Rio Rancho NM vs Vancouver WA — 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%
Vancouver, WA
Washington · Population: 192,696
- Median HH Income$78,156
- Median Home Price$510,577
- Unemployment5.6%
- Bachelor's+31.5%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Rio Rancho
47,823
Vancouver
192,696
Vancouver +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Rio Rancho
N/A
Vancouver
N/A
Median Age
Rio Rancho
36.8
Rio Rancho +
Vancouver
37.5
Foreign Born
Rio Rancho
11.6%
Vancouver
13.6%
Vancouver +
White
Rio Rancho
62.2%
Vancouver
70.6%
Vancouver +
Black
Rio Rancho
1.8%
Vancouver
3.1%
Vancouver +
Asian
Rio Rancho
1.6%
Vancouver
5.3%
Vancouver +
Hispanic
Rio Rancho
61.1%
Rio Rancho +
Vancouver
17.2%
Spanish at Home
Rio Rancho
N/A
Vancouver
N/A
| Metric | Rio Rancho, NM | Vancouver, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 47,823 | 192,696 | Vancouver + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.8 | 37.5 | Rio Rancho + |
| Foreign Born | 11.6% | 13.6% | Vancouver + |
| White | 62.2% | 70.6% | Vancouver + |
| Black | 1.8% | 3.1% | Vancouver + |
| Asian | 1.6% | 5.3% | Vancouver + |
| Hispanic | 61.1% | 17.2% | Rio Rancho + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Rio Rancho
$50,294
Vancouver
$78,156
Vancouver +
Per Capita Income
Rio Rancho
$28,418
Vancouver
$42,839
Vancouver +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Rio Rancho
$53,141
Vancouver
$76,120
Vancouver +
Unemployment Rate
Rio Rancho
5.9%
Vancouver
5.6%
Vancouver +
Poverty Rate
Rio Rancho
24.2%
Vancouver
11.1%
Vancouver +
Bachelor's Degree+
Rio Rancho
19.6%
Vancouver
31.5%
Vancouver +
| Metric | Rio Rancho, NM | Vancouver, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $50,294 | $78,156 | Vancouver + |
| Per Capita Income | $28,418 | $42,839 | Vancouver + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $53,141 | $76,120 | Vancouver + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.9% | 5.6% | Vancouver + |
| Poverty Rate | 24.2% | 11.1% | Vancouver + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 19.6% | 31.5% | Vancouver + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Rio Rancho
$362,476
Rio Rancho +
Vancouver
$510,577
Homeownership Rate
Rio Rancho
66.4%
Rio Rancho +
Vancouver
49.9%
| Metric | Rio Rancho, NM | Vancouver, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $362,476 | $510,577 | Rio Rancho + |
| Homeownership Rate | 66.4% | 49.9% | Rio Rancho + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Rio Rancho
834
Vancouver
383
Vancouver +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Rio Rancho
3177
Rio Rancho +
Vancouver
3409
| Metric | Rio Rancho, NM | Vancouver, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 834 | 383 | Vancouver + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 3177 | 3409 | Rio Rancho + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Rio Rancho
31.9%
Rio Rancho +
Vancouver
36.2%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Rio Rancho
10.6%
Vancouver
9.9%
Vancouver +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Rio Rancho
15.4%
Rio Rancho +
Vancouver
19.1%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Rio Rancho
11.5%
Vancouver
9.4%
Vancouver +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Rio Rancho
15.0%
Rio Rancho +
Vancouver
16.3%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Rio Rancho
10.5%
Rio Rancho +
Vancouver
11.7%
| Metric | Rio Rancho, NM | Vancouver, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 31.9% | 36.2% | Rio Rancho + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 10.6% | 9.9% | Vancouver + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 15.4% | 19.1% | Rio Rancho + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.5% | 9.4% | Vancouver + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.0% | 16.3% | Rio Rancho + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 10.5% | 11.7% | Rio Rancho + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Rio Rancho
55.7°F
Vancouver
52.1°F
Vancouver +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Rio Rancho
12.3 in
Rio Rancho +
Vancouver
41.6 in
| Metric | Rio Rancho, NM | Vancouver, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 55.7°F | 52.1°F | Vancouver + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 12.3 in | 41.6 in | Rio Rancho + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Rio Rancho
6.1 µg/m³
Rio Rancho +
Vancouver
7.5 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Rio Rancho
75.0%
Vancouver
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Rio Rancho, NM | Vancouver, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 6.1 µg/m³ | 7.5 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 +
Vancouver
25.1 min
| Metric | Rio Rancho, NM | Vancouver, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 19.1 min | 25.1 min | Rio Rancho + |
Which City is Right for You?
Vancouver leads in median household income at $78,156, while rio Rancho offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $362,476. On public safety, Vancouver is safer with a violent crime rate of 383 per 100,000 residents, compared to 834 in Rio Rancho. Vancouver has a lower unemployment rate at 5.6%, 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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