Rio Rancho NM vs Thornton CO — 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%
Thornton, CO
Colorado · Population: 142,878
- Median HH Income$100,985
- Median Home Price$505,085
- Unemployment4.6%
- Bachelor's+32.2%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Rio Rancho
47,823
Thornton
142,878
Thornton +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Rio Rancho
N/A
Thornton
N/A
Median Age
Rio Rancho
36.8
Thornton
34.3
Thornton +
Foreign Born
Rio Rancho
11.6%
Thornton
14.5%
Thornton +
White
Rio Rancho
62.2%
Thornton
63.5%
Thornton +
Black
Rio Rancho
1.8%
Thornton
2.2%
Thornton +
Asian
Rio Rancho
1.6%
Thornton
5.8%
Thornton +
Hispanic
Rio Rancho
61.1%
Rio Rancho +
Thornton
37.4%
Spanish at Home
Rio Rancho
N/A
Thornton
N/A
| Metric | Rio Rancho, NM | Thornton, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 47,823 | 142,878 | Thornton + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.8 | 34.3 | Thornton + |
| Foreign Born | 11.6% | 14.5% | Thornton + |
| White | 62.2% | 63.5% | Thornton + |
| Black | 1.8% | 2.2% | Thornton + |
| Asian | 1.6% | 5.8% | Thornton + |
| Hispanic | 61.1% | 37.4% | Rio Rancho + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Rio Rancho
$50,294
Thornton
$100,985
Thornton +
Per Capita Income
Rio Rancho
$28,418
Thornton
$41,869
Thornton +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Rio Rancho
$53,141
Thornton
$76,653
Thornton +
Unemployment Rate
Rio Rancho
5.9%
Thornton
4.6%
Thornton +
Poverty Rate
Rio Rancho
24.2%
Thornton
7.3%
Thornton +
Bachelor's Degree+
Rio Rancho
19.6%
Thornton
32.2%
Thornton +
| Metric | Rio Rancho, NM | Thornton, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $50,294 | $100,985 | Thornton + |
| Per Capita Income | $28,418 | $41,869 | Thornton + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $53,141 | $76,653 | Thornton + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.9% | 4.6% | Thornton + |
| Poverty Rate | 24.2% | 7.3% | Thornton + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 19.6% | 32.2% | Thornton + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Rio Rancho
$362,476
Rio Rancho +
Thornton
$505,085
Homeownership Rate
Rio Rancho
66.4%
Thornton
73.1%
Thornton +
| Metric | Rio Rancho, NM | Thornton, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $362,476 | $505,085 | Rio Rancho + |
| Homeownership Rate | 66.4% | 73.1% | Thornton + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Rio Rancho
834
Thornton
512
Thornton +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Rio Rancho
3177
Rio Rancho +
Thornton
3234
| Metric | Rio Rancho, NM | Thornton, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 834 | 512 | Thornton + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 3177 | 3234 | Rio Rancho + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Rio Rancho
31.9%
Thornton
31.8%
Thornton +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Rio Rancho
10.6%
Thornton
8.8%
Thornton +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Rio Rancho
15.4%
Rio Rancho +
Thornton
17.0%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Rio Rancho
11.5%
Rio Rancho +
Thornton
15.2%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Rio Rancho
15.0%
Rio Rancho +
Thornton
17.4%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Rio Rancho
10.5%
Rio Rancho +
Thornton
12.6%
| Metric | Rio Rancho, NM | Thornton, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 31.9% | 31.8% | Thornton + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 10.6% | 8.8% | Thornton + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 15.4% | 17.0% | Rio Rancho + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.5% | 15.2% | Rio Rancho + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.0% | 17.4% | Rio Rancho + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 10.5% | 12.6% | Rio Rancho + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Rio Rancho
55.7°F
Thornton
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Rio Rancho
12.3 in
Thornton
N/A
| Metric | Rio Rancho, NM | Thornton, CO | 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 +
Thornton
6.2 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Rio Rancho
75.0%
Thornton
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Rio Rancho, NM | Thornton, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 6.1 µg/m³ | 6.2 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 +
Thornton
32.8 min
| Metric | Rio Rancho, NM | Thornton, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 19.1 min | 32.8 min | Rio Rancho + |
Which City is Right for You?
Thornton leads in median household income at $100,985, while rio Rancho offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $362,476. On public safety, Thornton is safer with a violent crime rate of 512 per 100,000 residents, compared to 834 in Rio Rancho. Thornton has a lower unemployment rate at 4.6%, and Rio Rancho has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 6.1 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Thornton scores better with a lower obesity rate of 31.8%.
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