Rio Rancho NM vs Tempe AZ — 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%
Tempe, AZ
Arizona · Population: 186,419
- Median HH Income$77,643
- Median Home Price$468,328
- Unemployment5.7%
- Bachelor's+49.5%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Rio Rancho
47,823
Tempe
186,419
Tempe +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Rio Rancho
N/A
Tempe
N/A
Median Age
Rio Rancho
36.8
Tempe
29.9
Tempe +
Foreign Born
Rio Rancho
11.6%
Tempe
13.9%
Tempe +
White
Rio Rancho
62.2%
Rio Rancho +
Tempe
60.1%
Black
Rio Rancho
1.8%
Tempe
7.8%
Tempe +
Asian
Rio Rancho
1.6%
Tempe
9.5%
Tempe +
Hispanic
Rio Rancho
61.1%
Rio Rancho +
Tempe
23.1%
Spanish at Home
Rio Rancho
N/A
Tempe
N/A
| Metric | Rio Rancho, NM | Tempe, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 47,823 | 186,419 | Tempe + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.8 | 29.9 | Tempe + |
| Foreign Born | 11.6% | 13.9% | Tempe + |
| White | 62.2% | 60.1% | Rio Rancho + |
| Black | 1.8% | 7.8% | Tempe + |
| Asian | 1.6% | 9.5% | Tempe + |
| Hispanic | 61.1% | 23.1% | Rio Rancho + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Rio Rancho
$50,294
Tempe
$77,643
Tempe +
Per Capita Income
Rio Rancho
$28,418
Tempe
$42,371
Tempe +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Rio Rancho
$53,141
Tempe
$59,120
Tempe +
Unemployment Rate
Rio Rancho
5.9%
Tempe
5.7%
Tempe +
Poverty Rate
Rio Rancho
24.2%
Tempe
16.2%
Tempe +
Bachelor's Degree+
Rio Rancho
19.6%
Tempe
49.5%
Tempe +
| Metric | Rio Rancho, NM | Tempe, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $50,294 | $77,643 | Tempe + |
| Per Capita Income | $28,418 | $42,371 | Tempe + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $53,141 | $59,120 | Tempe + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.9% | 5.7% | Tempe + |
| Poverty Rate | 24.2% | 16.2% | Tempe + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 19.6% | 49.5% | Tempe + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Rio Rancho
$362,476
Rio Rancho +
Tempe
$468,328
Homeownership Rate
Rio Rancho
66.4%
Rio Rancho +
Tempe
41.6%
| Metric | Rio Rancho, NM | Tempe, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $362,476 | $468,328 | Rio Rancho + |
| Homeownership Rate | 66.4% | 41.6% | Rio Rancho + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Rio Rancho
834
Tempe
450
Tempe +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Rio Rancho
3177
Tempe
2150
Tempe +
| Metric | Rio Rancho, NM | Tempe, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 834 | 450 | Tempe + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 3177 | 2150 | Tempe + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Rio Rancho
31.9%
Tempe
27.2%
Tempe +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Rio Rancho
10.6%
Tempe
7.2%
Tempe +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Rio Rancho
15.4%
Rio Rancho +
Tempe
16.6%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Rio Rancho
11.5%
Tempe
10.7%
Tempe +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Rio Rancho
15.0%
Rio Rancho +
Tempe
18.3%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Rio Rancho
10.5%
Tempe
9.1%
Tempe +
| Metric | Rio Rancho, NM | Tempe, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 31.9% | 27.2% | Tempe + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 10.6% | 7.2% | Tempe + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 15.4% | 16.6% | Rio Rancho + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.5% | 10.7% | Tempe + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.0% | 18.3% | Rio Rancho + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 10.5% | 9.1% | Tempe + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Rio Rancho
55.7°F
Rio Rancho +
Tempe
71.3°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Rio Rancho
12.3 in
Tempe
9.3 in
Tempe +
| Metric | Rio Rancho, NM | Tempe, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 55.7°F | 71.3°F | Rio Rancho + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 12.3 in | 9.3 in | Tempe + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Rio Rancho
6.1 µg/m³
Rio Rancho +
Tempe
7.1 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Rio Rancho
75.0%
Tempe
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Rio Rancho, NM | Tempe, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 6.1 µg/m³ | 7.1 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 +
Tempe
23.2 min
| Metric | Rio Rancho, NM | Tempe, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 19.1 min | 23.2 min | Rio Rancho + |
Which City is Right for You?
Tempe leads in median household income at $77,643, while rio Rancho offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $362,476. On public safety, Tempe is safer with a violent crime rate of 450 per 100,000 residents, compared to 834 in Rio Rancho. Tempe has a lower unemployment rate at 5.7%, and Rio Rancho has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 6.1 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Tempe scores better with a lower obesity rate of 27.2%.
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