Rows tagged local are specific to Rio Rancho (Census ACS); state rows are state averages; metro-area rows are inherited from Albuquerque, NM. Home value is ACS owner-reported (not a Zillow sale price).
Cost of living
Metric
Value
Scope
US rank
Cost-of-living index (US=100)
93.6
metro-area
#0 of 200
Grocery index (US=100)
97.4
metro-area
#0 of 200
Big Mac price (est.)
$5.33
metro-area
#0 of 200
Median household income
$78,978
local
#0 of 200
Median wage (all occupations)
$42,690
local
#0 of 200
Economy
Metric
Value
Scope
US rank
Unemployment rate
5.49%
local
#0 of 200
Population growth (5-yr)
+11.8%
local
#0 of 200
Housing — what your money buys
Metric
Value
Scope
US rank
Median home price
$246,700
local
#0 of 200
Home price ÷ income (affordability)
3.1×
local
#0 of 200
1-yr home appreciation
+1.0%
metro-area
#0 of 200
Price per square foot
$133
local
#0 of 200
Typical home size (implied)
1,849 sqft
Median rent (monthly)
$1,357
local
#0 of 200
Homes for sale (inventory)
2,589
Median days on market
11
metro-area
#0 of 200
Taxes
Metric
Value
Scope
US rank
Total tax burden (est. % of income)
10.2%
state
#0 of 200
Combined sales tax
7.78%
state
#0 of 200
State income tax (top rate)
5.90%
Capital gains tax
5.90%
state
#0 of 200
High earners
No special surtax
Effective property tax rate
0.81%
local
#0 of 200
Median property tax paid
$2,005
local
#0 of 200
Healthcare & childcare
Metric
Value
Scope
US rank
Healthcare (annual, single adult)
$6,400
state
#0 of 200
Childcare (annual, infant, center)
$10,000
state
#0 of 200
Vehicles & commute
Metric
Value
Scope
US rank
Annual registration
$60
state
#0 of 200
Vehicle property tax (annual)
None
state
#0 of 200
Emissions testing
Required
Emissions detail
Required in major metro counties
DMV & license offices
23
Avg commute to work
29 min
local
#0 of 200
Utilities & fuel
Metric
Value
Scope
US rank
Electricity
15.2¢/kWh
state
#0 of 200
Avg monthly electric bill
$136
state
#0 of 200
Gasoline
$3.20/gal
state
#0 of 200
Natural gas (avg monthly bill)
$50
state
#0 of 200
Water & sewer (avg monthly bill)
$58
state
#0 of 200
Home internet (avg monthly bill)
$74
state
#0 of 200
Insurance
Metric
Value
Scope
US rank
Home insurance (annual)
$1,900
state
#0 of 200
Auto insurance (annual)
$1,600
state
#0 of 200
Disaster risk & supplemental insurance
Metric
Value
Scope
US rank
Main natural hazards
Notable hazards: wildfire — separate flood/quake/windstorm policies may be needed.
Flood insurance (annual, NFIP)
$550
state
#0 of 200
Earthquake insurance (annual)
$100
state
#0 of 200
Climate & air quality
Metric
Value
Scope
US rank
Air quality (median AQI, lower=cleaner)
61
metro-area
#0 of 200
Cooling degree-days (AC load)
1,500
metro-area
#0 of 200
Heating degree-days (heat load)
4,200
metro-area
#0 of 200
Avg summer high
92°F
metro-area
#0 of 200
Avg winter low
25°F
metro-area
#0 of 200
Annual precipitation
9.4"
metro-area
#0 of 200
Annual snowfall
10.0"
metro-area
#0 of 200
Sunshine (% of possible)
71%
metro-area
#0 of 200
Plant hardiness zone
7a
Frost window
04-10 → 11-01
Safety
Metric
Value
Scope
US rank
Violent crime (per 100k, state avg)
780
state
#0 of 200
Property crime (per 100k, state avg)
3,400
state
#0 of 200
Local amenities & recreation
Metric
Value
Scope
US rank
Grocery stores
30
metro-area
#0 of 200
Parks
43
Hiking areas
24
Golf courses
21
Shooting ranges
14
Lakes
18
Permits
Metric
Value
Scope
US rank
Building permit difficulty (1–5)
3
state
#0 of 200
Permit detail
Moderate
US rank = this metro's position among all 200 metros (1 = best: cheapest / safest / highest income, etc.). Childcare is a family cost, not included in the salary-equivalence total.