Rio Rancho NM vs Wilmington NC — 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%
Wilmington, NC
North Carolina · Population: 250,887
- Median HH Income$57,673
- Median Home Price$419,326
- Unemployment5.9%
- Bachelor's+37.2%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Rio Rancho
47,823
Wilmington
250,887
Wilmington +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Rio Rancho
N/A
Wilmington
N/A
Median Age
Rio Rancho
36.8
Wilmington
35.6
Wilmington +
Foreign Born
Rio Rancho
11.6%
Rio Rancho +
Wilmington
10.7%
White
Rio Rancho
62.2%
Rio Rancho +
Wilmington
48.7%
Black
Rio Rancho
1.8%
Wilmington
32.4%
Wilmington +
Asian
Rio Rancho
1.6%
Wilmington
2.3%
Wilmington +
Hispanic
Rio Rancho
61.1%
Rio Rancho +
Wilmington
17.9%
Spanish at Home
Rio Rancho
N/A
Wilmington
N/A
| Metric | Rio Rancho, NM | Wilmington, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 47,823 | 250,887 | Wilmington + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.8 | 35.6 | Wilmington + |
| Foreign Born | 11.6% | 10.7% | Rio Rancho + |
| White | 62.2% | 48.7% | Rio Rancho + |
| Black | 1.8% | 32.4% | Wilmington + |
| Asian | 1.6% | 2.3% | Wilmington + |
| Hispanic | 61.1% | 17.9% | Rio Rancho + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Rio Rancho
$50,294
Wilmington
$57,673
Wilmington +
Per Capita Income
Rio Rancho
$28,418
Wilmington
$35,074
Wilmington +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Rio Rancho
$53,141
Wilmington
$59,120
Wilmington +
Unemployment Rate
Rio Rancho
5.9%
Wilmington
5.9%
Wilmington +
Poverty Rate
Rio Rancho
24.2%
Wilmington
17.9%
Wilmington +
Bachelor's Degree+
Rio Rancho
19.6%
Wilmington
37.2%
Wilmington +
| Metric | Rio Rancho, NM | Wilmington, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $50,294 | $57,673 | Wilmington + |
| Per Capita Income | $28,418 | $35,074 | Wilmington + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $53,141 | $59,120 | Wilmington + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.9% | 5.9% | Wilmington + |
| Poverty Rate | 24.2% | 17.9% | Wilmington + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 19.6% | 37.2% | Wilmington + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Rio Rancho
$362,476
Rio Rancho +
Wilmington
$419,326
Homeownership Rate
Rio Rancho
66.4%
Rio Rancho +
Wilmington
54.6%
| Metric | Rio Rancho, NM | Wilmington, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $362,476 | $419,326 | Rio Rancho + |
| Homeownership Rate | 66.4% | 54.6% | Rio Rancho + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Rio Rancho
834
Wilmington
398
Wilmington +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Rio Rancho
3177
Wilmington
1999
Wilmington +
| Metric | Rio Rancho, NM | Wilmington, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 834 | 398 | Wilmington + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 3177 | 1999 | Wilmington + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Rio Rancho
31.9%
Wilmington
31.9%
Tie
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Rio Rancho
10.6%
Rio Rancho +
Wilmington
10.7%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Rio Rancho
15.4%
Rio Rancho +
Wilmington
17.4%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Rio Rancho
11.5%
Wilmington
9.6%
Wilmington +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Rio Rancho
15.0%
Rio Rancho +
Wilmington
17.5%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Rio Rancho
10.5%
Rio Rancho +
Wilmington
12.2%
| Metric | Rio Rancho, NM | Wilmington, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 31.9% | 31.9% | Tie |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 10.6% | 10.7% | Rio Rancho + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 15.4% | 17.4% | Rio Rancho + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.5% | 9.6% | Wilmington + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.0% | 17.5% | Rio Rancho + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 10.5% | 12.2% | Rio Rancho + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Rio Rancho
55.7°F
Rio Rancho +
Wilmington
63.8°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Rio Rancho
12.3 in
Rio Rancho +
Wilmington
58.4 in
| Metric | Rio Rancho, NM | Wilmington, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 55.7°F | 63.8°F | Rio Rancho + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 12.3 in | 58.4 in | Rio Rancho + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Rio Rancho
6.1 µg/m³
Rio Rancho +
Wilmington
8.7 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Rio Rancho
75.0%
Wilmington
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Rio Rancho, NM | Wilmington, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 6.1 µg/m³ | 8.7 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 +
Wilmington
23.2 min
| Metric | Rio Rancho, NM | Wilmington, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 19.1 min | 23.2 min | Rio Rancho + |
Which City is Right for You?
Wilmington leads in median household income at $57,673, while rio Rancho offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $362,476. On public safety, Wilmington is safer with a violent crime rate of 398 per 100,000 residents, compared to 834 in Rio Rancho. Wilmington 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, Wilmington scores better with a lower obesity rate of 31.9%.
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