Rio Rancho, NM

New Mexico · Metropolitan Area

Rio Rancho is a large city in New Mexico with a population of 106,533. Residents earn $85,755 per year, which is 14% above the national average.

3.5 /5.0
B+ Good
106,533 Population 1,031/sq mi density
$85,755 Median Income $39,161 per capita
$273,300 Home Value $356,585 Zillow
$1,481 Median Rent
57°F Avg Temperature 349 sunny days/yr
188 Violent Crime/100K 1,951 property/100K
B+
Overall
3.5 / 5.0
Good overall score based on economy, affordability, safety and education
A+
Economy
4.5 / 5.0
$85,755 median income, 3.0% unemployment
A+
Affordability
4.9 / 5.0
$273,300 home value, $1,481/mo rent
F
Safety
1.0 / 5.0
188 violent crimes/100K (50% below avg)
B+
Education
3.7 / 5.0
33.6% bachelor's degree or higher
Median Income $85,755
14% higher than US avg
Home Value $273,300
3% lower than US avg
Violent Crime 188/100K
50% lower than US avg
Bachelor's+ 33.6%
0% lower than US avg
Median Rent $1,481
27% higher than US avg
Obesity Rate 31.6%
2% lower than US avg
Unemployment 3.0%
17% lower than US avg
Poverty Rate 6.0%
52% lower than US avg

How Rio Rancho Compares to the U.S. Average (100% = U.S. avg)

People

Population106,533
Median Age39.0 yrs
Density1,031/mi²
Male / Female50% / 50%
Largest GroupWhite 62%

Economy

A+
Median Income$85,755
Per Capita$39,161
Unemployment3.0%
Poverty6.0%
County GDP$54,831M
Commute30 min

Housing

A+
Home Value$273,300
Rent$1,481
OwnershipN/A
Zillow$356,585

Crime

F
Violent188/100K
Property1,951/100K
Murder1.1/100K
Assault146/100K
Burglary440/100K

Health

Obesity31.6%
UninsuredN/A
Depression24.3%
Heart Disease4.7%

Climate

Avg Temp57°F
AQI37 (Good)
Rain10.7 in/yr
Sunny Days349/yr
Elevation5,512 ft

Education

B+
Bachelor's+33.6%
High School+94.4%
School Score4.65

Community

2024 VoteR 38% / D 59%
Commute30 min
EV Stations4
Libraries20

Is Rio Rancho a Good Place to Live?

Based on current data, Rio Rancho receives an overall livability score of 3.5 out of 5.0, earning a grade of B+. Key strengths include above-average household incomes, low unemployment, low crime rates, abundant sunshine. Rio Rancho offers a solid quality of life with a good balance of affordability, safety, and opportunity.

Economy & Jobs

The median household income in Rio Rancho is $85,755, 14% above the national average of $75,149. Residents generally enjoy above-average earning potential. Unemployment stands at 3.0%, indicating a healthy job market. Only 6.0% of residents live below the poverty line, well below the national rate of 12.4%. Workers commute an average of 30 minutes.

Cost of Living & Housing

The median home value in Rio Rancho is $273,300, roughly aligned with the national median of $281,900. Renters pay a median of $1,481 per month, significantly above the national average of $1,163. A price-to-income ratio of 3.2x indicates a reasonably affordable housing market.

Safety & Crime

Violent crime in Rio Rancho is below the national average at 188 per 100,000 residents (U.S. avg: 380). Property crime occurs at a rate of 1,951 per 100,000, near the national average.

Education

Educational attainment is solid, with 33.6% holding a bachelor's degree or higher, near the national average. 94.4% have completed high school. Area schools have an average test score of 4.7/10.

Climate & Weather

Rio Rancho enjoys a moderate climate with an average annual temperature of 57°F. Winters average 33°F in January while summers reach 85°F in July. With 349 sunny days per year, residents enjoy well above the national average of sunshine. Annual precipitation totals 10.7 inches, including 22.3 inches of snow. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 37.

Rio Rancho has a population of 106,533 with a density of 1,031 people per square mile. The median age is 39.0 years, 0% younger than the national median of 38.9. The city is predominantly White (61.7%), with 7.3% Hispanic, 2.9% Black, 1.8% Asian.

Population

106,533
Total Population
1,031
People / sq mi
39.0yrs
Median Age
0% below US avg
103.4mi²
Land Area

Gender Distribution

Male 49.6%
Female 50.4%

Race & Ethnicity

Rio Rancho vs U.S. Average

Language Spoken at Home

English Only83.2%
6% above US avg
Spanish16.8%
25% above US avg

Social Characteristics

Rio Rancho vs U.S. Average

The median household income in Rio Rancho is $85,755, which is 14% above the national average of $75,149. The unemployment rate is 3.0% (below the 3.6% US average). 6.0% of residents live below the poverty line. Workers commute an average of 30 minutes.

