Rio Rancho NM vs Stockton CA — 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%
Stockton, CA
California · Population: 320,470
- Median HH Income$76,851
- Median Home Price$431,297
- Unemployment8.0%
- Bachelor's+19.1%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Rio Rancho
47,823
Stockton
320,470
Stockton +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Rio Rancho
N/A
Stockton
N/A
Median Age
Rio Rancho
36.8
Stockton
33.7
Stockton +
Foreign Born
Rio Rancho
11.6%
Stockton
25.9%
Stockton +
White
Rio Rancho
62.2%
Rio Rancho +
Stockton
26.6%
Black
Rio Rancho
1.8%
Stockton
11.6%
Stockton +
Asian
Rio Rancho
1.6%
Stockton
21.1%
Stockton +
Hispanic
Rio Rancho
61.1%
Rio Rancho +
Stockton
45.2%
Spanish at Home
Rio Rancho
N/A
Stockton
N/A
| Metric | Rio Rancho, NM | Stockton, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 47,823 | 320,470 | Stockton + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.8 | 33.7 | Stockton + |
| Foreign Born | 11.6% | 25.9% | Stockton + |
| White | 62.2% | 26.6% | Rio Rancho + |
| Black | 1.8% | 11.6% | Stockton + |
| Asian | 1.6% | 21.1% | Stockton + |
| Hispanic | 61.1% | 45.2% | Rio Rancho + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Rio Rancho
$50,294
Stockton
$76,851
Stockton +
Per Capita Income
Rio Rancho
$28,418
Stockton
$31,279
Stockton +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Rio Rancho
$53,141
Stockton
$77,230
Stockton +
Unemployment Rate
Rio Rancho
5.9%
Rio Rancho +
Stockton
8.0%
Poverty Rate
Rio Rancho
24.2%
Stockton
15.4%
Stockton +
Bachelor's Degree+
Rio Rancho
19.6%
Rio Rancho +
Stockton
19.1%
| Metric | Rio Rancho, NM | Stockton, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $50,294 | $76,851 | Stockton + |
| Per Capita Income | $28,418 | $31,279 | Stockton + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $53,141 | $77,230 | Stockton + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.9% | 8.0% | Rio Rancho + |
| Poverty Rate | 24.2% | 15.4% | Stockton + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 19.6% | 19.1% | Rio Rancho + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Rio Rancho
$362,476
Rio Rancho +
Stockton
$431,297
Homeownership Rate
Rio Rancho
66.4%
Rio Rancho +
Stockton
53.2%
| Metric | Rio Rancho, NM | Stockton, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $362,476 | $431,297 | Rio Rancho + |
| Homeownership Rate | 66.4% | 53.2% | Rio Rancho + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Rio Rancho
834
Stockton
503
Stockton +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Rio Rancho
3177
Stockton
2388
Stockton +
| Metric | Rio Rancho, NM | Stockton, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 834 | 503 | Stockton + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 3177 | 2388 | Stockton + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Rio Rancho
31.9%
Stockton
31.8%
Stockton +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Rio Rancho
10.6%
Rio Rancho +
Stockton
13.5%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Rio Rancho
15.4%
Rio Rancho +
Stockton
18.1%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Rio Rancho
11.5%
Rio Rancho +
Stockton
15.0%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Rio Rancho
15.0%
Stockton
13.3%
Stockton +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Rio Rancho
10.5%
Rio Rancho +
Stockton
13.8%
| Metric | Rio Rancho, NM | Stockton, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 31.9% | 31.8% | Stockton + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 10.6% | 13.5% | Rio Rancho + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 15.4% | 18.1% | Rio Rancho + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.5% | 15.0% | Rio Rancho + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.0% | 13.3% | Stockton + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 10.5% | 13.8% | Rio Rancho + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Rio Rancho
55.7°F
Rio Rancho +
Stockton
62.2°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Rio Rancho
12.3 in
Rio Rancho +
Stockton
17.8 in
| Metric | Rio Rancho, NM | Stockton, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 55.7°F | 62.2°F | Rio Rancho + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 12.3 in | 17.8 in | Rio Rancho + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Rio Rancho
6.1 µg/m³
Rio Rancho +
Stockton
7.9 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Rio Rancho
75.0%
Stockton
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Rio Rancho, NM | Stockton, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 6.1 µg/m³ | 7.9 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 +
Stockton
33.2 min
| Metric | Rio Rancho, NM | Stockton, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 19.1 min | 33.2 min | Rio Rancho + |
Which City is Right for You?
Stockton leads in median household income at $76,851, while rio Rancho offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $362,476. On public safety, Stockton is safer with a violent crime rate of 503 per 100,000 residents, compared to 834 in Rio Rancho. Rio Rancho has a lower unemployment rate at 5.9%, and Rio Rancho has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 6.1 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Stockton scores better with a lower obesity rate of 31.8%.
Compare More Cities
New York, NY vs Rio Rancho, NMLos Angeles, CA vs Rio Rancho, NMChicago, IL vs Rio Rancho, NMHouston, TX vs Rio Rancho, NMPhoenix, AZ vs Rio Rancho, NMPhiladelphia, PA vs Rio Rancho, NM