Rio Rancho NM vs Waukegan IL — 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%
Waukegan, IL
Illinois · Population: 33,889
- Median HH Income$97,263
- Median Home Price$239,865
- Unemployment4.3%
- Bachelor's+46.1%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Rio Rancho
47,823
Rio Rancho +
Waukegan
33,889
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Rio Rancho
N/A
Waukegan
N/A
Median Age
Rio Rancho
36.8
Rio Rancho +
Waukegan
37.6
Foreign Born
Rio Rancho
11.6%
Waukegan
20.6%
Waukegan +
White
Rio Rancho
62.2%
Rio Rancho +
Waukegan
61.9%
Black
Rio Rancho
1.8%
Waukegan
11.2%
Waukegan +
Asian
Rio Rancho
1.6%
Waukegan
11.3%
Waukegan +
Hispanic
Rio Rancho
61.1%
Rio Rancho +
Waukegan
16.4%
Spanish at Home
Rio Rancho
N/A
Waukegan
N/A
| Metric | Rio Rancho, NM | Waukegan, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 47,823 | 33,889 | Rio Rancho + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.8 | 37.6 | Rio Rancho + |
| Foreign Born | 11.6% | 20.6% | Waukegan + |
| White | 62.2% | 61.9% | Rio Rancho + |
| Black | 1.8% | 11.2% | Waukegan + |
| Asian | 1.6% | 11.3% | Waukegan + |
| Hispanic | 61.1% | 16.4% | Rio Rancho + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Rio Rancho
$50,294
Waukegan
$97,263
Waukegan +
Per Capita Income
Rio Rancho
$28,418
Waukegan
$49,019
Waukegan +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Rio Rancho
$53,141
Waukegan
$68,110
Waukegan +
Unemployment Rate
Rio Rancho
5.9%
Waukegan
4.3%
Waukegan +
Poverty Rate
Rio Rancho
24.2%
Waukegan
5.8%
Waukegan +
Bachelor's Degree+
Rio Rancho
19.6%
Waukegan
46.1%
Waukegan +
| Metric | Rio Rancho, NM | Waukegan, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $50,294 | $97,263 | Waukegan + |
| Per Capita Income | $28,418 | $49,019 | Waukegan + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $53,141 | $68,110 | Waukegan + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.9% | 4.3% | Waukegan + |
| Poverty Rate | 24.2% | 5.8% | Waukegan + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 19.6% | 46.1% | Waukegan + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Rio Rancho
$362,476
Waukegan
$239,865
Waukegan +
Homeownership Rate
Rio Rancho
66.4%
Rio Rancho +
Waukegan
65.5%
| Metric | Rio Rancho, NM | Waukegan, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $362,476 | $239,865 | Waukegan + |
| Homeownership Rate | 66.4% | 65.5% | Rio Rancho + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Rio Rancho
834
Waukegan
344
Waukegan +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Rio Rancho
3177
Waukegan
1842
Waukegan +
| Metric | Rio Rancho, NM | Waukegan, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 834 | 344 | Waukegan + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 3177 | 1842 | Waukegan + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Rio Rancho
31.9%
Rio Rancho +
Waukegan
40.2%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Rio Rancho
10.6%
Rio Rancho +
Waukegan
14.4%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Rio Rancho
15.4%
Rio Rancho +
Waukegan
16.9%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Rio Rancho
11.5%
Rio Rancho +
Waukegan
21.3%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Rio Rancho
15.0%
Waukegan
14.8%
Waukegan +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Rio Rancho
10.5%
Rio Rancho +
Waukegan
14.3%
| Metric | Rio Rancho, NM | Waukegan, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 31.9% | 40.2% | Rio Rancho + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 10.6% | 14.4% | Rio Rancho + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 15.4% | 16.9% | Rio Rancho + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.5% | 21.3% | Rio Rancho + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.0% | 14.8% | Waukegan + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 10.5% | 14.3% | Rio Rancho + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Rio Rancho
55.7°F
Waukegan
47.8°F
Waukegan +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Rio Rancho
12.3 in
Rio Rancho +
Waukegan
35.6 in
| Metric | Rio Rancho, NM | Waukegan, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 55.7°F | 47.8°F | Waukegan + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 12.3 in | 35.6 in | Rio Rancho + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Rio Rancho
6.1 µg/m³
Rio Rancho +
Waukegan
9.4 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Rio Rancho
75.0%
Rio Rancho +
Waukegan
55.0%
| Metric | Rio Rancho, NM | Waukegan, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 6.1 µg/m³ | 9.4 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 +
Waukegan
33.7 min
| Metric | Rio Rancho, NM | Waukegan, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 19.1 min | 33.7 min | Rio Rancho + |
Which City is Right for You?
Waukegan leads in median household income at $97,263, while waukegan offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $239,865. On public safety, Waukegan is safer with a violent crime rate of 344 per 100,000 residents, compared to 834 in Rio Rancho. Waukegan 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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