Rio Rancho NM vs Westminster CO — 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%
Westminster, CO
Colorado · Population: 115,546
- Median HH Income$96,145
- Median Home Price$528,447
- Unemployment3.8%
- Bachelor's+44.0%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Rio Rancho
47,823
Westminster
115,546
Westminster +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Rio Rancho
N/A
Westminster
N/A
Median Age
Rio Rancho
36.8
Rio Rancho +
Westminster
37.5
Foreign Born
Rio Rancho
11.6%
Rio Rancho +
Westminster
8.2%
White
Rio Rancho
62.2%
Westminster
74.7%
Westminster +
Black
Rio Rancho
1.8%
Rio Rancho +
Westminster
1.2%
Asian
Rio Rancho
1.6%
Westminster
4.7%
Westminster +
Hispanic
Rio Rancho
61.1%
Rio Rancho +
Westminster
23.7%
Spanish at Home
Rio Rancho
N/A
Westminster
N/A
| Metric | Rio Rancho, NM | Westminster, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 47,823 | 115,546 | Westminster + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.8 | 37.5 | Rio Rancho + |
| Foreign Born | 11.6% | 8.2% | Rio Rancho + |
| White | 62.2% | 74.7% | Westminster + |
| Black | 1.8% | 1.2% | Rio Rancho + |
| Asian | 1.6% | 4.7% | Westminster + |
| Hispanic | 61.1% | 23.7% | Rio Rancho + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Rio Rancho
$50,294
Westminster
$96,145
Westminster +
Per Capita Income
Rio Rancho
$28,418
Westminster
$51,982
Westminster +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Rio Rancho
$53,141
Westminster
$76,653
Westminster +
Unemployment Rate
Rio Rancho
5.9%
Westminster
3.8%
Westminster +
Poverty Rate
Rio Rancho
24.2%
Westminster
7.0%
Westminster +
Bachelor's Degree+
Rio Rancho
19.6%
Westminster
44.0%
Westminster +
| Metric | Rio Rancho, NM | Westminster, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $50,294 | $96,145 | Westminster + |
| Per Capita Income | $28,418 | $51,982 | Westminster + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $53,141 | $76,653 | Westminster + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.9% | 3.8% | Westminster + |
| Poverty Rate | 24.2% | 7.0% | Westminster + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 19.6% | 44.0% | Westminster + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Rio Rancho
$362,476
Rio Rancho +
Westminster
$528,447
Homeownership Rate
Rio Rancho
66.4%
Rio Rancho +
Westminster
63.7%
| Metric | Rio Rancho, NM | Westminster, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $362,476 | $528,447 | Rio Rancho + |
| Homeownership Rate | 66.4% | 63.7% | Rio Rancho + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Rio Rancho
834
Westminster
512
Westminster +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Rio Rancho
3177
Rio Rancho +
Westminster
3234
| Metric | Rio Rancho, NM | Westminster, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 834 | 512 | Westminster + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 3177 | 3234 | Rio Rancho + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Rio Rancho
31.9%
Westminster
27.7%
Westminster +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Rio Rancho
10.6%
Westminster
8.4%
Westminster +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Rio Rancho
15.4%
Rio Rancho +
Westminster
16.1%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Rio Rancho
11.5%
Westminster
11.1%
Westminster +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Rio Rancho
15.0%
Rio Rancho +
Westminster
18.7%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Rio Rancho
10.5%
Rio Rancho +
Westminster
11.1%
| Metric | Rio Rancho, NM | Westminster, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 31.9% | 27.7% | Westminster + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 10.6% | 8.4% | Westminster + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 15.4% | 16.1% | Rio Rancho + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.5% | 11.1% | Westminster + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.0% | 18.7% | Rio Rancho + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 10.5% | 11.1% | Rio Rancho + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Rio Rancho
55.7°F
Westminster
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Rio Rancho
12.3 in
Westminster
N/A
| Metric | Rio Rancho, NM | Westminster, CO | 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 +
Westminster
6.2 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Rio Rancho
75.0%
Westminster
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Rio Rancho, NM | Westminster, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 6.1 µg/m³ | 6.2 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 +
Westminster
28.6 min
| Metric | Rio Rancho, NM | Westminster, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 19.1 min | 28.6 min | Rio Rancho + |
Which City is Right for You?
Westminster leads in median household income at $96,145, while rio Rancho offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $362,476. On public safety, Westminster is safer with a violent crime rate of 512 per 100,000 residents, compared to 834 in Rio Rancho. Westminster has a lower unemployment rate at 3.8%, and Rio Rancho has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 6.1 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Westminster scores better with a lower obesity rate of 27.7%.
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