Median rent is 21% lower in Rio Rancho ($1,481/mo vs $1,879/mo). Buying is cheaper in Rio Rancho, where the median home runs $273,300 versus $879,500. Households earn more in Rio Rancho ($85,755 vs $80,366 a year).
City A
Los Angeles, CA
City B
Rio Rancho, NM
How much would you need to earn in Rio Rancho, NM to maintain your standard of living from Los Angeles, CA?
A cost-of-living index isn't available for one of these cities yet, so we can't compute an equivalent salary.
Based on BEA Regional Price Parity (cost index) for each city's metro area. A rough estimate of overall purchasing power, not tax or take-home pay.
Metric
Los Angeles
California
Rio Rancho
New Mexico
👥Population
💰Median Household Income
Annual
🏠Median Gross Rent
Per month
🏡Median Home Value
📊Cost of Living Index
US avg = 100
🔑1BR Fair Market Rent
HUD FMR
🔑2BR Fair Market Rent
HUD FMR
🔑3BR Fair Market Rent
HUD FMR
🌬️Air Quality Index
Lower = cleaner
🏛️Top State Income Tax
Top marginal rate
🧾State Sales Tax
Statewide base rate
🎂Median Age
Years
✓ = better value · Sources: US Census ACS, BEA RPP, HUD FMR, EPA AirNow, Tax Foundation
Renters will find significantly cheaper housing in Rio Rancho — median rent of $1,481/mo versus $1,879/mo in Los Angeles, a 21% difference. Home buyers face a steeper market in Los Angeles: the median home is $879,500 versus $273,300 in Rio Rancho — 69% more expensive.
1BR Fair Market Rent
2BR Fair Market Rent
BLS OEWS 2023 — metro-level data
California's top income tax rate is 13.30% versus 5.90% in New Mexico, so Rio Rancho is more tax-friendly for high earners. Sales tax is 7.25% in California and 4.88% in New Mexico; Rio Rancho has the lower rate (local add-ons may apply in both).
Los Angeles
Income tax: 13.30%
Sales tax: 7.25%
Rio Rancho
Income tax: 5.90%
Sales tax: 4.88%
Air quality data is available for Los Angeles (avg AQI 77.0) but not yet for Rio Rancho.
Pick Rio Rancho if you prioritize higher median household income ($85,755/yr).
Pick Rio Rancho if you prioritize cheaper rent ($1,481/mo median).
Pick Rio Rancho if you prioritize lower state income tax (5.90%).
Is Los Angeles cheaper than Rio Rancho?
Cost of living index data is not yet available for one or both cities.
How much is rent in Los Angeles vs Rio Rancho?
Median rent is $1,879/mo in Los Angeles, CA and $1,481/mo in Rio Rancho, NM. Rio Rancho, NM has the lower rent by about 21%.
Which has higher salaries — Los Angeles or Rio Rancho?
Median household income is $80,366 in Los Angeles, CA and $85,755 in Rio Rancho, NM. Rio Rancho, NM has the higher median income. Note that BLS occupational wages in the table above show wages for specific jobs.
Which city has better air quality?
Air quality data is not yet available for one or both cities.
Which has lower taxes — Los Angeles or Rio Rancho?
California's top income tax rate is 13.30% and New Mexico's is 5.90%. Rio Rancho, NM has the lower rate.
What salary do I need in Rio Rancho to match my Los Angeles income?
RPP data needed for salary equivalence calculation is not yet available.
Data last updated: December 1, 2024 · Sources: US Census ACS, BEA RPP, BLS OEWS, HUD FMR, EPA AirNow, Tax Foundation · Methodology