Rio Rancho NM vs West Palm Beach FL — 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 Palm Beach, FL
Florida · Population: 119,508
- Median HH Income$69,261
- Median Home Price$399,650
- Unemployment5.4%
- Bachelor's+37.6%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Rio Rancho
47,823
West Palm Beach
119,508
West Palm Beach +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Rio Rancho
N/A
West Palm Beach
N/A
Median Age
Rio Rancho
36.8
Rio Rancho +
West Palm Beach
40.2
Foreign Born
Rio Rancho
11.6%
West Palm Beach
27.2%
West Palm Beach +
White
Rio Rancho
62.2%
Rio Rancho +
West Palm Beach
44.0%
Black
Rio Rancho
1.8%
West Palm Beach
31.5%
West Palm Beach +
Asian
Rio Rancho
1.6%
West Palm Beach
2.5%
West Palm Beach +
Hispanic
Rio Rancho
61.1%
Rio Rancho +
West Palm Beach
24.6%
Spanish at Home
Rio Rancho
N/A
West Palm Beach
N/A
| Metric | Rio Rancho, NM | West Palm Beach, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 47,823 | 119,508 | West Palm Beach + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.8 | 40.2 | Rio Rancho + |
| Foreign Born | 11.6% | 27.2% | West Palm Beach + |
| White | 62.2% | 44.0% | Rio Rancho + |
| Black | 1.8% | 31.5% | West Palm Beach + |
| Asian | 1.6% | 2.5% | West Palm Beach + |
| Hispanic | 61.1% | 24.6% | Rio Rancho + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Rio Rancho
$50,294
West Palm Beach
$69,261
West Palm Beach +
Per Capita Income
Rio Rancho
$28,418
West Palm Beach
$44,508
West Palm Beach +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Rio Rancho
$53,141
West Palm Beach
$65,328
West Palm Beach +
Unemployment Rate
Rio Rancho
5.9%
West Palm Beach
5.4%
West Palm Beach +
Poverty Rate
Rio Rancho
24.2%
West Palm Beach
14.8%
West Palm Beach +
Bachelor's Degree+
Rio Rancho
19.6%
West Palm Beach
37.6%
West Palm Beach +
| Metric | Rio Rancho, NM | West Palm Beach, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $50,294 | $69,261 | West Palm Beach + |
| Per Capita Income | $28,418 | $44,508 | West Palm Beach + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $53,141 | $65,328 | West Palm Beach + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.9% | 5.4% | West Palm Beach + |
| Poverty Rate | 24.2% | 14.8% | West Palm Beach + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 19.6% | 37.6% | West Palm Beach + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Rio Rancho
$362,476
Rio Rancho +
West Palm Beach
$399,650
Homeownership Rate
Rio Rancho
66.4%
Rio Rancho +
West Palm Beach
50.2%
| Metric | Rio Rancho, NM | West Palm Beach, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $362,476 | $399,650 | Rio Rancho + |
| Homeownership Rate | 66.4% | 50.2% | Rio Rancho + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Rio Rancho
834
West Palm Beach
324
West Palm Beach +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Rio Rancho
3177
West Palm Beach
1453
West Palm Beach +
| Metric | Rio Rancho, NM | West Palm Beach, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 834 | 324 | West Palm Beach + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 3177 | 1453 | West Palm Beach + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Rio Rancho
31.9%
West Palm Beach
29.1%
West Palm Beach +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Rio Rancho
10.6%
Rio Rancho +
West Palm Beach
13.7%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Rio Rancho
15.4%
Rio Rancho +
West Palm Beach
16.4%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Rio Rancho
11.5%
Rio Rancho +
West Palm Beach
16.9%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Rio Rancho
15.0%
West Palm Beach
13.3%
West Palm Beach +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Rio Rancho
10.5%
Rio Rancho +
West Palm Beach
13.0%
| Metric | Rio Rancho, NM | West Palm Beach, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 31.9% | 29.1% | West Palm Beach + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 10.6% | 13.7% | Rio Rancho + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 15.4% | 16.4% | Rio Rancho + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.5% | 16.9% | Rio Rancho + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.0% | 13.3% | West Palm Beach + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 10.5% | 13.0% | Rio Rancho + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Rio Rancho
55.7°F
Rio Rancho +
West Palm Beach
75.4°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Rio Rancho
12.3 in
Rio Rancho +
West Palm Beach
62.3 in
| Metric | Rio Rancho, NM | West Palm Beach, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 55.7°F | 75.4°F | Rio Rancho + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 12.3 in | 62.3 in | Rio Rancho + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Rio Rancho
6.1 µg/m³
Rio Rancho +
West Palm Beach
7.2 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Rio Rancho
75.0%
West Palm Beach
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Rio Rancho, NM | West Palm Beach, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 6.1 µg/m³ | 7.2 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 +
West Palm Beach
25.0 min
| Metric | Rio Rancho, NM | West Palm Beach, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 19.1 min | 25.0 min | Rio Rancho + |
Which City is Right for You?
West Palm Beach leads in median household income at $69,261, while rio Rancho offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $362,476. On public safety, West Palm Beach is safer with a violent crime rate of 324 per 100,000 residents, compared to 834 in Rio Rancho. West Palm Beach has a lower unemployment rate at 5.4%, and Rio Rancho has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 6.1 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, West Palm Beach scores better with a lower obesity rate of 29.1%.
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