Rio Rancho NM vs Temecula 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%
Temecula, CA
California · Population: 110,404
- Median HH Income$117,840
- Median Home Price$769,756
- Unemployment5.8%
- Bachelor's+39.2%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Rio Rancho
47,823
Temecula
110,404
Temecula +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Rio Rancho
N/A
Temecula
N/A
Median Age
Rio Rancho
36.8
Temecula
36.3
Temecula +
Foreign Born
Rio Rancho
11.6%
Temecula
16.6%
Temecula +
White
Rio Rancho
62.2%
Rio Rancho +
Temecula
57.0%
Black
Rio Rancho
1.8%
Temecula
4.3%
Temecula +
Asian
Rio Rancho
1.6%
Temecula
11.5%
Temecula +
Hispanic
Rio Rancho
61.1%
Rio Rancho +
Temecula
28.5%
Spanish at Home
Rio Rancho
N/A
Temecula
N/A
| Metric | Rio Rancho, NM | Temecula, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 47,823 | 110,404 | Temecula + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.8 | 36.3 | Temecula + |
| Foreign Born | 11.6% | 16.6% | Temecula + |
| White | 62.2% | 57.0% | Rio Rancho + |
| Black | 1.8% | 4.3% | Temecula + |
| Asian | 1.6% | 11.5% | Temecula + |
| Hispanic | 61.1% | 28.5% | Rio Rancho + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Rio Rancho
$50,294
Temecula
$117,840
Temecula +
Per Capita Income
Rio Rancho
$28,418
Temecula
$44,826
Temecula +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Rio Rancho
$53,141
Temecula
$77,230
Temecula +
Unemployment Rate
Rio Rancho
5.9%
Temecula
5.8%
Temecula +
Poverty Rate
Rio Rancho
24.2%
Temecula
7.4%
Temecula +
Bachelor's Degree+
Rio Rancho
19.6%
Temecula
39.2%
Temecula +
| Metric | Rio Rancho, NM | Temecula, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $50,294 | $117,840 | Temecula + |
| Per Capita Income | $28,418 | $44,826 | Temecula + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $53,141 | $77,230 | Temecula + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.9% | 5.8% | Temecula + |
| Poverty Rate | 24.2% | 7.4% | Temecula + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 19.6% | 39.2% | Temecula + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Rio Rancho
$362,476
Rio Rancho +
Temecula
$769,756
Homeownership Rate
Rio Rancho
66.4%
Temecula
67.7%
Temecula +
| Metric | Rio Rancho, NM | Temecula, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $362,476 | $769,756 | Rio Rancho + |
| Homeownership Rate | 66.4% | 67.7% | Temecula + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Rio Rancho
834
Temecula
503
Temecula +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Rio Rancho
3177
Temecula
2388
Temecula +
| Metric | Rio Rancho, NM | Temecula, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 834 | 503 | Temecula + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 3177 | 2388 | Temecula + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Rio Rancho
31.9%
Rio Rancho +
Temecula
33.0%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Rio Rancho
10.6%
Temecula
9.6%
Temecula +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Rio Rancho
15.4%
Rio Rancho +
Temecula
16.6%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Rio Rancho
11.5%
Temecula
6.8%
Temecula +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Rio Rancho
15.0%
Rio Rancho +
Temecula
15.9%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Rio Rancho
10.5%
Temecula
9.8%
Temecula +
| Metric | Rio Rancho, NM | Temecula, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 31.9% | 33.0% | Rio Rancho + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 10.6% | 9.6% | Temecula + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 15.4% | 16.6% | Rio Rancho + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.5% | 6.8% | Temecula + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.0% | 15.9% | Rio Rancho + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 10.5% | 9.8% | Temecula + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Rio Rancho
55.7°F
Temecula
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Rio Rancho
12.3 in
Temecula
N/A
| Metric | Rio Rancho, NM | Temecula, 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 +
Temecula
7.9 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Rio Rancho
75.0%
Temecula
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Rio Rancho, NM | Temecula, 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 +
Temecula
38.7 min
| Metric | Rio Rancho, NM | Temecula, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 19.1 min | 38.7 min | Rio Rancho + |
Which City is Right for You?
Temecula leads in median household income at $117,840, while rio Rancho offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $362,476. On public safety, Temecula is safer with a violent crime rate of 503 per 100,000 residents, compared to 834 in Rio Rancho. Temecula has a lower unemployment rate at 5.8%, 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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