Rio Rancho NM vs Waco TX — 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%
Waco, TX
Texas · Population: 141,925
- Median HH Income$51,468
- Median Home Price$196,465
- Unemployment4.4%
- Bachelor's+28.6%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Rio Rancho
47,823
Waco
141,925
Waco +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Rio Rancho
N/A
Waco
N/A
Median Age
Rio Rancho
36.8
Waco
29.2
Waco +
Foreign Born
Rio Rancho
11.6%
Rio Rancho +
Waco
9.8%
White
Rio Rancho
62.2%
Rio Rancho +
Waco
54.0%
Black
Rio Rancho
1.8%
Waco
20.4%
Waco +
Asian
Rio Rancho
1.6%
Waco
2.0%
Waco +
Hispanic
Rio Rancho
61.1%
Rio Rancho +
Waco
29.9%
Spanish at Home
Rio Rancho
N/A
Waco
N/A
| Metric | Rio Rancho, NM | Waco, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 47,823 | 141,925 | Waco + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.8 | 29.2 | Waco + |
| Foreign Born | 11.6% | 9.8% | Rio Rancho + |
| White | 62.2% | 54.0% | Rio Rancho + |
| Black | 1.8% | 20.4% | Waco + |
| Asian | 1.6% | 2.0% | Waco + |
| Hispanic | 61.1% | 29.9% | Rio Rancho + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Rio Rancho
$50,294
Waco
$51,468
Waco +
Per Capita Income
Rio Rancho
$28,418
Waco
$28,819
Waco +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Rio Rancho
$53,141
Waco
$63,758
Waco +
Unemployment Rate
Rio Rancho
5.9%
Waco
4.4%
Waco +
Poverty Rate
Rio Rancho
24.2%
Waco
24.0%
Waco +
Bachelor's Degree+
Rio Rancho
19.6%
Waco
28.6%
Waco +
| Metric | Rio Rancho, NM | Waco, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $50,294 | $51,468 | Waco + |
| Per Capita Income | $28,418 | $28,819 | Waco + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $53,141 | $63,758 | Waco + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.9% | 4.4% | Waco + |
| Poverty Rate | 24.2% | 24.0% | Waco + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 19.6% | 28.6% | Waco + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Rio Rancho
$362,476
Waco
$196,465
Waco +
Homeownership Rate
Rio Rancho
66.4%
Rio Rancho +
Waco
48.9%
| Metric | Rio Rancho, NM | Waco, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $362,476 | $196,465 | Waco + |
| Homeownership Rate | 66.4% | 48.9% | Rio Rancho + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Rio Rancho
834
Waco
442
Waco +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Rio Rancho
3177
Waco
2339
Waco +
| Metric | Rio Rancho, NM | Waco, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 834 | 442 | Waco + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 3177 | 2339 | Waco + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Rio Rancho
31.9%
Rio Rancho +
Waco
36.8%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Rio Rancho
10.6%
Rio Rancho +
Waco
13.0%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Rio Rancho
15.4%
Rio Rancho +
Waco
20.4%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Rio Rancho
11.5%
Rio Rancho +
Waco
20.4%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Rio Rancho
15.0%
Rio Rancho +
Waco
16.2%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Rio Rancho
10.5%
Rio Rancho +
Waco
15.1%
| Metric | Rio Rancho, NM | Waco, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 31.9% | 36.8% | Rio Rancho + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 10.6% | 13.0% | Rio Rancho + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 15.4% | 20.4% | Rio Rancho + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.5% | 20.4% | Rio Rancho + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.0% | 16.2% | Rio Rancho + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 10.5% | 15.1% | Rio Rancho + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Rio Rancho
55.7°F
Rio Rancho +
Waco
66.6°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Rio Rancho
12.3 in
Rio Rancho +
Waco
36.4 in
| Metric | Rio Rancho, NM | Waco, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 55.7°F | 66.6°F | Rio Rancho + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 12.3 in | 36.4 in | Rio Rancho + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Rio Rancho
6.1 µg/m³
Rio Rancho +
Waco
9.2 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Rio Rancho
75.0%
Rio Rancho +
Waco
55.0%
| Metric | Rio Rancho, NM | Waco, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 6.1 µg/m³ | 9.2 µg/m³ | Rio Rancho + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Rio Rancho + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Rio Rancho
19.1 min
Rio Rancho +
Waco
19.7 min
| Metric | Rio Rancho, NM | Waco, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 19.1 min | 19.7 min | Rio Rancho + |
Which City is Right for You?
Waco leads in median household income at $51,468, while waco offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $196,465. On public safety, Waco is safer with a violent crime rate of 442 per 100,000 residents, compared to 834 in Rio Rancho. Waco has a lower unemployment rate at 4.4%, 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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