Head-to-Head · City Comparison
Rio Rancho, NM
VS
Topeka, KS
🏆 Rio Rancho leads 15 of 23 categories
Rio Rancho
New Mexico
15
wins
Cost of Living Index
93.0
Median Household Income
$78,978 ✓ Higher
Violent Crime Index
84 ✓ Safer
Population
104,351
Topeka
Kansas
8
wins
Cost of Living Index
85.9 ✓ Cheaper
Median Household Income
$54,052
Violent Crime Index
225⚠ High
Population
126,431 ✓ Larger
Pros & Cons
Auto-generated from official data — head-to-head differences and gaps vs the national average.
Rio Rancho, NM
Pros
63% less violent crime than Topeka
Households earn $24,926 more per year on average
Living costs sit below the national average (index 93.0)
More college-educated — 33.2% hold a bachelor's or higher
Milder winters — January highs near 50°F vs 40°F
Cons
Higher rents — median is $1,357/mo
Longer commutes — 28.5 min average each way
Cost of living runs 7% higher than Topeka
Topeka, KS
Pros
Homes cost $122k less ($124,700 vs $246,700)
Rent averages $431/mo less ($926 vs $1,357)
Commutes run 11 min shorter each way
Stronger job market — unemployment is 0.5 pts lower (5.0%)
Living costs sit below the national average (index 85.9)
7% cheaper overall cost of living than Rio Rancho
Cons
Median income trails Rio Rancho by $24,926/yr
Violent crime (856.5/100k) is above the U.S. average of 380
Property crime (3642.7/100k) runs high vs the U.S. average
Key Differences at a Glance
Rio Rancho
Median Income
$24,926
$78,978 vs $54,052/yr
Rio Rancho
Violent Crime
63% lower
318.2 vs 856.5 per 100k
Rio Rancho
Summer Heat
7.0°F warmer
July avg high 95.5°F vs 88.5°F
Topeka
Cost of Living
7% cheaper
COL index 85.9 vs 93.0 (100 = US avg)
Topeka
Median Home Value
$122k less
$124,700 vs $246,700
Topeka
Unemployment
0.5 pp lower
5.0% vs 5.5% unemployment
Full Data Comparison
| Metric | Rio Rancho, NM | Topeka, KS |
|---|---|---|
| 💰 Cost of Living | ||
| Cost of Living Index National avg = 100 · lower = cheaper | 93.0 | 85.9 ✓ Cheaper |
| Median Home Value | $246,700 | $124,700 ✓ Lower |
| Median Monthly Rent | $1,357⚠ High | $926 ✓ Lower |
| 📈 Income & Economy | ||
| Median Household Income | $78,978 ✓ Higher | $54,052 |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.5%⚠ High | 5.0%⚠ High ✓ Lower |
| Avg Commute Minutes each way | 28.5 min⚠ High | 17.1 min ✓ Shorter |
| Work From Home % | 12.1% ✓ Higher | 8.7% |
| 🔒 Safety | ||
| Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer · 60% violent / 40% property | 76 ✓ Safer | 205⚠ High |
| Violent Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 84 ✓ Safer | 225⚠ High |
| Property Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 64 ✓ Safer | 173⚠ High |
| 🎓 Education | ||
| School Quality 100 = national avg · grad rate, staffing & attainment | B+ (107) ✓ Better | B (102) |
| Student-Teacher Ratio Lower = smaller classes | 13.6:1 | 12.3:1 ✓ Smaller |
| Bachelor's Degree or Higher | 33.2% ✓ Higher | 28.5% |
| High School or Higher | 94.6% ✓ Higher | 91.0% |
| School District Name only — no quality rating available | SANDOVAL ACADEMY OF BILINGUAL EDUCATION | Topeka Public Schools |
| 🌤 Weather | ||
| Avg High — January | 49.9°F ✓ Warmer | 39.9°F |
| Avg High — July | 95.5°F ✓ Warmer | 88.5°F |
| Annual Precipitation | 10.3" ✓ Drier | 37.9" |
| Annual Snowfall | 9.3" ✓ Less | 17.1" |
| 👥 Demographics | ||
| Population | 104,351 | 126,431 ✓ Larger |
| Median Age | 39.0 ✓ Older | 37.9 |
| Homeownership Rate | 81.1% ✓ Higher | 59.0% |
| Under 18 | 24.2% ✓ More | 22.4% |
| Over 65 | 16.9% | 18.0% ✓ More |
Frequently Asked Questions
Rio Rancho's cost of living index is 93.0 vs Topeka's 85.9 (US average = 100).
Topeka is 7% less expensive overall.
Based on the 23 decided categories above, Rio Rancho leads 15 of 23 categories. Rio Rancho wins 15 and Topeka wins 8. 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 Topeka or relocating the other way, focus on the biggest gaps: housing ($246,700 vs $124,700 median home), income ($78,978 vs $54,052), safety, and schools — all covered in the full table above.
Rio Rancho, NM and Topeka, KS are about 658 miles apart (straight-line distance). Driving distance will be longer depending on the route.