Rio Rancho NM vs Tampa FL — 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%
Tampa, FL
Florida · Population: 393,389
- Median HH Income$71,302
- Median Home Price$376,530
- Unemployment4.7%
- Bachelor's+44.6%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Rio Rancho
47,823
Tampa
393,389
Tampa +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Rio Rancho
N/A
Tampa
N/A
Median Age
Rio Rancho
36.8
Tampa
35.6
Tampa +
Foreign Born
Rio Rancho
11.6%
Tampa
19.0%
Tampa +
White
Rio Rancho
62.2%
Rio Rancho +
Tampa
51.8%
Black
Rio Rancho
1.8%
Tampa
21.3%
Tampa +
Asian
Rio Rancho
1.6%
Tampa
4.8%
Tampa +
Hispanic
Rio Rancho
61.1%
Rio Rancho +
Tampa
26.2%
Spanish at Home
Rio Rancho
N/A
Tampa
N/A
| Metric | Rio Rancho, NM | Tampa, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 47,823 | 393,389 | Tampa + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.8 | 35.6 | Tampa + |
| Foreign Born | 11.6% | 19.0% | Tampa + |
| White | 62.2% | 51.8% | Rio Rancho + |
| Black | 1.8% | 21.3% | Tampa + |
| Asian | 1.6% | 4.8% | Tampa + |
| Hispanic | 61.1% | 26.2% | Rio Rancho + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Rio Rancho
$50,294
Tampa
$71,302
Tampa +
Per Capita Income
Rio Rancho
$28,418
Tampa
$49,513
Tampa +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Rio Rancho
$53,141
Tampa
$65,328
Tampa +
Unemployment Rate
Rio Rancho
5.9%
Tampa
4.7%
Tampa +
Poverty Rate
Rio Rancho
24.2%
Tampa
15.9%
Tampa +
Bachelor's Degree+
Rio Rancho
19.6%
Tampa
44.6%
Tampa +
| Metric | Rio Rancho, NM | Tampa, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $50,294 | $71,302 | Tampa + |
| Per Capita Income | $28,418 | $49,513 | Tampa + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $53,141 | $65,328 | Tampa + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.9% | 4.7% | Tampa + |
| Poverty Rate | 24.2% | 15.9% | Tampa + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 19.6% | 44.6% | Tampa + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Rio Rancho
$362,476
Rio Rancho +
Tampa
$376,530
Homeownership Rate
Rio Rancho
66.4%
Rio Rancho +
Tampa
50.2%
| Metric | Rio Rancho, NM | Tampa, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $362,476 | $376,530 | Rio Rancho + |
| Homeownership Rate | 66.4% | 50.2% | Rio Rancho + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Rio Rancho
834
Tampa
324
Tampa +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Rio Rancho
3177
Tampa
1453
Tampa +
| Metric | Rio Rancho, NM | Tampa, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 834 | 324 | Tampa + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 3177 | 1453 | Tampa + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Rio Rancho
31.9%
Tampa
31.9%
Tie
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Rio Rancho
10.6%
Rio Rancho +
Tampa
12.5%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Rio Rancho
15.4%
Rio Rancho +
Tampa
17.4%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Rio Rancho
11.5%
Rio Rancho +
Tampa
15.9%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Rio Rancho
15.0%
Rio Rancho +
Tampa
16.7%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Rio Rancho
10.5%
Rio Rancho +
Tampa
12.6%
| Metric | Rio Rancho, NM | Tampa, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 31.9% | 31.9% | Tie |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 10.6% | 12.5% | Rio Rancho + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 15.4% | 17.4% | Rio Rancho + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.5% | 15.9% | Rio Rancho + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.0% | 16.7% | Rio Rancho + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 10.5% | 12.6% | Rio Rancho + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Rio Rancho
55.7°F
Rio Rancho +
Tampa
73.4°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Rio Rancho
12.3 in
Rio Rancho +
Tampa
46.3 in
| Metric | Rio Rancho, NM | Tampa, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 55.7°F | 73.4°F | Rio Rancho + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 12.3 in | 46.3 in | Rio Rancho + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Rio Rancho
6.1 µg/m³
Rio Rancho +
Tampa
7.2 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Rio Rancho
75.0%
Tampa
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Rio Rancho, NM | Tampa, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 6.1 µg/m³ | 7.2 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 +
Tampa
26.8 min
| Metric | Rio Rancho, NM | Tampa, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 19.1 min | 26.8 min | Rio Rancho + |
Which City is Right for You?
Tampa leads in median household income at $71,302, while rio Rancho offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $362,476. On public safety, Tampa is safer with a violent crime rate of 324 per 100,000 residents, compared to 834 in Rio Rancho. Tampa has a lower unemployment rate at 4.7%, and Rio Rancho has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 6.1 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Tampa scores better with a lower obesity rate of 31.9%.
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