San Mateo vs Rio Rancho: Cost of Living (2026)
A side-by-side comparison of San Mateo, CA and Rio Rancho, NM, using US Census Bureau data.
| Metric | San Mateo, CA | Rio Rancho, NM |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 104,165 | 104,351 |
| Median household income | $149,152 | $78,978 |
| Median home value | $1,508,900 | $246,700 |
| Median rent (/mo) | $2,971 | $1,357 |
Source: US Census Bureau ACS 5-Year (2022). Highlighted cell = more affordable / higher income.
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compare-top (set NEXT_PUBLIC_ADSENSE_CLIENT to serve real ads)Comparing San Mateo, CA and Rio Rancho, NM comes down to what you value most. Rio Rancho has the lower median home value, and Rio Rancho has the lower median rent.
San Mateo has the higher median household income, which affects how far a paycheck stretches against local housing costs. The table below breaks down the key numbers side by side, all sourced from the US Census Bureau.
Frequently asked questions
- Is it cheaper to live in San Mateo or Rio Rancho?
- By median home value, Rio Rancho is the cheaper of the two ($246,700 vs $1,508,900). Rent and income differ too — see the full comparison above.
- Which has higher salaries, San Mateo or Rio Rancho?
- Median household income is $149,152 in San Mateo versus $78,978 in Rio Rancho, per the US Census Bureau.