Signals
Los Alamos
Rio Rancho
Opportunity
44 · Bottom 25%
vs39 · Bottom 16%
Climate
47 · Bottom 1%
vs71 · Top 45%
Physical resilience
73 · Top 33%
vs64 · Top 44%
Housing affordability
94 · Top 23%
vs90 · Top 32%
Access
91 · Bottom 48%
vs93 · Top 45%
Economic stability
79 · Top 9%
vs65 · Top 41%
Measured values
| Metric | Los Alamos | Rio Rancho | Source period |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 13,317 | 108,515 | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Median household income | $141,018 | $89,596 | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Per capita income | $76,146 | $41,278 | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Population density | 1,199/sq mi | 1,050/sq mi | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Median home value | $501,800 | $310,200 | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Median gross rent | $1,359 | $1,514 | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Homeownership rate | 66.5% | 82.2% | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Unemployment rate | 5.0% | 4.9% | June 2026 |
| Employment change (year over year) | -3.5% | -3.5% | June 2026 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 69.8% | 34.0% | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Poverty rate | 4.1% | 7.4% | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Average July high | 74°F | 91°F | 1991-2020 Normals |
| Average January low | 9°F | 26°F | 1991-2020 Normals |
| Annual precipitation | 25.5" | 8.8" | 1991-2020 Normals |
| Distance to major airport | 22 mi | 18 mi | NASR current cycle |
| Average commute | 14.2 min | 32.1 min | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Median age | 38.8 | 39.5 | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Public schools | 5 | 11 | 2024-25 school year |
| Students per teacher | 12.62 | 18.29 | 2024-25 school year |
| Free or reduced-price lunch eligibility | 12.6% | 91.6% | 2024-25 school year |
A bolded value is the more favorable of the two where the metric has a clear direction. Metrics like population and density have no inherent better or worse and are shown unweighted.
Physical risk tradeoff
Los Alamos
Elevated or high exposure: wildfire, earthquake.
Rio Rancho
Elevated or high exposure: wildfire, earthquake.
Your best match
Weight what matters to you. Your preferences stay in this browser and never change either Area Score.
Los Alamos
71
Your Score
—
Area Score
Rio Rancho
68
Your Score
63
Area Score
Select your priorities to see which of the two fits them better.
Full profiles: Los Alamos, NM · Rio Rancho, NM · How this is calculated: methodology