Cost of Living in Rio Rancho, NM
Updated November 2026 · Sandoval County · Albuquerque, NM metro area · population 108,515
Prices in Rio Rancho are 0.5% above the US average (local index 100.5; the BEA index for the Albuquerque, NM metro area is 95.5), with local housing the biggest cost driver at 114.1; a single adult's modelled budget is about $2,560 a month and the median rent is $1,514.
Prices by category
CostLiving local estimate. 100 = US average; 110 means prices are 10% higher. Housing reflects Rio Rancho's own median rent compared with the area's average rent; goods, utilities and other services are BEA's official price parities for the Albuquerque, NM metro area, unchanged.
Rio Rancho price index by category, US average = 100: All items 100.5, Housing (rents) 114.1, Goods 96.1, Utilities 77.9, Other services 98.5
Cheaper than 58% of the cities we cover.
| BEA index | 2019 | 2020 | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 | 2024 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| All items | 95.1 | 94.2 | 92.1 | 93.4 | 93.6 | 95.5 |
Monthly budget by household type
1 adult · 1-bedroom · modelled estimate for Rio Rancho, NM
| Category | Per month | Per year | Share |
|---|---|---|---|
| Housing (rent) | $976 | $11,712 | 38% |
| Utilities | $192 | $2,304 | 8% |
| Food at home | $271 | $3,252 | 11% |
| Transportation | $613 | $7,356 | 24% |
| Health care | $346 | $4,152 | 14% |
| Clothing, personal care & supplies | $162 | $1,944 | 6% |
| Total | $2,560 | $30,720 | 100% |
2 adults · 2-bedroom · modelled estimate for Rio Rancho, NM
| Category | Per month | Per year | Share |
|---|---|---|---|
| Housing (rent) | $1,132 | $13,584 | 28% |
| Utilities | $307 | $3,684 | 7% |
| Food at home | $501 | $6,012 | 12% |
| Transportation | $1,215 | $14,580 | 30% |
| Health care | $642 | $7,704 | 16% |
| Clothing, personal care & supplies | $319 | $3,828 | 8% |
| Total | $4,116 | $49,392 | 100% |
2 adults + 2 children · 3-bedroom · modelled estimate for Rio Rancho, NM
| Category | Per month | Per year | Share |
|---|---|---|---|
| Housing (rent) | $1,440 | $17,280 | 28% |
| Utilities | $373 | $4,476 | 7% |
| Food at home | $714 | $8,568 | 14% |
| Transportation | $1,612 | $19,344 | 31% |
| Health care | $598 | $7,176 | 12% |
| Clothing, personal care & supplies | $411 | $4,932 | 8% |
| Total | $5,148 | $61,776 | 100% |
Modelled estimate of basic costs, excluding taxes, child care and savings. Housing is rent excluding tenant-paid utilities (counted under utilities). See how the budget is calculated.
Housing costs in Rio Rancho
Rent by number of bedrooms
| Size | Median rent |
|---|---|
| Studio | $1,132 |
| 1 bedroom | $1,135 |
| 2 bedrooms | $1,316 |
| 3 bedrooms | $1,675 |
| 4 bedrooms | $1,926 |
Median rent: Census ACS 2020-2024 median gross rent by bedrooms (rent plus tenant-paid utilities, all renters).
Rent, home values and affordability
| Measure | Value |
|---|---|
| Median gross rent | $1,514 |
| Median contract rent (excl. utilities) | $1,302 |
| Median home value | $310,200 |
| Owner costs with a mortgage | $1,651/mo |
| Median household income | $89,596 |
| Rent as % of renter income Expensive | 31.0% |
| Home value ÷ household income Affordable | 3.5× |
Census ACS 5-year 2020-2024.
Electricity and gas prices
Residential electricity in New Mexico
16.51¢ per kWh, August 2026
12-month change: +3.4% (from 15.97¢) · US 18.16¢
Average household uses 653 kWh a month in New Mexico ≈ $100/month. Source: EIA-861M (statewide average).
