Rio Rancho NM vs Torrance 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%
Torrance, CA
California · Population: 95,358
- Median HH Income$118,253
- Median Home Price$1,128,110
- Unemployment5.9%
- Bachelor's+26.2%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Rio Rancho
47,823
Torrance
95,358
Torrance +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Rio Rancho
N/A
Torrance
N/A
Median Age
Rio Rancho
36.8
Torrance
35.2
Torrance +
Foreign Born
Rio Rancho
11.6%
Torrance
28.7%
Torrance +
White
Rio Rancho
62.2%
Rio Rancho +
Torrance
34.8%
Black
Rio Rancho
1.8%
Torrance
6.1%
Torrance +
Asian
Rio Rancho
1.6%
Torrance
22.0%
Torrance +
Hispanic
Rio Rancho
61.1%
Rio Rancho +
Torrance
41.4%
Spanish at Home
Rio Rancho
N/A
Torrance
N/A
| Metric | Rio Rancho, NM | Torrance, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 47,823 | 95,358 | Torrance + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.8 | 35.2 | Torrance + |
| Foreign Born | 11.6% | 28.7% | Torrance + |
| White | 62.2% | 34.8% | Rio Rancho + |
| Black | 1.8% | 6.1% | Torrance + |
| Asian | 1.6% | 22.0% | Torrance + |
| Hispanic | 61.1% | 41.4% | Rio Rancho + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Rio Rancho
$50,294
Torrance
$118,253
Torrance +
Per Capita Income
Rio Rancho
$28,418
Torrance
$42,884
Torrance +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Rio Rancho
$53,141
Torrance
$77,230
Torrance +
Unemployment Rate
Rio Rancho
5.9%
Torrance
5.9%
Torrance +
Poverty Rate
Rio Rancho
24.2%
Torrance
7.7%
Torrance +
Bachelor's Degree+
Rio Rancho
19.6%
Torrance
26.2%
Torrance +
| Metric | Rio Rancho, NM | Torrance, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $50,294 | $118,253 | Torrance + |
| Per Capita Income | $28,418 | $42,884 | Torrance + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $53,141 | $77,230 | Torrance + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.9% | 5.9% | Torrance + |
| Poverty Rate | 24.2% | 7.7% | Torrance + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 19.6% | 26.2% | Torrance + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Rio Rancho
$362,476
Rio Rancho +
Torrance
$1,128,110
Homeownership Rate
Rio Rancho
66.4%
Rio Rancho +
Torrance
64.0%
| Metric | Rio Rancho, NM | Torrance, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $362,476 | $1,128,110 | Rio Rancho + |
| Homeownership Rate | 66.4% | 64.0% | Rio Rancho + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Rio Rancho
834
Torrance
503
Torrance +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Rio Rancho
3177
Torrance
2388
Torrance +
| Metric | Rio Rancho, NM | Torrance, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 834 | 503 | Torrance + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 3177 | 2388 | Torrance + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Rio Rancho
31.9%
Torrance
20.3%
Torrance +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Rio Rancho
10.6%
Torrance
10.6%
Tie
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Rio Rancho
15.4%
Torrance
13.3%
Torrance +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Rio Rancho
11.5%
Torrance
5.2%
Torrance +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Rio Rancho
15.0%
Torrance
14.0%
Torrance +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Rio Rancho
10.5%
Torrance
8.0%
Torrance +
| Metric | Rio Rancho, NM | Torrance, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 31.9% | 20.3% | Torrance + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 10.6% | 10.6% | Tie |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 15.4% | 13.3% | Torrance + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.5% | 5.2% | Torrance + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.0% | 14.0% | Torrance + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 10.5% | 8.0% | Torrance + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Rio Rancho
55.7°F
Rio Rancho +
Torrance
62.6°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Rio Rancho
12.3 in
Rio Rancho +
Torrance
14.5 in
| Metric | Rio Rancho, NM | Torrance, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 55.7°F | 62.6°F | Rio Rancho + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 12.3 in | 14.5 in | Rio Rancho + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Rio Rancho
6.1 µg/m³
Rio Rancho +
Torrance
7.9 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Rio Rancho
75.0%
Torrance
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Rio Rancho, NM | Torrance, 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 +
Torrance
44.9 min
| Metric | Rio Rancho, NM | Torrance, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 19.1 min | 44.9 min | Rio Rancho + |
Which City is Right for You?
Torrance leads in median household income at $118,253, while rio Rancho offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $362,476. On public safety, Torrance is safer with a violent crime rate of 503 per 100,000 residents, compared to 834 in Rio Rancho. Torrance has a lower unemployment rate at 5.9%, and Rio Rancho has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 6.1 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Torrance scores better with a lower obesity rate of 20.3%.
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