Rio Rancho NM vs Sunnyvale 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%
Sunnyvale, CA
California · Population: 153,455
- Median HH Income$181,862
- Median Home Price$2,144,024
- Unemployment4.1%
- Bachelor's+69.2%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Rio Rancho
47,823
Sunnyvale
153,455
Sunnyvale +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Rio Rancho
N/A
Sunnyvale
N/A
Median Age
Rio Rancho
36.8
Sunnyvale
35.1
Sunnyvale +
Foreign Born
Rio Rancho
11.6%
Sunnyvale
49.4%
Sunnyvale +
White
Rio Rancho
62.2%
Rio Rancho +
Sunnyvale
30.4%
Black
Rio Rancho
1.8%
Rio Rancho +
Sunnyvale
1.5%
Asian
Rio Rancho
1.6%
Sunnyvale
49.4%
Sunnyvale +
Hispanic
Rio Rancho
61.1%
Rio Rancho +
Sunnyvale
16.7%
Spanish at Home
Rio Rancho
N/A
Sunnyvale
N/A
| Metric | Rio Rancho, NM | Sunnyvale, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 47,823 | 153,455 | Sunnyvale + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.8 | 35.1 | Sunnyvale + |
| Foreign Born | 11.6% | 49.4% | Sunnyvale + |
| White | 62.2% | 30.4% | Rio Rancho + |
| Black | 1.8% | 1.5% | Rio Rancho + |
| Asian | 1.6% | 49.4% | Sunnyvale + |
| Hispanic | 61.1% | 16.7% | Rio Rancho + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Rio Rancho
$50,294
Sunnyvale
$181,862
Sunnyvale +
Per Capita Income
Rio Rancho
$28,418
Sunnyvale
$95,752
Sunnyvale +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Rio Rancho
$53,141
Sunnyvale
$77,230
Sunnyvale +
Unemployment Rate
Rio Rancho
5.9%
Sunnyvale
4.1%
Sunnyvale +
Poverty Rate
Rio Rancho
24.2%
Sunnyvale
5.6%
Sunnyvale +
Bachelor's Degree+
Rio Rancho
19.6%
Sunnyvale
69.2%
Sunnyvale +
| Metric | Rio Rancho, NM | Sunnyvale, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $50,294 | $181,862 | Sunnyvale + |
| Per Capita Income | $28,418 | $95,752 | Sunnyvale + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $53,141 | $77,230 | Sunnyvale + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.9% | 4.1% | Sunnyvale + |
| Poverty Rate | 24.2% | 5.6% | Sunnyvale + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 19.6% | 69.2% | Sunnyvale + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Rio Rancho
$362,476
Rio Rancho +
Sunnyvale
$2,144,024
Homeownership Rate
Rio Rancho
66.4%
Rio Rancho +
Sunnyvale
43.8%
| Metric | Rio Rancho, NM | Sunnyvale, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $362,476 | $2,144,024 | Rio Rancho + |
| Homeownership Rate | 66.4% | 43.8% | Rio Rancho + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Rio Rancho
834
Sunnyvale
503
Sunnyvale +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Rio Rancho
3177
Sunnyvale
2388
Sunnyvale +
| Metric | Rio Rancho, NM | Sunnyvale, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 834 | 503 | Sunnyvale + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 3177 | 2388 | Sunnyvale + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Rio Rancho
31.9%
Sunnyvale
19.7%
Sunnyvale +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Rio Rancho
10.6%
Sunnyvale
8.3%
Sunnyvale +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Rio Rancho
15.4%
Sunnyvale
12.9%
Sunnyvale +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Rio Rancho
11.5%
Sunnyvale
5.2%
Sunnyvale +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Rio Rancho
15.0%
Sunnyvale
13.5%
Sunnyvale +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Rio Rancho
10.5%
Sunnyvale
6.7%
Sunnyvale +
| Metric | Rio Rancho, NM | Sunnyvale, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 31.9% | 19.7% | Sunnyvale + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 10.6% | 8.3% | Sunnyvale + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 15.4% | 12.9% | Sunnyvale + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.5% | 5.2% | Sunnyvale + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.0% | 13.5% | Sunnyvale + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 10.5% | 6.7% | Sunnyvale + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Rio Rancho
55.7°F
Sunnyvale
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Rio Rancho
12.3 in
Sunnyvale
N/A
| Metric | Rio Rancho, NM | Sunnyvale, CA | 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 +
Sunnyvale
7.9 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Rio Rancho
75.0%
Sunnyvale
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Rio Rancho, NM | Sunnyvale, 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 +
Sunnyvale
25.3 min
| Metric | Rio Rancho, NM | Sunnyvale, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 19.1 min | 25.3 min | Rio Rancho + |
Which City is Right for You?
Sunnyvale leads in median household income at $181,862, while rio Rancho offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $362,476. On public safety, Sunnyvale is safer with a violent crime rate of 503 per 100,000 residents, compared to 834 in Rio Rancho. Sunnyvale has a lower unemployment rate at 4.1%, and Rio Rancho has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 6.1 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Sunnyvale scores better with a lower obesity rate of 19.7%.
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