Regular gasoline regional figure: Gulf Coast (PADD 3)
$3.64 per gallon, week of 2026-11-02
12-month change: +44.8% (from $2.51) · US $4.15
EIA weekly retail price survey; New Mexico is covered by the Gulf Coast (PADD 3) average.
Inflation in the West
Consumer prices in the West Census region rose +3.4% in the 12 months to September 2026 (US +3.7%). Nationally, food at home changed +1.8%, shelter +3.2% and energy +20.4%. Source: BLS CPI-U, not seasonally adjusted. CPI is published for regions and large metro areas, so the regional figure is shown.
Salary equivalent
Because prices in Rio Rancho are 0.5% above the US average, $60,000 here has the buying power of about $59,700 in an average-priced US area.
Formula: US-equivalent = salary × 100 ÷ 100.5. Based on the local cost index (CostLiving estimate from BEA RPP and Census rents); taxes not included.
Nearby cities
| City | Distance | Index | Budget (single) | Median rent |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Albuquerque, NM | 13 mi | 95.4 | $2,385 | $1,145 |
| Santa Fe, NM | 48 mi | 99.5 | $2,678 | $1,463 |
Cities with a similar cost of living
| City | Index | Budget (single) | Median rent |
|---|---|---|---|
| Murray, UT | 100.5 | $2,859 | $1,500 |
| Palm Bay, FL | 100.5 | $2,787 | $1,601 |
| Port Orange, FL | 100.4 | $2,874 | $1,634 |
| Madera, CA | 100.5 | $2,611 | $1,353 |
| Bethlehem, PA | 100.4 | $2,703 | $1,382 |
| West Valley City, UT | 100.6 | $2,733 | $1,504 |
Compare Rio Rancho with another city
Frequently asked questions
Is Rio Rancho, NM an expensive place to live?
Rio Rancho has a local cost of living index of 100.5, which is 0.5% above the US average. This CostLiving estimate starts from the BEA Regional Price Parities 2024 for the Albuquerque, NM metro area (95.5) and adjusts housing to Rio Rancho's own rents. It is 8.3 points above the New Mexico average. Cheaper than 58% of the cities we cover.
How much money do you need to live in Rio Rancho?
Our modelled estimate of basic monthly costs is $2,560 for a single adult, $4,116 for a couple and $5,148 for a family of four, before taxes, child care and savings. A $60,000 salary in an average-priced US area buys about the same as $60,300 in Rio Rancho.
What is the average rent in Rio Rancho?
The median gross rent (rent plus tenant-paid utilities) is $1,514 a month (Census ACS 2020-2024). By size: 1 bedroom $1,135, 2 bedrooms $1,316, 3 bedrooms $1,675. The typical renter spends 31.0% of household income on rent (expensive).
How much does a house cost in Rio Rancho?
The median owner-estimated home value is $310,200, 3.5 times the median household income of $89,596 (affordable). Owners with a mortgage pay a median $1,651 a month in housing costs.
How much is electricity and gas in Rio Rancho?
New Mexico residential electricity averaged 16.51¢ per kWh in August 2026 (US 18.16¢). Regular gasoline was $3.64 a gallon (Gulf Coast (PADD 3) average, week of 2026-11-02).
Sources and notes
- Local cost index: CostLiving estimate from BEA Regional Price Parities 2024 for the Albuquerque, NM metropolitan statistical area (BEA index 95.5) with housing from Census ACS median rent (city figure); see the methodology.
- Rents, home values, income, population: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year 2020-2024, Census place 3563460 (Rio Rancho city).
- Electricity: EIA-861M, New Mexico residential average, August 2026.
- Gasoline: EIA weekly retail regular gasoline, Gulf Coast (PADD 3), week of 2026-11-02.
- Inflation: BLS CPI-U West region, September 2026.
- Budget baselines: BLS Consumer Expenditure Survey 2025; electricity use by household size: EIA RECS 2020.
- Gasoline price: regional figure (EIA publishes weekly prices for only 9 states).
Labels such as “county figure” or “state nonmetro figure” mark values that come from a larger area because the city-level figure is unavailable or unreliable. The monthly budget is a modelled estimate, not observed spending, and excludes taxes. This page is for general information and is not financial advice. Methodology · All sources