Rio Rancho NM vs Tucson 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%
Tucson, AZ
Arizona · Population: 543,348
- Median HH Income$54,546
- Median Home Price$324,946
- Unemployment6.4%
- Bachelor's+30.2%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Rio Rancho
47,823
Tucson
543,348
Tucson +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Rio Rancho
N/A
Tucson
N/A
Median Age
Rio Rancho
36.8
Tucson
34.6
Tucson +
Foreign Born
Rio Rancho
11.6%
Tucson
13.7%
Tucson +
White
Rio Rancho
62.2%
Rio Rancho +
Tucson
58.2%
Black
Rio Rancho
1.8%
Tucson
5.0%
Tucson +
Asian
Rio Rancho
1.6%
Tucson
3.1%
Tucson +
Hispanic
Rio Rancho
61.1%
Rio Rancho +
Tucson
42.7%
Spanish at Home
Rio Rancho
N/A
Tucson
N/A
| Metric | Rio Rancho, NM | Tucson, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 47,823 | 543,348 | Tucson + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.8 | 34.6 | Tucson + |
| Foreign Born | 11.6% | 13.7% | Tucson + |
| White | 62.2% | 58.2% | Rio Rancho + |
| Black | 1.8% | 5.0% | Tucson + |
| Asian | 1.6% | 3.1% | Tucson + |
| Hispanic | 61.1% | 42.7% | Rio Rancho + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Rio Rancho
$50,294
Tucson
$54,546
Tucson +
Per Capita Income
Rio Rancho
$28,418
Tucson
$31,152
Tucson +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Rio Rancho
$53,141
Tucson
$59,120
Tucson +
Unemployment Rate
Rio Rancho
5.9%
Rio Rancho +
Tucson
6.4%
Poverty Rate
Rio Rancho
24.2%
Tucson
18.8%
Tucson +
Bachelor's Degree+
Rio Rancho
19.6%
Tucson
30.2%
Tucson +
| Metric | Rio Rancho, NM | Tucson, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $50,294 | $54,546 | Tucson + |
| Per Capita Income | $28,418 | $31,152 | Tucson + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $53,141 | $59,120 | Tucson + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.9% | 6.4% | Rio Rancho + |
| Poverty Rate | 24.2% | 18.8% | Tucson + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 19.6% | 30.2% | Tucson + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Rio Rancho
$362,476
Tucson
$324,946
Tucson +
Homeownership Rate
Rio Rancho
66.4%
Rio Rancho +
Tucson
51.7%
| Metric | Rio Rancho, NM | Tucson, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $362,476 | $324,946 | Tucson + |
| Homeownership Rate | 66.4% | 51.7% | Rio Rancho + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Rio Rancho
834
Tucson
450
Tucson +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Rio Rancho
3177
Tucson
2150
Tucson +
| Metric | Rio Rancho, NM | Tucson, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 834 | 450 | Tucson + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 3177 | 2150 | Tucson + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Rio Rancho
31.9%
Rio Rancho +
Tucson
33.5%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Rio Rancho
10.6%
Rio Rancho +
Tucson
11.5%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Rio Rancho
15.4%
Rio Rancho +
Tucson
18.3%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Rio Rancho
11.5%
Rio Rancho +
Tucson
15.7%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Rio Rancho
15.0%
Tucson
14.6%
Tucson +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Rio Rancho
10.5%
Rio Rancho +
Tucson
12.5%
| Metric | Rio Rancho, NM | Tucson, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 31.9% | 33.5% | Rio Rancho + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 10.6% | 11.5% | Rio Rancho + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 15.4% | 18.3% | Rio Rancho + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.5% | 15.7% | Rio Rancho + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.0% | 14.6% | Tucson + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 10.5% | 12.5% | Rio Rancho + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Rio Rancho
55.7°F
Rio Rancho +
Tucson
69.8°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Rio Rancho
12.3 in
Tucson
12.2 in
Tucson +
| Metric | Rio Rancho, NM | Tucson, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 55.7°F | 69.8°F | Rio Rancho + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 12.3 in | 12.2 in | Tucson + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Rio Rancho
6.1 µg/m³
Rio Rancho +
Tucson
7.1 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Rio Rancho
75.0%
Tucson
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Rio Rancho, NM | Tucson, 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 +
Tucson
23.9 min
| Metric | Rio Rancho, NM | Tucson, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 19.1 min | 23.9 min | Rio Rancho + |
Which City is Right for You?
Tucson leads in median household income at $54,546, while tucson offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $324,946. On public safety, Tucson is safer with a violent crime rate of 450 per 100,000 residents, compared to 834 in Rio Rancho. Rio Rancho 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, Rio Rancho scores better with a lower obesity rate of 31.9%.
Compare More Cities
New York, NY vs Rio Rancho, NMLos Angeles, CA vs Rio Rancho, NMChicago, IL vs Rio Rancho, NMHouston, TX vs Rio Rancho, NMPhoenix, AZ vs Rio Rancho, NMPhiladelphia, PA vs Rio Rancho, NM