Rio Rancho NM vs St. Petersburg FL — 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. Petersburg, FL
Florida · Population: 260,646
- Median HH Income$73,118
- Median Home Price$331,500
- Unemployment4.9%
- Bachelor's+41.3%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Rio Rancho
47,823
St. Petersburg
260,646
St. Petersburg +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Rio Rancho
N/A
St. Petersburg
N/A
Median Age
Rio Rancho
36.8
Rio Rancho +
St. Petersburg
43.1
Foreign Born
Rio Rancho
11.6%
Rio Rancho +
St. Petersburg
10.1%
White
Rio Rancho
62.2%
St. Petersburg
66.2%
St. Petersburg +
Black
Rio Rancho
1.8%
St. Petersburg
19.4%
St. Petersburg +
Asian
Rio Rancho
1.6%
St. Petersburg
3.1%
St. Petersburg +
Hispanic
Rio Rancho
61.1%
Rio Rancho +
St. Petersburg
9.3%
Spanish at Home
Rio Rancho
N/A
St. Petersburg
N/A
| Metric | Rio Rancho, NM | St. Petersburg, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 47,823 | 260,646 | St. Petersburg + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.8 | 43.1 | Rio Rancho + |
| Foreign Born | 11.6% | 10.1% | Rio Rancho + |
| White | 62.2% | 66.2% | St. Petersburg + |
| Black | 1.8% | 19.4% | St. Petersburg + |
| Asian | 1.6% | 3.1% | St. Petersburg + |
| Hispanic | 61.1% | 9.3% | Rio Rancho + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Rio Rancho
$50,294
St. Petersburg
$73,118
St. Petersburg +
Per Capita Income
Rio Rancho
$28,418
St. Petersburg
$49,823
St. Petersburg +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Rio Rancho
$53,141
St. Petersburg
$65,328
St. Petersburg +
Unemployment Rate
Rio Rancho
5.9%
St. Petersburg
4.9%
St. Petersburg +
Poverty Rate
Rio Rancho
24.2%
St. Petersburg
11.7%
St. Petersburg +
Bachelor's Degree+
Rio Rancho
19.6%
St. Petersburg
41.3%
St. Petersburg +
| Metric | Rio Rancho, NM | St. Petersburg, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $50,294 | $73,118 | St. Petersburg + |
| Per Capita Income | $28,418 | $49,823 | St. Petersburg + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $53,141 | $65,328 | St. Petersburg + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.9% | 4.9% | St. Petersburg + |
| Poverty Rate | 24.2% | 11.7% | St. Petersburg + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 19.6% | 41.3% | St. Petersburg + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Rio Rancho
$362,476
St. Petersburg
$331,500
St. Petersburg +
Homeownership Rate
Rio Rancho
66.4%
Rio Rancho +
St. Petersburg
63.0%
| Metric | Rio Rancho, NM | St. Petersburg, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $362,476 | $331,500 | St. Petersburg + |
| Homeownership Rate | 66.4% | 63.0% | Rio Rancho + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Rio Rancho
834
St. Petersburg
324
St. Petersburg +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Rio Rancho
3177
St. Petersburg
1453
St. Petersburg +
| Metric | Rio Rancho, NM | St. Petersburg, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 834 | 324 | St. Petersburg + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 3177 | 1453 | St. Petersburg + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Rio Rancho
31.9%
Rio Rancho +
St. Petersburg
32.7%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Rio Rancho
10.6%
Rio Rancho +
St. Petersburg
12.2%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Rio Rancho
15.4%
Rio Rancho +
St. Petersburg
16.6%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Rio Rancho
11.5%
St. Petersburg
11.1%
St. Petersburg +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Rio Rancho
15.0%
Rio Rancho +
St. Petersburg
16.6%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Rio Rancho
10.5%
Rio Rancho +
St. Petersburg
12.4%
| Metric | Rio Rancho, NM | St. Petersburg, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 31.9% | 32.7% | Rio Rancho + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 10.6% | 12.2% | Rio Rancho + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 15.4% | 16.6% | Rio Rancho + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.5% | 11.1% | St. Petersburg + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.0% | 16.6% | Rio Rancho + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 10.5% | 12.4% | Rio Rancho + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Rio Rancho
55.7°F
St. Petersburg
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Rio Rancho
12.3 in
St. Petersburg
N/A
| Metric | Rio Rancho, NM | St. Petersburg, FL | 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. Petersburg
7.2 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Rio Rancho
75.0%
St. Petersburg
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Rio Rancho, NM | St. Petersburg, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 6.1 µg/m³ | 7.2 µg/m³ | Rio Rancho + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Rio Rancho
19.1 min
Rio Rancho +
St. Petersburg
26.8 min
| Metric | Rio Rancho, NM | St. Petersburg, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 19.1 min | 26.8 min | Rio Rancho + |
Which City is Right for You?
St. Petersburg leads in median household income at $73,118, while st. Petersburg offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $331,500. On public safety, St. Petersburg is safer with a violent crime rate of 324 per 100,000 residents, compared to 834 in Rio Rancho. St. Petersburg has a lower unemployment rate at 4.9%, 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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