Rio Rancho NM vs Syracuse NY — 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%
Syracuse, NY
New York · Population: 146,211
- Median HH Income$45,845
- Median Home Price$215,134
- Unemployment7.4%
- Bachelor's+30.5%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Rio Rancho
47,823
Syracuse
146,211
Syracuse +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Rio Rancho
N/A
Syracuse
N/A
Median Age
Rio Rancho
36.8
Syracuse
31.9
Syracuse +
Foreign Born
Rio Rancho
11.6%
Syracuse
12.1%
Syracuse +
White
Rio Rancho
62.2%
Rio Rancho +
Syracuse
51.9%
Black
Rio Rancho
1.8%
Syracuse
27.6%
Syracuse +
Asian
Rio Rancho
1.6%
Syracuse
6.8%
Syracuse +
Hispanic
Rio Rancho
61.1%
Rio Rancho +
Syracuse
10.3%
Spanish at Home
Rio Rancho
N/A
Syracuse
N/A
| Metric | Rio Rancho, NM | Syracuse, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 47,823 | 146,211 | Syracuse + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.8 | 31.9 | Syracuse + |
| Foreign Born | 11.6% | 12.1% | Syracuse + |
| White | 62.2% | 51.9% | Rio Rancho + |
| Black | 1.8% | 27.6% | Syracuse + |
| Asian | 1.6% | 6.8% | Syracuse + |
| Hispanic | 61.1% | 10.3% | Rio Rancho + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Rio Rancho
$50,294
Rio Rancho +
Syracuse
$45,845
Per Capita Income
Rio Rancho
$28,418
Rio Rancho +
Syracuse
$27,570
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Rio Rancho
$53,141
Syracuse
$77,425
Syracuse +
Unemployment Rate
Rio Rancho
5.9%
Rio Rancho +
Syracuse
7.4%
Poverty Rate
Rio Rancho
24.2%
Rio Rancho +
Syracuse
29.6%
Bachelor's Degree+
Rio Rancho
19.6%
Syracuse
30.5%
Syracuse +
| Metric | Rio Rancho, NM | Syracuse, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $50,294 | $45,845 | Rio Rancho + |
| Per Capita Income | $28,418 | $27,570 | Rio Rancho + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $53,141 | $77,425 | Syracuse + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.9% | 7.4% | Rio Rancho + |
| Poverty Rate | 24.2% | 29.6% | Rio Rancho + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 19.6% | 30.5% | Syracuse + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Rio Rancho
$362,476
Syracuse
$215,134
Syracuse +
Homeownership Rate
Rio Rancho
66.4%
Rio Rancho +
Syracuse
41.3%
| Metric | Rio Rancho, NM | Syracuse, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $362,476 | $215,134 | Syracuse + |
| Homeownership Rate | 66.4% | 41.3% | Rio Rancho + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Rio Rancho
834
Syracuse
434
Syracuse +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Rio Rancho
3177
Syracuse
1736
Syracuse +
| Metric | Rio Rancho, NM | Syracuse, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 834 | 434 | Syracuse + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 3177 | 1736 | Syracuse + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Rio Rancho
31.9%
Rio Rancho +
Syracuse
41.5%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Rio Rancho
10.6%
Rio Rancho +
Syracuse
12.7%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Rio Rancho
15.4%
Rio Rancho +
Syracuse
20.8%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Rio Rancho
11.5%
Syracuse
9.7%
Syracuse +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Rio Rancho
15.0%
Rio Rancho +
Syracuse
15.3%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Rio Rancho
10.5%
Rio Rancho +
Syracuse
16.1%
| Metric | Rio Rancho, NM | Syracuse, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 31.9% | 41.5% | Rio Rancho + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 10.6% | 12.7% | Rio Rancho + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 15.4% | 20.8% | Rio Rancho + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.5% | 9.7% | Syracuse + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.0% | 15.3% | Rio Rancho + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 10.5% | 16.1% | Rio Rancho + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Rio Rancho
55.7°F
Syracuse
49.0°F
Syracuse +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Rio Rancho
12.3 in
Rio Rancho +
Syracuse
41.5 in
| Metric | Rio Rancho, NM | Syracuse, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 55.7°F | 49.0°F | Syracuse + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 12.3 in | 41.5 in | Rio Rancho + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Rio Rancho
6.1 µg/m³
Rio Rancho +
Syracuse
8.1 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Rio Rancho
75.0%
Syracuse
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Rio Rancho, NM | Syracuse, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 6.1 µg/m³ | 8.1 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 +
Syracuse
19.3 min
| Metric | Rio Rancho, NM | Syracuse, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 19.1 min | 19.3 min | Rio Rancho + |
Which City is Right for You?
Rio Rancho leads in median household income at $50,294, while syracuse offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $215,134. On public safety, Syracuse is safer with a violent crime rate of 434 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, Rio Rancho scores better with a lower obesity rate of 31.9%.
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