Rio Rancho NM vs Stamford CT — 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%
Stamford, CT
Connecticut · Population: 135,806
- Median HH Income$107,474
- Median Home Price$708,498
- Unemployment4.9%
- Bachelor's+51.7%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Rio Rancho
47,823
Stamford
135,806
Stamford +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Rio Rancho
N/A
Stamford
N/A
Median Age
Rio Rancho
36.8
Rio Rancho +
Stamford
38.2
Foreign Born
Rio Rancho
11.6%
Stamford
31.8%
Stamford +
White
Rio Rancho
62.2%
Rio Rancho +
Stamford
49.1%
Black
Rio Rancho
1.8%
Stamford
19.9%
Stamford +
Asian
Rio Rancho
1.6%
Stamford
7.1%
Stamford +
Hispanic
Rio Rancho
61.1%
Rio Rancho +
Stamford
28.1%
Spanish at Home
Rio Rancho
N/A
Stamford
N/A
| Metric | Rio Rancho, NM | Stamford, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 47,823 | 135,806 | Stamford + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.8 | 38.2 | Rio Rancho + |
| Foreign Born | 11.6% | 31.8% | Stamford + |
| White | 62.2% | 49.1% | Rio Rancho + |
| Black | 1.8% | 19.9% | Stamford + |
| Asian | 1.6% | 7.1% | Stamford + |
| Hispanic | 61.1% | 28.1% | Rio Rancho + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Rio Rancho
$50,294
Stamford
$107,474
Stamford +
Per Capita Income
Rio Rancho
$28,418
Stamford
$64,382
Stamford +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Rio Rancho
$53,141
Stamford
$85,393
Stamford +
Unemployment Rate
Rio Rancho
5.9%
Stamford
4.9%
Stamford +
Poverty Rate
Rio Rancho
24.2%
Stamford
9.5%
Stamford +
Bachelor's Degree+
Rio Rancho
19.6%
Stamford
51.7%
Stamford +
| Metric | Rio Rancho, NM | Stamford, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $50,294 | $107,474 | Stamford + |
| Per Capita Income | $28,418 | $64,382 | Stamford + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $53,141 | $85,393 | Stamford + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.9% | 4.9% | Stamford + |
| Poverty Rate | 24.2% | 9.5% | Stamford + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 19.6% | 51.7% | Stamford + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Rio Rancho
$362,476
Rio Rancho +
Stamford
$708,498
Homeownership Rate
Rio Rancho
66.4%
Rio Rancho +
Stamford
47.5%
| Metric | Rio Rancho, NM | Stamford, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $362,476 | $708,498 | Rio Rancho + |
| Homeownership Rate | 66.4% | 47.5% | Rio Rancho + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Rio Rancho
834
Stamford
156
Stamford +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Rio Rancho
3177
Stamford
1524
Stamford +
| Metric | Rio Rancho, NM | Stamford, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 834 | 156 | Stamford + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 3177 | 1524 | Stamford + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Rio Rancho
31.9%
Stamford
25.5%
Stamford +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Rio Rancho
10.6%
Stamford
8.6%
Stamford +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Rio Rancho
15.4%
Stamford
14.4%
Stamford +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Rio Rancho
11.5%
Rio Rancho +
Stamford
12.3%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Rio Rancho
15.0%
Rio Rancho +
Stamford
16.4%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Rio Rancho
10.5%
Stamford
8.7%
Stamford +
| Metric | Rio Rancho, NM | Stamford, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 31.9% | 25.5% | Stamford + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 10.6% | 8.6% | Stamford + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 15.4% | 14.4% | Stamford + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.5% | 12.3% | Rio Rancho + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.0% | 16.4% | Rio Rancho + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 10.5% | 8.7% | Stamford + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Rio Rancho
55.7°F
Stamford
52.3°F
Stamford +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Rio Rancho
12.3 in
Rio Rancho +
Stamford
53.2 in
| Metric | Rio Rancho, NM | Stamford, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 55.7°F | 52.3°F | Stamford + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 12.3 in | 53.2 in | Rio Rancho + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Rio Rancho
6.1 µg/m³
Rio Rancho +
Stamford
7.7 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Rio Rancho
75.0%
Stamford
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Rio Rancho, NM | Stamford, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 6.1 µg/m³ | 7.7 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 +
Stamford
30.1 min
| Metric | Rio Rancho, NM | Stamford, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 19.1 min | 30.1 min | Rio Rancho + |
Which City is Right for You?
Stamford leads in median household income at $107,474, while rio Rancho offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $362,476. On public safety, Stamford is safer with a violent crime rate of 156 per 100,000 residents, compared to 834 in Rio Rancho. Stamford 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, Stamford scores better with a lower obesity rate of 25.5%.
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