Rio Rancho NM vs Washington DC — 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%
Washington, DC
District of Columbia · Population: 672,079
- Median HH Income$106,287
- Median Home Price$580,173
- Unemployment6.5%
- Bachelor's+63.6%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Rio Rancho
47,823
Washington
672,079
Washington +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Rio Rancho
N/A
Washington
N/A
Median Age
Rio Rancho
36.8
Washington
34.9
Washington +
Foreign Born
Rio Rancho
11.6%
Washington
13.3%
Washington +
White
Rio Rancho
62.2%
Rio Rancho +
Washington
39.1%
Black
Rio Rancho
1.8%
Washington
43.3%
Washington +
Asian
Rio Rancho
1.6%
Washington
4.1%
Washington +
Hispanic
Rio Rancho
61.1%
Rio Rancho +
Washington
11.6%
Spanish at Home
Rio Rancho
N/A
Washington
N/A
| Metric | Rio Rancho, NM | Washington, DC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 47,823 | 672,079 | Washington + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.8 | 34.9 | Washington + |
| Foreign Born | 11.6% | 13.3% | Washington + |
| White | 62.2% | 39.1% | Rio Rancho + |
| Black | 1.8% | 43.3% | Washington + |
| Asian | 1.6% | 4.1% | Washington + |
| Hispanic | 61.1% | 11.6% | Rio Rancho + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Rio Rancho
$50,294
Washington
$106,287
Washington +
Per Capita Income
Rio Rancho
$28,418
Washington
$75,253
Washington +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Rio Rancho
$53,141
Washington
$101,182
Washington +
Unemployment Rate
Rio Rancho
5.9%
Rio Rancho +
Washington
6.5%
Poverty Rate
Rio Rancho
24.2%
Washington
14.5%
Washington +
Bachelor's Degree+
Rio Rancho
19.6%
Washington
63.6%
Washington +
| Metric | Rio Rancho, NM | Washington, DC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $50,294 | $106,287 | Washington + |
| Per Capita Income | $28,418 | $75,253 | Washington + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $53,141 | $101,182 | Washington + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.9% | 6.5% | Rio Rancho + |
| Poverty Rate | 24.2% | 14.5% | Washington + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 19.6% | 63.6% | Washington + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Rio Rancho
$362,476
Rio Rancho +
Washington
$580,173
Homeownership Rate
Rio Rancho
66.4%
Rio Rancho +
Washington
41.1%
| Metric | Rio Rancho, NM | Washington, DC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $362,476 | $580,173 | Rio Rancho + |
| Homeownership Rate | 66.4% | 41.1% | Rio Rancho + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Rio Rancho
834
Washington
398
Washington +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Rio Rancho
3177
Washington
1999
Washington +
| Metric | Rio Rancho, NM | Washington, DC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 834 | 398 | Washington + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 3177 | 1999 | Washington + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Rio Rancho
31.9%
Washington
24.6%
Washington +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Rio Rancho
10.6%
Washington
7.8%
Washington +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Rio Rancho
15.4%
Washington
14.6%
Washington +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Rio Rancho
11.5%
Washington
6.7%
Washington +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Rio Rancho
15.0%
Rio Rancho +
Washington
24.0%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Rio Rancho
10.5%
Washington
9.7%
Washington +
| Metric | Rio Rancho, NM | Washington, DC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 31.9% | 24.6% | Washington + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 10.6% | 7.8% | Washington + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 15.4% | 14.6% | Washington + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.5% | 6.7% | Washington + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.0% | 24.0% | Rio Rancho + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 10.5% | 9.7% | Washington + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Rio Rancho
55.7°F
Washington
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Rio Rancho
12.3 in
Washington
N/A
| Metric | Rio Rancho, NM | Washington, DC | 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 +
Washington
8.8 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Rio Rancho
75.0%
Washington
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Rio Rancho, NM | Washington, DC | 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 +
Washington
32.8 min
| Metric | Rio Rancho, NM | Washington, DC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 19.1 min | 32.8 min | Rio Rancho + |
Which City is Right for You?
Washington leads in median household income at $106,287, while rio Rancho offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $362,476. On public safety, Washington is safer with a violent crime rate of 398 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, Washington scores better with a lower obesity rate of 24.6%.
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