Rio Rancho NM vs Tulsa OK — 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%
Tulsa, OK
Oklahoma · Population: 412,322
- Median HH Income$58,407
- Median Home Price$220,279
- Unemployment6.1%
- Bachelor's+33.3%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Rio Rancho
47,823
Tulsa
412,322
Tulsa +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Rio Rancho
N/A
Tulsa
N/A
Median Age
Rio Rancho
36.8
Tulsa
35.5
Tulsa +
Foreign Born
Rio Rancho
11.6%
Tulsa
11.9%
Tulsa +
White
Rio Rancho
62.2%
Rio Rancho +
Tulsa
57.0%
Black
Rio Rancho
1.8%
Tulsa
14.2%
Tulsa +
Asian
Rio Rancho
1.6%
Tulsa
3.5%
Tulsa +
Hispanic
Rio Rancho
61.1%
Rio Rancho +
Tulsa
19.2%
Spanish at Home
Rio Rancho
N/A
Tulsa
N/A
| Metric | Rio Rancho, NM | Tulsa, OK | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 47,823 | 412,322 | Tulsa + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.8 | 35.5 | Tulsa + |
| Foreign Born | 11.6% | 11.9% | Tulsa + |
| White | 62.2% | 57.0% | Rio Rancho + |
| Black | 1.8% | 14.2% | Tulsa + |
| Asian | 1.6% | 3.5% | Tulsa + |
| Hispanic | 61.1% | 19.2% | Rio Rancho + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Rio Rancho
$50,294
Tulsa
$58,407
Tulsa +
Per Capita Income
Rio Rancho
$28,418
Tulsa
$37,533
Tulsa +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Rio Rancho
$53,141
Tulsa
$57,929
Tulsa +
Unemployment Rate
Rio Rancho
5.9%
Rio Rancho +
Tulsa
6.1%
Poverty Rate
Rio Rancho
24.2%
Tulsa
18.6%
Tulsa +
Bachelor's Degree+
Rio Rancho
19.6%
Tulsa
33.3%
Tulsa +
| Metric | Rio Rancho, NM | Tulsa, OK | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $50,294 | $58,407 | Tulsa + |
| Per Capita Income | $28,418 | $37,533 | Tulsa + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $53,141 | $57,929 | Tulsa + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.9% | 6.1% | Rio Rancho + |
| Poverty Rate | 24.2% | 18.6% | Tulsa + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 19.6% | 33.3% | Tulsa + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Rio Rancho
$362,476
Tulsa
$220,279
Tulsa +
Homeownership Rate
Rio Rancho
66.4%
Rio Rancho +
Tulsa
52.0%
| Metric | Rio Rancho, NM | Tulsa, OK | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $362,476 | $220,279 | Tulsa + |
| Homeownership Rate | 66.4% | 52.0% | Rio Rancho + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Rio Rancho
834
Tulsa
429
Tulsa +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Rio Rancho
3177
Tulsa
2375
Tulsa +
| Metric | Rio Rancho, NM | Tulsa, OK | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 834 | 429 | Tulsa + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 3177 | 2375 | Tulsa + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Rio Rancho
31.9%
Rio Rancho +
Tulsa
37.5%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Rio Rancho
10.6%
Rio Rancho +
Tulsa
12.8%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Rio Rancho
15.4%
Rio Rancho +
Tulsa
18.8%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Rio Rancho
11.5%
Rio Rancho +
Tulsa
14.4%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Rio Rancho
15.0%
Tulsa
12.9%
Tulsa +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Rio Rancho
10.5%
Rio Rancho +
Tulsa
16.3%
| Metric | Rio Rancho, NM | Tulsa, OK | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 31.9% | 37.5% | Rio Rancho + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 10.6% | 12.8% | Rio Rancho + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 15.4% | 18.8% | Rio Rancho + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.5% | 14.4% | Rio Rancho + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.0% | 12.9% | Tulsa + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 10.5% | 16.3% | Rio Rancho + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Rio Rancho
55.7°F
Rio Rancho +
Tulsa
60.8°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Rio Rancho
12.3 in
Rio Rancho +
Tulsa
41.0 in
| Metric | Rio Rancho, NM | Tulsa, OK | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 55.7°F | 60.8°F | Rio Rancho + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 12.3 in | 41.0 in | Rio Rancho + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Rio Rancho
6.1 µg/m³
Rio Rancho +
Tulsa
8.8 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Rio Rancho
75.0%
Tulsa
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Rio Rancho, NM | Tulsa, OK | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 6.1 µg/m³ | 8.8 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 +
Tulsa
20.2 min
| Metric | Rio Rancho, NM | Tulsa, OK | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 19.1 min | 20.2 min | Rio Rancho + |
Which City is Right for You?
Tulsa leads in median household income at $58,407, while tulsa offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $220,279. On public safety, Tulsa is safer with a violent crime rate of 429 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%.
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