Rio Rancho NM vs Virginia Beach VA — 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%
Virginia Beach, VA
Virginia · Population: 457,066
- Median HH Income$90,685
- Median Home Price$427,121
- Unemployment4.3%
- Bachelor's+40.4%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Rio Rancho
47,823
Virginia Beach
457,066
Virginia Beach +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Rio Rancho
N/A
Virginia Beach
N/A
Median Age
Rio Rancho
36.8
Rio Rancho +
Virginia Beach
37.4
Foreign Born
Rio Rancho
11.6%
Rio Rancho +
Virginia Beach
9.1%
White
Rio Rancho
62.2%
Rio Rancho +
Virginia Beach
61.6%
Black
Rio Rancho
1.8%
Virginia Beach
18.9%
Virginia Beach +
Asian
Rio Rancho
1.6%
Virginia Beach
7.2%
Virginia Beach +
Hispanic
Rio Rancho
61.1%
Rio Rancho +
Virginia Beach
8.9%
Spanish at Home
Rio Rancho
N/A
Virginia Beach
N/A
| Metric | Rio Rancho, NM | Virginia Beach, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 47,823 | 457,066 | Virginia Beach + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.8 | 37.4 | Rio Rancho + |
| Foreign Born | 11.6% | 9.1% | Rio Rancho + |
| White | 62.2% | 61.6% | Rio Rancho + |
| Black | 1.8% | 18.9% | Virginia Beach + |
| Asian | 1.6% | 7.2% | Virginia Beach + |
| Hispanic | 61.1% | 8.9% | Rio Rancho + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Rio Rancho
$50,294
Virginia Beach
$90,685
Virginia Beach +
Per Capita Income
Rio Rancho
$28,418
Virginia Beach
$47,372
Virginia Beach +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Rio Rancho
$53,141
Virginia Beach
$69,581
Virginia Beach +
Unemployment Rate
Rio Rancho
5.9%
Virginia Beach
4.3%
Virginia Beach +
Poverty Rate
Rio Rancho
24.2%
Virginia Beach
8.4%
Virginia Beach +
Bachelor's Degree+
Rio Rancho
19.6%
Virginia Beach
40.4%
Virginia Beach +
| Metric | Rio Rancho, NM | Virginia Beach, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $50,294 | $90,685 | Virginia Beach + |
| Per Capita Income | $28,418 | $47,372 | Virginia Beach + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $53,141 | $69,581 | Virginia Beach + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.9% | 4.3% | Virginia Beach + |
| Poverty Rate | 24.2% | 8.4% | Virginia Beach + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 19.6% | 40.4% | Virginia Beach + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Rio Rancho
$362,476
Rio Rancho +
Virginia Beach
$427,121
Homeownership Rate
Rio Rancho
66.4%
Rio Rancho +
Virginia Beach
64.9%
| Metric | Rio Rancho, NM | Virginia Beach, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $362,476 | $427,121 | Rio Rancho + |
| Homeownership Rate | 66.4% | 64.9% | Rio Rancho + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Rio Rancho
834
Virginia Beach
240
Virginia Beach +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Rio Rancho
3177
Virginia Beach
1726
Virginia Beach +
| Metric | Rio Rancho, NM | Virginia Beach, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 834 | 240 | Virginia Beach + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 3177 | 1726 | Virginia Beach + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Rio Rancho
31.9%
Rio Rancho +
Virginia Beach
36.5%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Rio Rancho
10.6%
Rio Rancho +
Virginia Beach
11.8%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Rio Rancho
15.4%
Rio Rancho +
Virginia Beach
16.7%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Rio Rancho
11.5%
Virginia Beach
8.3%
Virginia Beach +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Rio Rancho
15.0%
Rio Rancho +
Virginia Beach
15.6%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Rio Rancho
10.5%
Rio Rancho +
Virginia Beach
12.1%
| Metric | Rio Rancho, NM | Virginia Beach, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 31.9% | 36.5% | Rio Rancho + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 10.6% | 11.8% | Rio Rancho + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 15.4% | 16.7% | Rio Rancho + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.5% | 8.3% | Virginia Beach + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.0% | 15.6% | Rio Rancho + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 10.5% | 12.1% | Rio Rancho + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Rio Rancho
55.7°F
Virginia Beach
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Rio Rancho
12.3 in
Virginia Beach
N/A
| Metric | Rio Rancho, NM | Virginia Beach, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 55.7°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 12.3 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Rio Rancho
6.1 µg/m³
Rio Rancho +
Virginia Beach
8.2 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Rio Rancho
75.0%
Virginia Beach
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Rio Rancho, NM | Virginia Beach, VA | 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
Rio Rancho +
Virginia Beach
25.0 min
| Metric | Rio Rancho, NM | Virginia Beach, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 19.1 min | 25.0 min | Rio Rancho + |
Which City is Right for You?
Virginia Beach leads in median household income at $90,685, while rio Rancho offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $362,476. On public safety, Virginia Beach is safer with a violent crime rate of 240 per 100,000 residents, compared to 834 in Rio Rancho. Virginia Beach has a lower unemployment rate at 4.3%, 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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