Rio Rancho NM vs Winston-Salem 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%
Winston-Salem, NC
North Carolina · Population: 118,578
- Median HH Income$63,900
- Median Home Price$265,013
- Unemployment4.6%
- Bachelor's+45.8%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Rio Rancho
47,823
Winston-Salem
118,578
Winston-Salem +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Rio Rancho
N/A
Winston-Salem
N/A
Median Age
Rio Rancho
36.8
Rio Rancho +
Winston-Salem
37.5
Foreign Born
Rio Rancho
11.6%
Rio Rancho +
Winston-Salem
5.7%
White
Rio Rancho
62.2%
Winston-Salem
72.9%
Winston-Salem +
Black
Rio Rancho
1.8%
Winston-Salem
14.9%
Winston-Salem +
Asian
Rio Rancho
1.6%
Rio Rancho +
Winston-Salem
1.3%
Hispanic
Rio Rancho
61.1%
Rio Rancho +
Winston-Salem
8.9%
Spanish at Home
Rio Rancho
N/A
Winston-Salem
N/A
| Metric | Rio Rancho, NM | Winston-Salem, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 47,823 | 118,578 | Winston-Salem + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.8 | 37.5 | Rio Rancho + |
| Foreign Born | 11.6% | 5.7% | Rio Rancho + |
| White | 62.2% | 72.9% | Winston-Salem + |
| Black | 1.8% | 14.9% | Winston-Salem + |
| Asian | 1.6% | 1.3% | Rio Rancho + |
| Hispanic | 61.1% | 8.9% | Rio Rancho + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Rio Rancho
$50,294
Winston-Salem
$63,900
Winston-Salem +
Per Capita Income
Rio Rancho
$28,418
Winston-Salem
$46,062
Winston-Salem +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Rio Rancho
$53,141
Winston-Salem
$59,120
Winston-Salem +
Unemployment Rate
Rio Rancho
5.9%
Winston-Salem
4.6%
Winston-Salem +
Poverty Rate
Rio Rancho
24.2%
Winston-Salem
16.3%
Winston-Salem +
Bachelor's Degree+
Rio Rancho
19.6%
Winston-Salem
45.8%
Winston-Salem +
| Metric | Rio Rancho, NM | Winston-Salem, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $50,294 | $63,900 | Winston-Salem + |
| Per Capita Income | $28,418 | $46,062 | Winston-Salem + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $53,141 | $59,120 | Winston-Salem + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.9% | 4.6% | Winston-Salem + |
| Poverty Rate | 24.2% | 16.3% | Winston-Salem + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 19.6% | 45.8% | Winston-Salem + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Rio Rancho
$362,476
Winston-Salem
$265,013
Winston-Salem +
Homeownership Rate
Rio Rancho
66.4%
Rio Rancho +
Winston-Salem
46.8%
| Metric | Rio Rancho, NM | Winston-Salem, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $362,476 | $265,013 | Winston-Salem + |
| Homeownership Rate | 66.4% | 46.8% | Rio Rancho + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Rio Rancho
834
Winston-Salem
398
Winston-Salem +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Rio Rancho
3177
Winston-Salem
1999
Winston-Salem +
| Metric | Rio Rancho, NM | Winston-Salem, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 834 | 398 | Winston-Salem + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 3177 | 1999 | Winston-Salem + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Rio Rancho
31.9%
Rio Rancho +
Winston-Salem
42.7%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Rio Rancho
10.6%
Rio Rancho +
Winston-Salem
13.1%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Rio Rancho
15.4%
Rio Rancho +
Winston-Salem
17.4%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Rio Rancho
11.5%
Rio Rancho +
Winston-Salem
12.8%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Rio Rancho
15.0%
Winston-Salem
14.4%
Winston-Salem +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Rio Rancho
10.5%
Rio Rancho +
Winston-Salem
14.4%
| Metric | Rio Rancho, NM | Winston-Salem, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 31.9% | 42.7% | Rio Rancho + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 10.6% | 13.1% | Rio Rancho + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 15.4% | 17.4% | Rio Rancho + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.5% | 12.8% | Rio Rancho + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.0% | 14.4% | Winston-Salem + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 10.5% | 14.4% | Rio Rancho + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Rio Rancho
55.7°F
Winston-Salem
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Rio Rancho
12.3 in
Winston-Salem
N/A
| Metric | Rio Rancho, NM | Winston-Salem, NC | 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 +
Winston-Salem
8.7 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Rio Rancho
75.0%
Winston-Salem
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Rio Rancho, NM | Winston-Salem, 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 +
Winston-Salem
20.0 min
| Metric | Rio Rancho, NM | Winston-Salem, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 19.1 min | 20.0 min | Rio Rancho + |
Which City is Right for You?
Winston-Salem leads in median household income at $63,900, while winston-Salem offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $265,013. On public safety, Winston-Salem is safer with a violent crime rate of 398 per 100,000 residents, compared to 834 in Rio Rancho. Winston-Salem has a lower unemployment rate at 4.6%, 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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