Head-to-Head · City Comparison
Rio Rancho, NM
VS
Suffolk, VA
🏆 Rio Rancho leads 21 of 23 categories
Rio Rancho
New Mexico
21
wins
Cost of Living Index
93.0 ✓ Cheaper
Median Household Income
$78,978
Violent Crime Index
84 ✓ Safer
Population
104,351 ✓ Larger
Suffolk
Virginia
2
wins
Cost of Living Index
97.4
Median Household Income
$87,758 ✓ Higher
Violent Crime Index
98
Population
94,856
Pros & Cons
Auto-generated from official data — head-to-head differences and gaps vs the national average.
Rio Rancho, NM
Pros
14% less violent crime than Suffolk
Homes cost $68k less ($246,700 vs $314,400)
Stronger job market — unemployment is 0.8 pts lower (5.5%)
Living costs sit below the national average (index 93.0)
4% cheaper overall cost of living than Suffolk
Cons
Median income trails Suffolk by $8,780/yr
Suffolk, VA
Pros
Households earn $8,780 more per year on average
Cooler summers — July highs near 87°F vs 96°F
Cons
Pricier housing — median home is $314,400
Higher unemployment (6.3% vs 5.5%)
Cost of living runs 4% higher than Rio Rancho
Key Differences at a Glance
Rio Rancho
Cost of Living
4% cheaper
COL index 93.0 vs 97.4 (100 = US avg)
Rio Rancho
Violent Crime
14% lower
318.2 vs 371.0 per 100k
Rio Rancho
Median Home Value
$68k less
$246,700 vs $314,400
Rio Rancho
Unemployment
0.8 pp lower
5.5% vs 6.3% unemployment
Rio Rancho
Summer Heat
8.7°F warmer
July avg high 95.5°F vs 86.8°F
Suffolk
Median Income
$8,780
$87,758 vs $78,978/yr
Full Data Comparison
| Metric | Rio Rancho, NM | Suffolk, VA |
|---|---|---|
| 💰 Cost of Living | ||
| Cost of Living Index National avg = 100 · lower = cheaper | 93.0 ✓ Cheaper | 97.4 |
| Median Home Value | $246,700 ✓ Lower | $314,400⚠ High |
| Median Monthly Rent | $1,357⚠ High ✓ Lower | $1,376⚠ High |
| 📈 Income & Economy | ||
| Median Household Income | $78,978 | $87,758 ✓ Higher |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.5%⚠ High ✓ Lower | 6.3%⚠ High |
| Avg Commute Minutes each way | 28.5 min⚠ High ✓ Shorter | 29.6 min⚠ High |
| Work From Home % | 12.1% ✓ Higher | 7.9% |
| 🔒 Safety | ||
| Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer · 60% violent / 40% property | 76 ✓ Safer | 89 |
| Violent Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 84 ✓ Safer | 98 |
| Property Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 64 ✓ Safer | 75 |
| 🎓 Education | ||
| School Quality 100 = national avg · grad rate, staffing & attainment | B+ (107) ✓ Better | B (99) |
| Student-Teacher Ratio Lower = smaller classes | 13.6:1 ✓ Smaller | 14.5:1 |
| Bachelor's Degree or Higher | 33.2% ✓ Higher | 32.1% |
| High School or Higher | 94.6% ✓ Higher | 91.2% |
| School District Name only — no quality rating available | SANDOVAL ACADEMY OF BILINGUAL EDUCATION | Suffolk City Public Schools |
| 🌤 Weather | ||
| Avg High — January | 49.9°F ✓ Warmer | 49.3°F |
| Avg High — July | 95.5°F ✓ Warmer | 86.8°F |
| Annual Precipitation | 10.3" ✓ Drier | 51.8" |
| Annual Snowfall | 9.3" | 5.8" ✓ Less |
| 👥 Demographics | ||
| Population | 104,351 ✓ Larger | 94,856 |
| Median Age | 39.0 ✓ Older | 38.5 |
| Homeownership Rate | 81.1% ✓ Higher | 70.4% |
| Under 18 | 24.2% ✓ More | 23.6% |
| Over 65 | 16.9% ✓ More | 14.8% |
Frequently Asked Questions
Rio Rancho's cost of living index is 93.0 vs Suffolk's 97.4 (US average = 100).
Rio Rancho is 4% less expensive overall.
Based on the 23 decided categories above, Rio Rancho leads 21 of 23 categories. Rio Rancho wins 21 and Suffolk wins 2. 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 Suffolk or relocating the other way, focus on the biggest gaps: housing ($246,700 vs $314,400 median home), income ($78,978 vs $87,758), safety, and schools — all covered in the full table above.
Rio Rancho, NM and Suffolk, VA are about 1,677 miles apart (straight-line distance). Driving distance will be longer depending on the route.