Head-to-Head · City Comparison
Des Moines, IA
VS
Rio Rancho, NM
🏆 Rio Rancho leads 18 of 23 categories
Des Moines
Iowa
5
wins
Cost of Living Index
92.7 ✓ Cheaper
Median Household Income
$62,378
Violent Crime Index
185⚠ High
Population
213,164 ✓ Larger
Rio Rancho
New Mexico
18
wins
Cost of Living Index
93.0
Median Household Income
$78,978 ✓ Higher
Violent Crime Index
84 ✓ Safer
Population
104,351
Pros & Cons
Auto-generated from official data — head-to-head differences and gaps vs the national average.
Des Moines, IA
Pros
Homes cost $76k less ($170,700 vs $246,700)
Rent averages $362/mo less ($995 vs $1,357)
Commutes run 9 min shorter each way
Living costs sit below the national average (index 92.7)
Cooler summers — July highs near 86°F vs 96°F
Cons
Violent crime (703.0/100k) is above the U.S. average of 380
Median income trails Rio Rancho by $16,600/yr
Property crime (3126.5/100k) runs high vs the U.S. average
Rio Rancho, NM
Pros
55% less violent crime than Des Moines
Households earn $16,600 more per year on average
Milder winters — January highs near 50°F vs 31°F
Living costs sit below the national average (index 93.0)
More college-educated — 33.2% hold a bachelor's or higher
Cons
Higher rents — median is $1,357/mo
Longer commutes — 28.5 min average each way
Key Differences at a Glance
Des Moines
Median Home Value
$76k less
$170,700 vs $246,700
Both cities
Cost of Living
≈ Equal
Both near 92.7 on the COL index
Rio Rancho
Median Income
$16,600
$78,978 vs $62,378/yr
Rio Rancho
Violent Crime
55% lower
318.2 vs 703.0 per 100k
Rio Rancho
Summer Heat
9.9°F warmer
July avg high 95.5°F vs 85.6°F
Full Data Comparison
| Metric | Des Moines, IA | Rio Rancho, NM |
|---|---|---|
| 💰 Cost of Living | ||
| Cost of Living Index National avg = 100 · lower = cheaper | 92.7 ✓ Cheaper | 93.0 |
| Median Home Value | $170,700 ✓ Lower | $246,700 |
| Median Monthly Rent | $995 ✓ Lower | $1,357⚠ High |
| 📈 Income & Economy | ||
| Median Household Income | $62,378 | $78,978 ✓ Higher |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.9%⚠ High | 5.5%⚠ High ✓ Lower |
| Avg Commute Minutes each way | 19.5 min ✓ Shorter | 28.5 min⚠ High |
| Work From Home % | 10.2% | 12.1% ✓ Higher |
| 🔒 Safety | ||
| Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer · 60% violent / 40% property | 171⚠ High | 76 ✓ Safer |
| Violent Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 185⚠ High | 84 ✓ Safer |
| Property Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 149⚠ High | 64 ✓ Safer |
| 🎓 Education | ||
| School Quality 100 = national avg · grad rate, staffing & attainment | B- (93) | B+ (107) ✓ Better |
| Student-Teacher Ratio Lower = smaller classes | 14.5:1 | 13.6:1 ✓ Smaller |
| Bachelor's Degree or Higher | 28.7% | 33.2% ✓ Higher |
| High School or Higher | 87.6% | 94.6% ✓ Higher |
| School District Name only — no quality rating available | Des Moines Independent Comm School District | SANDOVAL ACADEMY OF BILINGUAL EDUCATION |
| 🌤 Weather | ||
| Avg High — January | 30.9°F | 49.9°F ✓ Warmer |
| Avg High — July | 85.6°F | 95.5°F ✓ Warmer |
| Annual Precipitation | 36.5" | 10.3" ✓ Drier |
| Annual Snowfall | 36.5" | 9.3" ✓ Less |
| 👥 Demographics | ||
| Population | 213,164 ✓ Larger | 104,351 |
| Median Age | 34.4 | 39.0 ✓ Older |
| Homeownership Rate | 60.3% | 81.1% ✓ Higher |
| Under 18 | 23.2% | 24.2% ✓ More |
| Over 65 | 12.4% | 16.9% ✓ More |
Frequently Asked Questions
Des Moines's cost of living index is 92.7 vs Rio Rancho's 93.0 (US average = 100).
Des Moines is 0% less expensive overall.
Based on the 23 decided categories above, Rio Rancho leads 18 of 23 categories. Des Moines wins 5 and Rio Rancho wins 18. The right choice depends on your priorities — use the Pros & Cons and full table above to weigh what matters to you.
Whether you're moving from Des Moines to Rio Rancho or relocating the other way, focus on the biggest gaps: housing ($170,700 vs $246,700 median home), income ($62,378 vs $78,978), safety, and schools — all covered in the full table above.
Des Moines, IA and Rio Rancho, NM are about 830 miles apart (straight-line distance). Driving distance will be longer depending on the route.