Rio Rancho NM vs West Covina CA — 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%
West Covina, CA
California · Population: 107,436
- Median HH Income$98,570
- Median Home Price$851,613
- Unemployment6.2%
- Bachelor's+29.8%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Rio Rancho
47,823
West Covina
107,436
West Covina +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Rio Rancho
N/A
West Covina
N/A
Median Age
Rio Rancho
36.8
Rio Rancho +
West Covina
40.1
Foreign Born
Rio Rancho
11.6%
West Covina
36.7%
West Covina +
White
Rio Rancho
62.2%
Rio Rancho +
West Covina
20.0%
Black
Rio Rancho
1.8%
West Covina
4.1%
West Covina +
Asian
Rio Rancho
1.6%
West Covina
30.6%
West Covina +
Hispanic
Rio Rancho
61.1%
Rio Rancho +
West Covina
53.2%
Spanish at Home
Rio Rancho
N/A
West Covina
N/A
| Metric | Rio Rancho, NM | West Covina, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 47,823 | 107,436 | West Covina + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.8 | 40.1 | Rio Rancho + |
| Foreign Born | 11.6% | 36.7% | West Covina + |
| White | 62.2% | 20.0% | Rio Rancho + |
| Black | 1.8% | 4.1% | West Covina + |
| Asian | 1.6% | 30.6% | West Covina + |
| Hispanic | 61.1% | 53.2% | Rio Rancho + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Rio Rancho
$50,294
West Covina
$98,570
West Covina +
Per Capita Income
Rio Rancho
$28,418
West Covina
$38,100
West Covina +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Rio Rancho
$53,141
West Covina
$77,230
West Covina +
Unemployment Rate
Rio Rancho
5.9%
Rio Rancho +
West Covina
6.2%
Poverty Rate
Rio Rancho
24.2%
West Covina
9.7%
West Covina +
Bachelor's Degree+
Rio Rancho
19.6%
West Covina
29.8%
West Covina +
| Metric | Rio Rancho, NM | West Covina, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $50,294 | $98,570 | West Covina + |
| Per Capita Income | $28,418 | $38,100 | West Covina + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $53,141 | $77,230 | West Covina + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.9% | 6.2% | Rio Rancho + |
| Poverty Rate | 24.2% | 9.7% | West Covina + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 19.6% | 29.8% | West Covina + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Rio Rancho
$362,476
Rio Rancho +
West Covina
$851,613
Homeownership Rate
Rio Rancho
66.4%
Rio Rancho +
West Covina
60.8%
| Metric | Rio Rancho, NM | West Covina, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $362,476 | $851,613 | Rio Rancho + |
| Homeownership Rate | 66.4% | 60.8% | Rio Rancho + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Rio Rancho
834
West Covina
503
West Covina +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Rio Rancho
3177
West Covina
2388
West Covina +
| Metric | Rio Rancho, NM | West Covina, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 834 | 503 | West Covina + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 3177 | 2388 | West Covina + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Rio Rancho
31.9%
West Covina
23.5%
West Covina +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Rio Rancho
10.6%
Rio Rancho +
West Covina
12.8%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Rio Rancho
15.4%
West Covina
14.7%
West Covina +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Rio Rancho
11.5%
West Covina
11.4%
West Covina +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Rio Rancho
15.0%
West Covina
13.7%
West Covina +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Rio Rancho
10.5%
West Covina
9.6%
West Covina +
| Metric | Rio Rancho, NM | West Covina, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 31.9% | 23.5% | West Covina + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 10.6% | 12.8% | Rio Rancho + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 15.4% | 14.7% | West Covina + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.5% | 11.4% | West Covina + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.0% | 13.7% | West Covina + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 10.5% | 9.6% | West Covina + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Rio Rancho
55.7°F
West Covina
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Rio Rancho
12.3 in
West Covina
N/A
| Metric | Rio Rancho, NM | West Covina, CA | 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 +
West Covina
7.9 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Rio Rancho
75.0%
West Covina
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Rio Rancho, NM | West Covina, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 6.1 µg/m³ | 7.9 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 +
West Covina
36.1 min
| Metric | Rio Rancho, NM | West Covina, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 19.1 min | 36.1 min | Rio Rancho + |
Which City is Right for You?
West Covina leads in median household income at $98,570, while rio Rancho offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $362,476. On public safety, West Covina is safer with a violent crime rate of 503 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, West Covina scores better with a lower obesity rate of 23.5%.
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