Income: Rio Rancho vs U.S.

Commute Mode

Income

Median HH Income$85,755
14% above US avg
Per Capita Income$39,161
Avg Weekly Wage$1,221
IRS Avg AGI$71,971

Employment & Poverty

Unemployment3.0%
17% below US avg
Poverty Rate6.0%
52% below US avg
Establishments (County)22,948
County GDP$54,831M

Business (County)

Restaurants1,584
Healthcare2,110
Retail1,974
Manufacturing547

Tax & Cost of Living

Property Tax (IRS)$4,874
39% above US avg
Effective Tax Rate1.78%

Commute & Transportation

Commute Time29.9 min
Work from Home13.8%

Walkability

The median home value in Rio Rancho is $273,300, 3% below the national average. Monthly rent averages $1,481 (27% above US avg). Zillow estimates the typical home value at $356,585.

Home Value Sources

Ownership Split

Home Values

Census Median$273,300
3% below US avg
Zillow ZHVI$356,585

Real Estate Market (Redfin)

Rental Costs

Census Median Rent$1,481
27% above US avg
Zillow Rent (ZORI)$1,902

HUD Fair Market Rent

Studio$828
1 Bedroom$927
2 Bedrooms$1,129
3 Bedrooms$1,496
4 Bedrooms$1,758

Ownership & Property

Owner-Occupied82.2%

Property Tax

Avg Tax (IRS)$4,874
39% above US avg
Effective Rate1.78%
In Rio Rancho, 31.6% of adults are obese (below the 32.1% national rate). 24.3% report depression. 20.0% are physically inactive.

Health Metrics: Rio Rancho vs U.S. Average (%)

Chronic Conditions

Obesity31.6%
2% below US avg
Diabetes9.0%
Heart Disease4.7%
High Blood Pressure28.4%
Asthma9.5%
COPD4.4%
Stroke2.6%

Behaviors & Mental Health

Binge Drinking16.3%
Physical Inactivity20.0%
Depression24.3%
Mental Distress16.3%
Physical Distress12.2%

Healthcare Access

Insurance Rate95.3%
Checkup Rate66.4%
Premature Death11,524/100K

Food & Exercise

Food Environment7.8/10
Exercise Access95.5%
Healthcare Facilities2,110
Rio Rancho has a violent crime rate of 188 per 100,000 residents, 50% below the national average of 380. Property crime stands at 1,951 per 100,000 (0% below US avg). The murder rate is 1.1 per 100,000.

Crime Rates: Rio Rancho vs U.S. Average (per 100,000)

Violent Crime

Total Violent188.2/100K
50% below US avg
Murder1.1/100K
83% below US avg
Rape10.8/100K
Robbery30.1/100K
Assault146.3/100K

Property Crime

Total Property1,951.3/100K
0% below US avg
Burglary440.0/100K
Theft1,390.9/100K
Vehicle Theft120.5/100K
Arson14.0/100K

Traffic Safety

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)102
FEMA Disasters91

Safety Score

Safety GradeF
Safety Score1.0 / 5.0
Rio Rancho has an average annual temperature of 57°F (14°C). Winters average 33°F in January while summers reach 85°F in July. Annual precipitation is 10.7 inches. The area enjoys 349 sunny days per year. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 37.

Temperature

33°F Jan (0°C) 85°F Jul (30°C)
Annual Average56.8°F
5% above US avg
January Average33°F (0°C)
July Average85°F (30°C)
Sunny Days349 days/yr

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall10.7 inches
72% below US avg
Snowfall22.3 inches/yr

Air Quality

AQI Median37.0
RatingGood

Geography

Elevation5,512 ft (1,680 m)
Area103.4 sq mi (267.7 km²)
Population Density1,031/sq mi
Coordinates35.2851°N, 106.6989°W
County FIPS35001
It is classified as Metro — 250K–1M. 33.6% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher (0% below US avg). In the 2024 election, the county voted Democrat by a 21-point margin.

2024 Presidential Election (County)

R 38.2%
D 59.2%

Winner: Democrat by 21 points

Education

Bachelor's Degree+33.6%
0% below US avg
High School+94.4%
School Test Score4.65
B+ Education Grade (3.7/5.0)

Urban-Rural Classification

RUCC Code 2Metro — 250K–1M
Population Density1,031/sq mi
Total Area103.4 sq mi

Infrastructure & Services

EV Charging Stations4
Alt Fuel Stations6
Public Libraries20
Healthcare Facilities2,110
Restaurants1,584
Retail Stores1,974

Safety & Disasters

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)102
FEMA Disaster Declarations91
F Safety Grade (1.0/5.0)

Commute & Transportation

Avg Commute29.9 min
Work from Home13.8%

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