Rio Rancho NM vs Thousand Oaks 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%
Thousand Oaks, CA
California · Population: N/A
- Median HH IncomeN/A
- Median Home Price$1,053,424
- UnemploymentN/A
- Bachelor's+N/A
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Rio Rancho
47,823
Thousand Oaks
N/A
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Rio Rancho
N/A
Thousand Oaks
N/A
Median Age
Rio Rancho
36.8
Thousand Oaks
N/A
Foreign Born
Rio Rancho
11.6%
Thousand Oaks
N/A
White
Rio Rancho
62.2%
Thousand Oaks
N/A
Black
Rio Rancho
1.8%
Thousand Oaks
N/A
Asian
Rio Rancho
1.6%
Thousand Oaks
N/A
Hispanic
Rio Rancho
61.1%
Thousand Oaks
N/A
Spanish at Home
Rio Rancho
N/A
Thousand Oaks
N/A
| Metric | Rio Rancho, NM | Thousand Oaks, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 47,823 | N/A | - |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.8 | N/A | - |
| Foreign Born | 11.6% | N/A | - |
| White | 62.2% | N/A | - |
| Black | 1.8% | N/A | - |
| Asian | 1.6% | N/A | - |
| Hispanic | 61.1% | N/A | - |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Rio Rancho
$50,294
Thousand Oaks
N/A
Per Capita Income
Rio Rancho
$28,418
Thousand Oaks
N/A
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Rio Rancho
$53,141
Thousand Oaks
$77,230
Thousand Oaks +
Unemployment Rate
Rio Rancho
5.9%
Thousand Oaks
N/A
Poverty Rate
Rio Rancho
24.2%
Thousand Oaks
N/A
Bachelor's Degree+
Rio Rancho
19.6%
Thousand Oaks
N/A
| Metric | Rio Rancho, NM | Thousand Oaks, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $50,294 | N/A | - |
| Per Capita Income | $28,418 | N/A | - |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $53,141 | $77,230 | Thousand Oaks + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.9% | N/A | - |
| Poverty Rate | 24.2% | N/A | - |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 19.6% | N/A | - |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Rio Rancho
$362,476
Rio Rancho +
Thousand Oaks
$1,053,424
Homeownership Rate
Rio Rancho
66.4%
Thousand Oaks
N/A
| Metric | Rio Rancho, NM | Thousand Oaks, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $362,476 | $1,053,424 | Rio Rancho + |
| Homeownership Rate | 66.4% | N/A | - |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Rio Rancho
834
Thousand Oaks
503
Thousand Oaks +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Rio Rancho
3177
Thousand Oaks
2388
Thousand Oaks +
| Metric | Rio Rancho, NM | Thousand Oaks, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 834 | 503 | Thousand Oaks + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 3177 | 2388 | Thousand Oaks + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Rio Rancho
31.9%
Thousand Oaks
23.0%
Thousand Oaks +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Rio Rancho
10.6%
Thousand Oaks
10.1%
Thousand Oaks +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Rio Rancho
15.4%
Thousand Oaks
15.0%
Thousand Oaks +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Rio Rancho
11.5%
Thousand Oaks
5.8%
Thousand Oaks +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Rio Rancho
15.0%
Rio Rancho +
Thousand Oaks
15.7%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Rio Rancho
10.5%
Thousand Oaks
8.6%
Thousand Oaks +
| Metric | Rio Rancho, NM | Thousand Oaks, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 31.9% | 23.0% | Thousand Oaks + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 10.6% | 10.1% | Thousand Oaks + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 15.4% | 15.0% | Thousand Oaks + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.5% | 5.8% | Thousand Oaks + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.0% | 15.7% | Rio Rancho + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 10.5% | 8.6% | Thousand Oaks + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Rio Rancho
55.7°F
Rio Rancho +
Thousand Oaks
62.7°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Rio Rancho
12.3 in
Rio Rancho +
Thousand Oaks
16.5 in
| Metric | Rio Rancho, NM | Thousand Oaks, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 55.7°F | 62.7°F | Rio Rancho + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 12.3 in | 16.5 in | Rio Rancho + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Rio Rancho
6.1 µg/m³
Rio Rancho +
Thousand Oaks
7.9 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Rio Rancho
75.0%
Thousand Oaks
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Rio Rancho, NM | Thousand Oaks, 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
Thousand Oaks
N/A
| Metric | Rio Rancho, NM | Thousand Oaks, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 19.1 min | N/A | - |
Which City is Right for You?
Rio Rancho offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $362,476. On public safety, Thousand Oaks is safer with a violent crime rate of 503 per 100,000 residents, compared to 834 in Rio Rancho. Rio Rancho has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 6.1 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Thousand Oaks scores better with a lower obesity rate of 23.0%.
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