Head-to-Head · City Comparison
Phoenix, AZ
VS
Rio Rancho, NM
🏆 Rio Rancho leads 13 of 23 categories
Phoenix
Arizona
10
wins
Cost of Living Index
98.4
Median Household Income
$72,092
Violent Crime Index
210⚠ High
Population
1,609,456 ✓ Larger
Rio Rancho
New Mexico
13
wins
Cost of Living Index
93.0 ✓ Cheaper
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.
Phoenix, AZ
Pros
Milder winters — January highs near 65°F vs 50°F
Cons
Pricier housing — median home is $340,200
Violent crime (799.6/100k) is above the U.S. average of 380
Median income trails Rio Rancho by $6,886/yr
Hot summers — July highs average 104°F
Rio Rancho, NM
Pros
60% less violent crime than Phoenix
Homes cost $94k less ($246,700 vs $340,200)
Households earn $6,886 more per year on average
Living costs sit below the national average (index 93.0)
Cooler summers — July highs near 96°F vs 104°F
5% cheaper overall cost of living than Phoenix
Cons
Nothing stands out — a close match here.
Key Differences at a Glance
Phoenix
Summer Heat
8.5°F warmer
July avg high 104.0°F vs 95.5°F
Rio Rancho
Cost of Living
5% cheaper
COL index 93.0 vs 98.4 (100 = US avg)
Rio Rancho
Median Income
$6,886
$78,978 vs $72,092/yr
Rio Rancho
Violent Crime
60% lower
318.2 vs 799.6 per 100k
Rio Rancho
Median Home Value
$94k less
$246,700 vs $340,200
Full Data Comparison
| Metric | Phoenix, AZ | Rio Rancho, NM |
|---|---|---|
| 💰 Cost of Living | ||
| Cost of Living Index National avg = 100 · lower = cheaper | 98.4 | 93.0 ✓ Cheaper |
| Median Home Value | $340,200⚠ High | $246,700 ✓ Lower |
| Median Monthly Rent | $1,322 ✓ Lower | $1,357⚠ High |
| 📈 Income & Economy | ||
| Median Household Income | $72,092 | $78,978 ✓ Higher |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.2%⚠ High ✓ Lower | 5.5%⚠ High |
| Avg Commute Minutes each way | 25.7 min ✓ Shorter | 28.5 min⚠ High |
| Work From Home % | 14.4% ✓ Higher | 12.1% |
| 🔒 Safety | ||
| Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer · 60% violent / 40% property | 171⚠ High | 76 ✓ Safer |
| Violent Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 210⚠ High | 84 ✓ Safer |
| Property Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 111⚠ High | 64 ✓ Safer |
| 🎓 Education | ||
| School Quality 100 = national avg · grad rate, staffing & attainment | B (98) | B+ (107) ✓ Better |
| Student-Teacher Ratio Lower = smaller classes | 15.7:1 | 13.6:1 ✓ Smaller |
| Bachelor's Degree or Higher | 31.2% | 33.2% ✓ Higher |
| High School or Higher | 83.9% | 94.6% ✓ Higher |
| School District Name only — no quality rating available | Paradise Valley Unified District (4241) | SANDOVAL ACADEMY OF BILINGUAL EDUCATION |
| 🌤 Weather | ||
| Avg High — January | 65.4°F ✓ Warmer | 49.9°F |
| Avg High — July | 104.0°F ✓ Warmer | 95.5°F |
| Annual Precipitation | 8.5" ✓ Drier | 10.3" |
| Annual Snowfall | 0.2" ✓ Less | 9.3" |
| 👥 Demographics | ||
| Population | 1,609,456 ✓ Larger | 104,351 |
| Median Age | 34.4 | 39.0 ✓ Older |
| Homeownership Rate | 56.4% | 81.1% ✓ Higher |
| Under 18 | 24.5% ✓ More | 24.2% |
| Over 65 | 11.5% | 16.9% ✓ More |
Frequently Asked Questions
Phoenix's cost of living index is 98.4 vs Rio Rancho's 93.0 (US average = 100).
Rio Rancho is 5% less expensive overall.
Based on the 23 decided categories above, Rio Rancho leads 13 of 23 categories. Phoenix wins 10 and Rio Rancho wins 13. 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 Phoenix to Rio Rancho or relocating the other way, focus on the biggest gaps: housing ($340,200 vs $246,700 median home), income ($72,092 vs $78,978), safety, and schools — all covered in the full table above.
Phoenix, AZ and Rio Rancho, NM are about 329 miles apart (straight-line distance). Driving distance will be longer depending on the route.