Smart Movers Club

    Moving to Rio Rancho, NM

    Is Rio Rancho a good place to live?

    Watch Rio Rancho

    Rio Rancho ranks #1 of 11 New Mexico cities with 25,000+ people on the Smart Movers livability score (80/100), which weighs home affordability, unemployment, education and population growth. Population grew 2.1% in the latest Census year.

    Median home value
    $273,300
    +10.8% vs prior year
    Median rent
    $1,481
    per month
    Household income
    $85,755
    median
    Unemployment
    4.8%
    lower is better

    Cost of living in Rio Rancho

    The median home value in Rio Rancho is $273,300 and median rent is $1,481 a month, against a median household income of $85,755. Homes cost about 3.2× a year of income (under 3× is considered affordable).

    Rio Rancho crime rate

    City-level FBI figures vary by agency; across New Mexico the 2025 rate was 648 violent and 2,351 property crimes per 100,000 people — #1 highest of 50 states. The full report breaks down local trends.

    Moving to Rio Rancho, NM

    Rio Rancho has about 106,533 residents, 4.8% unemployment and 21% of adults with a bachelor's degree or higher.

    Compare Rio Rancho with

    Rio Rancho vs AlbuquerqueRio Rancho vs Las CrucesRio Rancho vs Santa FeRio Rancho vs RoswellRio Rancho vs FarmingtonRio Rancho vs HobbsRio Rancho vs ClovisRio Rancho vs South Valley

    More: Where to move in New Mexico · Best counties in New Mexico

    Sources: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year estimates (2023, compared with 2022); FBI Crime Data Explorer.

    Home listings, local news, migration, schools, resources and the Smart Movers Grade & Verdict.

    See the full Smart Movers Club report