Head-to-Head · City Comparison
Rio Rancho, NM
VS
Salem, OR
🏆 Rio Rancho leads 18 of 23 categories
Rio Rancho
New Mexico
18
wins
Cost of Living Index
93.0 ✓ Cheaper
Median Household Income
$78,978 ✓ Higher
Violent Crime Index
84 ✓ Safer
Population
104,351
Salem
Oregon
5
wins
Cost of Living Index
102.4⚠ High
Median Household Income
$67,540
Violent Crime Index
140⚠ High
Population
175,754 ✓ Larger
Pros & Cons
Auto-generated from official data — head-to-head differences and gaps vs the national average.
Rio Rancho, NM
Pros
40% less violent crime than Salem
Homes cost $103k less ($246,700 vs $349,500)
Households earn $11,438 more per year on average
Stronger job market — unemployment is 0.6 pts lower (5.5%)
9% cheaper overall cost of living than Salem
Living costs sit below the national average (index 93.0)
Cons
Higher rents — median is $1,357/mo
Longer commutes — 28.5 min average each way
Salem, OR
Pros
Commutes run 6 min shorter each way
Rent averages $133/mo less ($1,224 vs $1,357)
Cooler summers — July highs near 84°F vs 96°F
Cons
Pricier housing — median home is $349,500
Violent crime (532.2/100k) is above the U.S. average of 380
Median income trails Rio Rancho by $11,438/yr
Property crime (2803.3/100k) runs high vs the U.S. average
Key Differences at a Glance
Rio Rancho
Cost of Living
9% cheaper
COL index 93.0 vs 102.4 (100 = US avg)
Rio Rancho
Median Income
$11,438
$78,978 vs $67,540/yr
Rio Rancho
Violent Crime
40% lower
318.2 vs 532.2 per 100k
Rio Rancho
Median Home Value
$103k less
$246,700 vs $349,500
Rio Rancho
Unemployment
0.6 pp lower
5.5% vs 6.1% unemployment
Rio Rancho
Summer Heat
12.0°F warmer
July avg high 95.5°F vs 83.5°F
Full Data Comparison
| Metric | Rio Rancho, NM | Salem, OR |
|---|---|---|
| 💰 Cost of Living | ||
| Cost of Living Index National avg = 100 · lower = cheaper | 93.0 ✓ Cheaper | 102.4⚠ High |
| Median Home Value | $246,700 ✓ Lower | $349,500⚠ High |
| Median Monthly Rent | $1,357⚠ High | $1,224 ✓ Lower |
| 📈 Income & Economy | ||
| Median Household Income | $78,978 ✓ Higher | $67,540 |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.5%⚠ High ✓ Lower | 6.1%⚠ High |
| Avg Commute Minutes each way | 28.5 min⚠ High | 22.7 min ✓ Shorter |
| Work From Home % | 12.1% | 12.3% ✓ Higher |
| 🔒 Safety | ||
| Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer · 60% violent / 40% property | 76 ✓ Safer | 137⚠ High |
| Violent Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 84 ✓ Safer | 140⚠ High |
| Property Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 64 ✓ Safer | 133⚠ High |
| 🎓 Education | ||
| School Quality 100 = national avg · grad rate, staffing & attainment | B+ (107) ✓ Better | C+ (89) |
| Student-Teacher Ratio Lower = smaller classes | 13.6:1 ✓ Smaller | 19.6:1 |
| Bachelor's Degree or Higher | 33.2% ✓ Higher | 31.0% |
| High School or Higher | 94.6% ✓ Higher | 88.5% |
| School District Name only — no quality rating available | SANDOVAL ACADEMY OF BILINGUAL EDUCATION | Salem-Keizer SD 24J |
| 🌤 Weather | ||
| Avg High — January | 49.9°F ✓ Warmer | 48.4°F |
| Avg High — July | 95.5°F ✓ Warmer | 83.5°F |
| Annual Precipitation | 10.3" ✓ Drier | 46.5" |
| Annual Snowfall | 9.3" | 1.1" ✓ Less |
| 👥 Demographics | ||
| Population | 104,351 | 175,754 ✓ Larger |
| Median Age | 39.0 ✓ Older | 35.9 |
| Homeownership Rate | 81.1% ✓ Higher | 54.9% |
| Under 18 | 24.2% ✓ More | 23.2% |
| Over 65 | 16.9% ✓ More | 15.3% |
Frequently Asked Questions
Rio Rancho's cost of living index is 93.0 vs Salem's 102.4 (US average = 100).
Rio Rancho is 9% less expensive overall.
Based on the 23 decided categories above, Rio Rancho leads 18 of 23 categories. Rio Rancho wins 18 and Salem wins 5. 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 Rio Rancho to Salem or relocating the other way, focus on the biggest gaps: housing ($246,700 vs $349,500 median home), income ($78,978 vs $67,540), safety, and schools — all covered in the full table above.
Rio Rancho, NM and Salem, OR are about 1,086 miles apart (straight-line distance). Driving distance will be longer depending on the route.