%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Rio Rancho
10.5%
Rio Rancho +
St. Louis
16.8%
| Metric | Rio Rancho, NM | St. Louis, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 31.9% | 36.8% | Rio Rancho + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 10.6% | 13.2% | Rio Rancho + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 15.4% | 18.8% | Rio Rancho + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.5% | 9.4% | St. Louis + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.0% | 17.9% | Rio Rancho + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 10.5% | 16.8% | Rio Rancho + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Rio Rancho
55.7°F
St. Louis
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Rio Rancho
12.3 in
St. Louis
N/A
| Metric | Rio Rancho, NM | St. Louis, 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. Louis
9.3 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Rio Rancho
75.0%
Rio Rancho +
St. Louis
55.0%
| Metric | Rio Rancho, NM | St. Louis, 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 +
St. Louis
24.0 min
| Metric | Rio Rancho, NM | St. Louis, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 19.1 min | 24.0 min | Rio Rancho + |
Which City is Right for You?
St. Louis leads in median household income at $55,279, while st. Louis offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $185,100. On public safety, St. Louis is safer with a violent crime rate of 501 per 100,000 residents, compared to 834 in Rio Rancho. St. Louis has a lower unemployment rate at 5.1%, 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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