Rio Rancho NM vs Topeka KS — 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%
Topeka, KS
Kansas · Population: 126,103
- Median HH Income$55,902
- Median Home Price$193,522
- Unemployment4.9%
- Bachelor's+29.1%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Rio Rancho
47,823
Topeka
126,103
Topeka +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Rio Rancho
N/A
Topeka
N/A
Median Age
Rio Rancho
36.8
Rio Rancho +
Topeka
38.2
Foreign Born
Rio Rancho
11.6%
Rio Rancho +
Topeka
5.3%
White
Rio Rancho
62.2%
Topeka
71.0%
Topeka +
Black
Rio Rancho
1.8%
Topeka
9.7%
Topeka +
Asian
Rio Rancho
1.6%
Topeka
1.8%
Topeka +
Hispanic
Rio Rancho
61.1%
Rio Rancho +
Topeka
16.9%
Spanish at Home
Rio Rancho
N/A
Topeka
N/A
| Metric | Rio Rancho, NM | Topeka, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 47,823 | 126,103 | Topeka + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.8 | 38.2 | Rio Rancho + |
| Foreign Born | 11.6% | 5.3% | Rio Rancho + |
| White | 62.2% | 71.0% | Topeka + |
| Black | 1.8% | 9.7% | Topeka + |
| Asian | 1.6% | 1.8% | Topeka + |
| Hispanic | 61.1% | 16.9% | Rio Rancho + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Rio Rancho
$50,294
Topeka
$55,902
Topeka +
Per Capita Income
Rio Rancho
$28,418
Topeka
$33,290
Topeka +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Rio Rancho
$53,141
Topeka
$61,860
Topeka +
Unemployment Rate
Rio Rancho
5.9%
Topeka
4.9%
Topeka +
Poverty Rate
Rio Rancho
24.2%
Topeka
15.6%
Topeka +
Bachelor's Degree+
Rio Rancho
19.6%
Topeka
29.1%
Topeka +
| Metric | Rio Rancho, NM | Topeka, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $50,294 | $55,902 | Topeka + |
| Per Capita Income | $28,418 | $33,290 | Topeka + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $53,141 | $61,860 | Topeka + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.9% | 4.9% | Topeka + |
| Poverty Rate | 24.2% | 15.6% | Topeka + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 19.6% | 29.1% | Topeka + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Rio Rancho
$362,476
Topeka
$193,522
Topeka +
Homeownership Rate
Rio Rancho
66.4%
Rio Rancho +
Topeka
59.2%
| Metric | Rio Rancho, NM | Topeka, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $362,476 | $193,522 | Topeka + |
| Homeownership Rate | 66.4% | 59.2% | Rio Rancho + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Rio Rancho
834
Topeka
449
Topeka +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Rio Rancho
3177
Topeka
2174
Topeka +
| Metric | Rio Rancho, NM | Topeka, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 834 | 449 | Topeka + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 3177 | 2174 | Topeka + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Rio Rancho
31.9%
Rio Rancho +
Topeka
39.7%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Rio Rancho
10.6%
Rio Rancho +
Topeka
13.1%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Rio Rancho
15.4%
Rio Rancho +
Topeka
16.8%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Rio Rancho
11.5%
Topeka
11.4%
Topeka +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Rio Rancho
15.0%
Topeka
14.5%
Topeka +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Rio Rancho
10.5%
Rio Rancho +
Topeka
16.9%
| Metric | Rio Rancho, NM | Topeka, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 31.9% | 39.7% | Rio Rancho + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 10.6% | 13.1% | Rio Rancho + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 15.4% | 16.8% | Rio Rancho + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.5% | 11.4% | Topeka + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.0% | 14.5% | Topeka + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 10.5% | 16.9% | Rio Rancho + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Rio Rancho
55.7°F
Topeka
54.5°F
Topeka +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Rio Rancho
12.3 in
Rio Rancho +
Topeka
39.0 in
| Metric | Rio Rancho, NM | Topeka, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 55.7°F | 54.5°F | Topeka + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 12.3 in | 39.0 in | Rio Rancho + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Rio Rancho
6.1 µg/m³
Rio Rancho +
Topeka
8.2 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Rio Rancho
75.0%
Topeka
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Rio Rancho, NM | Topeka, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 6.1 µg/m³ | 8.2 µg/m³ | Rio Rancho + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Rio Rancho
19.1 min
Topeka
18.3 min
Topeka +
| Metric | Rio Rancho, NM | Topeka, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 19.1 min | 18.3 min | Topeka + |
Which City is Right for You?
Topeka leads in median household income at $55,902, while topeka offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $193,522. On public safety, Topeka is safer with a violent crime rate of 449 per 100,000 residents, compared to 834 in Rio Rancho. Topeka has a lower unemployment rate at 4.9%, 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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