Rio Rancho NM vs Worcester MA — 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%
Worcester, MA
Massachusetts · Population: 205,501
- Median HH Income$67,544
- Median Home Price$435,532
- Unemployment6.4%
- Bachelor's+34.1%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Rio Rancho
47,823
Worcester
205,501
Worcester +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Rio Rancho
N/A
Worcester
N/A
Median Age
Rio Rancho
36.8
Worcester
34.1
Worcester +
Foreign Born
Rio Rancho
11.6%
Worcester
23.2%
Worcester +
White
Rio Rancho
62.2%
Rio Rancho +
Worcester
58.0%
Black
Rio Rancho
1.8%
Worcester
12.1%
Worcester +
Asian
Rio Rancho
1.6%
Worcester
6.9%
Worcester +
Hispanic
Rio Rancho
61.1%
Rio Rancho +
Worcester
24.9%
Spanish at Home
Rio Rancho
N/A
Worcester
N/A
| Metric | Rio Rancho, NM | Worcester, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 47,823 | 205,501 | Worcester + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.8 | 34.1 | Worcester + |
| Foreign Born | 11.6% | 23.2% | Worcester + |
| White | 62.2% | 58.0% | Rio Rancho + |
| Black | 1.8% | 12.1% | Worcester + |
| Asian | 1.6% | 6.9% | Worcester + |
| Hispanic | 61.1% | 24.9% | Rio Rancho + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Rio Rancho
$50,294
Worcester
$67,544
Worcester +
Per Capita Income
Rio Rancho
$28,418
Worcester
$35,825
Worcester +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Rio Rancho
$53,141
Worcester
$85,405
Worcester +
Unemployment Rate
Rio Rancho
5.9%
Rio Rancho +
Worcester
6.4%
Poverty Rate
Rio Rancho
24.2%
Worcester
19.8%
Worcester +
Bachelor's Degree+
Rio Rancho
19.6%
Worcester
34.1%
Worcester +
| Metric | Rio Rancho, NM | Worcester, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $50,294 | $67,544 | Worcester + |
| Per Capita Income | $28,418 | $35,825 | Worcester + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $53,141 | $85,405 | Worcester + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.9% | 6.4% | Rio Rancho + |
| Poverty Rate | 24.2% | 19.8% | Worcester + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 19.6% | 34.1% | Worcester + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Rio Rancho
$362,476
Rio Rancho +
Worcester
$435,532
Homeownership Rate
Rio Rancho
66.4%
Rio Rancho +
Worcester
42.4%
| Metric | Rio Rancho, NM | Worcester, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $362,476 | $435,532 | Rio Rancho + |
| Homeownership Rate | 66.4% | 42.4% | Rio Rancho + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Rio Rancho
834
Worcester
326
Worcester +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Rio Rancho
3177
Worcester
1086
Worcester +
| Metric | Rio Rancho, NM | Worcester, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 834 | 326 | Worcester + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 3177 | 1086 | Worcester + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Rio Rancho
31.9%
Rio Rancho +
Worcester
35.3%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Rio Rancho
10.6%
Rio Rancho +
Worcester
11.4%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Rio Rancho
15.4%
Rio Rancho +
Worcester
19.9%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Rio Rancho
11.5%
Worcester
8.7%
Worcester +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Rio Rancho
15.0%
Rio Rancho +
Worcester
17.1%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Rio Rancho
10.5%
Rio Rancho +
Worcester
14.5%
| Metric | Rio Rancho, NM | Worcester, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 31.9% | 35.3% | Rio Rancho + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 10.6% | 11.4% | Rio Rancho + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 15.4% | 19.9% | Rio Rancho + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.5% | 8.7% | Worcester + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.0% | 17.1% | Rio Rancho + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 10.5% | 14.5% | Rio Rancho + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Rio Rancho
55.7°F
Worcester
47.9°F
Worcester +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Rio Rancho
12.3 in
Rio Rancho +
Worcester
48.1 in
| Metric | Rio Rancho, NM | Worcester, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 55.7°F | 47.9°F | Worcester + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 12.3 in | 48.1 in | Rio Rancho + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Rio Rancho
6.1 µg/m³
Rio Rancho +
Worcester
7.2 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Rio Rancho
75.0%
Worcester
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Rio Rancho, NM | Worcester, MA | 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 +
Worcester
27.3 min
| Metric | Rio Rancho, NM | Worcester, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 19.1 min | 27.3 min | Rio Rancho + |
Which City is Right for You?
Worcester leads in median household income at $67,544, while rio Rancho offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $362,476. On public safety, Worcester is safer with a violent crime rate of 326 per 100,000 residents, compared to 834 in Rio Rancho. Rio Rancho 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, Rio Rancho scores better with a lower obesity rate of 31.9%.
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