Rio Rancho NM vs Sugar Land TX — 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%
Sugar Land, TX
Texas · Population: 109,735
- Median HH Income$137,511
- Median Home Price$449,058
- Unemployment4.5%
- Bachelor's+62.4%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Rio Rancho
47,823
Sugar Land
109,735
Sugar Land +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Rio Rancho
N/A
Sugar Land
N/A
Median Age
Rio Rancho
36.8
Rio Rancho +
Sugar Land
42.5
Foreign Born
Rio Rancho
11.6%
Sugar Land
35.3%
Sugar Land +
White
Rio Rancho
62.2%
Rio Rancho +
Sugar Land
40.6%
Black
Rio Rancho
1.8%
Sugar Land
7.7%
Sugar Land +
Asian
Rio Rancho
1.6%
Sugar Land
39.5%
Sugar Land +
Hispanic
Rio Rancho
61.1%
Rio Rancho +
Sugar Land
12.3%
Spanish at Home
Rio Rancho
N/A
Sugar Land
N/A
| Metric | Rio Rancho, NM | Sugar Land, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 47,823 | 109,735 | Sugar Land + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.8 | 42.5 | Rio Rancho + |
| Foreign Born | 11.6% | 35.3% | Sugar Land + |
| White | 62.2% | 40.6% | Rio Rancho + |
| Black | 1.8% | 7.7% | Sugar Land + |
| Asian | 1.6% | 39.5% | Sugar Land + |
| Hispanic | 61.1% | 12.3% | Rio Rancho + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Rio Rancho
$50,294
Sugar Land
$137,511
Sugar Land +
Per Capita Income
Rio Rancho
$28,418
Sugar Land
$60,258
Sugar Land +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Rio Rancho
$53,141
Sugar Land
$63,758
Sugar Land +
Unemployment Rate
Rio Rancho
5.9%
Sugar Land
4.5%
Sugar Land +
Poverty Rate
Rio Rancho
24.2%
Sugar Land
5.1%
Sugar Land +
Bachelor's Degree+
Rio Rancho
19.6%
Sugar Land
62.4%
Sugar Land +
| Metric | Rio Rancho, NM | Sugar Land, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $50,294 | $137,511 | Sugar Land + |
| Per Capita Income | $28,418 | $60,258 | Sugar Land + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $53,141 | $63,758 | Sugar Land + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.9% | 4.5% | Sugar Land + |
| Poverty Rate | 24.2% | 5.1% | Sugar Land + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 19.6% | 62.4% | Sugar Land + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Rio Rancho
$362,476
Rio Rancho +
Sugar Land
$449,058
Homeownership Rate
Rio Rancho
66.4%
Sugar Land
80.1%
Sugar Land +
| Metric | Rio Rancho, NM | Sugar Land, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $362,476 | $449,058 | Rio Rancho + |
| Homeownership Rate | 66.4% | 80.1% | Sugar Land + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Rio Rancho
834
Sugar Land
442
Sugar Land +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Rio Rancho
3177
Sugar Land
2339
Sugar Land +
| Metric | Rio Rancho, NM | Sugar Land, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 834 | 442 | Sugar Land + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 3177 | 2339 | Sugar Land + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Rio Rancho
31.9%
Sugar Land
24.8%
Sugar Land +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Rio Rancho
10.6%
Rio Rancho +
Sugar Land
12.2%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Rio Rancho
15.4%
Sugar Land
12.2%
Sugar Land +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Rio Rancho
11.5%
Sugar Land
8.5%
Sugar Land +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Rio Rancho
15.0%
Sugar Land
13.6%
Sugar Land +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Rio Rancho
10.5%
Sugar Land
8.2%
Sugar Land +
| Metric | Rio Rancho, NM | Sugar Land, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 31.9% | 24.8% | Sugar Land + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 10.6% | 12.2% | Rio Rancho + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 15.4% | 12.2% | Sugar Land + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.5% | 8.5% | Sugar Land + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.0% | 13.6% | Sugar Land + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 10.5% | 8.2% | Sugar Land + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Rio Rancho
55.7°F
Rio Rancho +
Sugar Land
71.3°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Rio Rancho
12.3 in
Rio Rancho +
Sugar Land
50.4 in
| Metric | Rio Rancho, NM | Sugar Land, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 55.7°F | 71.3°F | Rio Rancho + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 12.3 in | 50.4 in | Rio Rancho + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Rio Rancho
6.1 µg/m³
Rio Rancho +
Sugar Land
9.2 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Rio Rancho
75.0%
Rio Rancho +
Sugar Land
55.0%
| Metric | Rio Rancho, NM | Sugar Land, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 6.1 µg/m³ | 9.2 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 +
Sugar Land
31.6 min
| Metric | Rio Rancho, NM | Sugar Land, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 19.1 min | 31.6 min | Rio Rancho + |
Which City is Right for You?
Sugar Land leads in median household income at $137,511, while rio Rancho offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $362,476. On public safety, Sugar Land is safer with a violent crime rate of 442 per 100,000 residents, compared to 834 in Rio Rancho. Sugar Land has a lower unemployment rate at 4.5%, and Rio Rancho has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 6.1 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Sugar Land scores better with a lower obesity rate of 24.8%.
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