Head-to-Head · City Comparison
Rio Rancho, NM
VS
Toms River, NJ
🏆 Rio Rancho leads 15 of 22 categories
Rio Rancho
New Mexico
15
wins
Cost of Living Index
93.0 ✓ Cheaper
Median Household Income
$78,978
Violent Crime Index
84
Population
104,351 ✓ Larger
Toms River
New Jersey
7
wins
Cost of Living Index
112.5⚠ High
Median Household Income
$92,012 ✓ Higher
Violent Crime Index
35 ✓ Safer
Population
92,827
Pros & Cons
Auto-generated from official data — head-to-head differences and gaps vs the national average.
Rio Rancho, NM
Pros
Homes cost $109k less ($246,700 vs $356,100)
20% cheaper overall cost of living than Toms River
Rent averages $235/mo less ($1,357 vs $1,592)
Living costs sit below the national average (index 93.0)
Milder winters — January highs near 50°F vs 42°F
Cons
Median income trails Toms River by $13,034/yr
Toms River, NJ
Pros
58% less violent crime than Rio Rancho
Violent crime is well below the national average (134.3 vs 380/100k)
Households earn $13,034 more per year on average
Cooler summers — July highs near 86°F vs 96°F
Cons
Pricier housing — median home is $356,100
Cost of living runs 20% higher than Rio Rancho
Higher rents — median is $1,592/mo
Living costs are well above the U.S. average (index 112.5)
Key Differences at a Glance
Rio Rancho
Cost of Living
20% cheaper
COL index 93.0 vs 112.5 (100 = US avg)
Rio Rancho
Median Home Value
$109k less
$246,700 vs $356,100
Rio Rancho
Summer Heat
10.0°F warmer
July avg high 95.5°F vs 85.5°F
Toms River
Median Income
$13,034
$92,012 vs $78,978/yr
Toms River
Violent Crime
58% lower
134.3 vs 318.2 per 100k
Full Data Comparison
| Metric | Rio Rancho, NM | Toms River, NJ |
|---|---|---|
| 💰 Cost of Living | ||
| Cost of Living Index National avg = 100 · lower = cheaper | 93.0 ✓ Cheaper | 112.5⚠ High |
| Median Home Value | $246,700 ✓ Lower | $356,100⚠ High |
| Median Monthly Rent | $1,357⚠ High ✓ Lower | $1,592⚠ High |
| 📈 Income & Economy | ||
| Median Household Income | $78,978 | $92,012 ✓ Higher |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.5%⚠ High ✓ Lower | 5.7%⚠ High |
| Avg Commute Minutes each way | 28.5 min⚠ High ✓ Shorter | 30.9 min⚠ High |
| Work From Home % | 12.1% ✓ Higher | 11.3% |
| 🔒 Safety | ||
| Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer · 60% violent / 40% property | 76 | 43 ✓ Safer |
| Violent Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 84 | 35 ✓ Safer |
| Property Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 64 | 53 ✓ Safer |
| 🎓 Education | ||
| School Quality 100 = national avg · grad rate, staffing & attainment | B+ (107) | B+ (107) |
| Student-Teacher Ratio Lower = smaller classes | 13.6:1 ✓ Smaller | 13.8:1 |
| Bachelor's Degree or Higher | 33.2% | 34.4% ✓ Higher |
| High School or Higher | 94.6% ✓ Higher | 93.4% |
| School District Name only — no quality rating available | SANDOVAL ACADEMY OF BILINGUAL EDUCATION | Toms River Regional School District |
| 🌤 Weather | ||
| Avg High — January | 49.9°F ✓ Warmer | 41.6°F |
| Avg High — July | 95.5°F ✓ Warmer | 85.5°F |
| Annual Precipitation | 10.3" ✓ Drier | 52.0" |
| Annual Snowfall | 9.3" ✓ Less | 23.7" |
| 👥 Demographics | ||
| Population | 104,351 ✓ Larger | 92,827 |
| Median Age | 39.0 | 42.3 ✓ Older |
| Homeownership Rate | 81.1% ✓ Higher | 80.6% |
| Under 18 | 24.2% ✓ More | 21.5% |
| Over 65 | 16.9% | 18.7% ✓ More |
Frequently Asked Questions
Rio Rancho's cost of living index is 93.0 vs Toms River's 112.5 (US average = 100).
Rio Rancho is 20% less expensive overall.
Based on the 22 decided categories above, Rio Rancho leads 15 of 22 categories. Rio Rancho wins 15 and Toms River wins 7. 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 Toms River or relocating the other way, focus on the biggest gaps: housing ($246,700 vs $356,100 median home), income ($78,978 vs $92,012), safety, and schools — all covered in the full table above.
Rio Rancho, NM and Toms River, NJ are about 1,798 miles apart (straight-line distance). Driving distance will be longer depending on the route.