Rio Rancho NM vs Wichita KS — 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%
Wichita, KS
Kansas · Population: 396,488
- Median HH Income$63,072
- Median Home Price$204,104
- Unemployment5.7%
- Bachelor's+30.9%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Rio Rancho
47,823
Wichita
396,488
Wichita +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Rio Rancho
N/A
Wichita
N/A
Median Age
Rio Rancho
36.8
Wichita
35.7
Wichita +
Foreign Born
Rio Rancho
11.6%
Rio Rancho +
Wichita
10.0%
White
Rio Rancho
62.2%
Wichita
66.6%
Wichita +
Black
Rio Rancho
1.8%
Wichita
9.7%
Wichita +
Asian
Rio Rancho
1.6%
Wichita
4.9%
Wichita +
Hispanic
Rio Rancho
61.1%
Rio Rancho +
Wichita
18.4%
Spanish at Home
Rio Rancho
N/A
Wichita
N/A
| Metric | Rio Rancho, NM | Wichita, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 47,823 | 396,488 | Wichita + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.8 | 35.7 | Wichita + |
| Foreign Born | 11.6% | 10.0% | Rio Rancho + |
| White | 62.2% | 66.6% | Wichita + |
| Black | 1.8% | 9.7% | Wichita + |
| Asian | 1.6% | 4.9% | Wichita + |
| Hispanic | 61.1% | 18.4% | Rio Rancho + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Rio Rancho
$50,294
Wichita
$63,072
Wichita +
Per Capita Income
Rio Rancho
$28,418
Wichita
$35,958
Wichita +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Rio Rancho
$53,141
Wichita
$61,860
Wichita +
Unemployment Rate
Rio Rancho
5.9%
Wichita
5.7%
Wichita +
Poverty Rate
Rio Rancho
24.2%
Wichita
15.9%
Wichita +
Bachelor's Degree+
Rio Rancho
19.6%
Wichita
30.9%
Wichita +
| Metric | Rio Rancho, NM | Wichita, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $50,294 | $63,072 | Wichita + |
| Per Capita Income | $28,418 | $35,958 | Wichita + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $53,141 | $61,860 | Wichita + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.9% | 5.7% | Wichita + |
| Poverty Rate | 24.2% | 15.9% | Wichita + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 19.6% | 30.9% | Wichita + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Rio Rancho
$362,476
Wichita
$204,104
Wichita +
Homeownership Rate
Rio Rancho
66.4%
Rio Rancho +
Wichita
58.4%
| Metric | Rio Rancho, NM | Wichita, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $362,476 | $204,104 | Wichita + |
| Homeownership Rate | 66.4% | 58.4% | Rio Rancho + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Rio Rancho
834
Wichita
449
Wichita +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Rio Rancho
3177
Wichita
2174
Wichita +
| Metric | Rio Rancho, NM | Wichita, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 834 | 449 | Wichita + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 3177 | 2174 | Wichita + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Rio Rancho
31.9%
Rio Rancho +
Wichita
39.5%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Rio Rancho
10.6%
Rio Rancho +
Wichita
12.6%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Rio Rancho
15.4%
Rio Rancho +
Wichita
17.7%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Rio Rancho
11.5%
Rio Rancho +
Wichita
12.9%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Rio Rancho
15.0%
Rio Rancho +
Wichita
15.4%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Rio Rancho
10.5%
Rio Rancho +
Wichita
16.3%
| Metric | Rio Rancho, NM | Wichita, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 31.9% | 39.5% | Rio Rancho + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 10.6% | 12.6% | Rio Rancho + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 15.4% | 17.7% | Rio Rancho + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.5% | 12.9% | Rio Rancho + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.0% | 15.4% | Rio Rancho + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 10.5% | 16.3% | Rio Rancho + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Rio Rancho
55.7°F
Rio Rancho +
Wichita
57.0°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Rio Rancho
12.3 in
Rio Rancho +
Wichita
32.6 in
| Metric | Rio Rancho, NM | Wichita, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 55.7°F | 57.0°F | Rio Rancho + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 12.3 in | 32.6 in | Rio Rancho + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Rio Rancho
6.1 µg/m³
Rio Rancho +
Wichita
8.2 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Rio Rancho
75.0%
Wichita
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Rio Rancho, NM | Wichita, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 6.1 µg/m³ | 8.2 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 +
Wichita
20.2 min
| Metric | Rio Rancho, NM | Wichita, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 19.1 min | 20.2 min | Rio Rancho + |
Which City is Right for You?
Wichita leads in median household income at $63,072, while wichita offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $204,104. On public safety, Wichita is safer with a violent crime rate of 449 per 100,000 residents, compared to 834 in Rio Rancho. Wichita has a lower unemployment rate at 5.7%, 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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