2026 Compare Cities Overview:
Fort Walton Beach, FL vs Rio Rancho, NM

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Highlights
Are people in Rio Rancho older or younger than people in Fort Walton Beach?
- The Median Age in Rio Rancho is 0.8 years younger than in Fort Walton Beach.

Are housing costs cheaper in Rio Rancho or Fort Walton Beach?
- Rio Rancho housing costs are 3.5% less expensive than Fort Walton Beach housing costs.

Which city has a longer commute, Rio Rancho or Fort Walton Beach?
- The average commute for residents of Rio Rancho is 9.3 minutes longer than it is for residents of Fort Walton Beach.

Things to do in Fort Walton Beach?
Fort Walton Beach is a city in Florida that is known for its beautiful beaches and amazing weather. The local attractions include the Gulfarium Marine Adventure Park, the Indian Temple Mound Museum, and the Air Force Armament Museum. There are also many great restaurants, shops, and activities to enjoy.The area offers wonderful outdoor activities, such as fishing, boating, swimming, and beachcombing. Fort Walton Beach boasts a vibrant nightlife with live music, dance clubs, and bars.

Things to do in Rio Rancho?
Rio Rancho is a wonderful city located in New Mexico. It's known for its vast open spaces, exciting culture, and vibrant nightlife. Visitors can explore the local area by taking advantage of outdoor activities like visiting Old San Ysidro Church or playing a game of disc golf at the Riverwalk Disc Golf Park. Culture buffs can visit places like the New Mexico Museum of Natural History & Science and Petroglyph National Monument to gain insight into local culture. After exploring, sample delicious food from restaurants like Rio Rancho Pizzeria or Ichiban Japanese Cuisine & Sushi Bar. With so much to offer, Rio Rancho is an amazing place to visit for an unforgettable experience!

 Fort Walton Beach, FLRio Rancho, NMUnited States
 Population  Unlock102,403329,725,481
 Median Income$55,623  Unlock$69,021
 Median Age  Unlock38.738.4
 Avg. Home Price$322,200  Unlock$338,100
 Unemployment Rate  Unlock7.6%6.0%
 Avg. Commute Time19.13  Unlock26.38
Reviews for Fort Walton Beach    10 Reviews

Over 4 years ago

Ive lived in Fort Walton for atleast 15yrs.Ive seen the good days(early to late 200's)and now the bad.If you move here,youd better make atleast $10,000 a month.These  More

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I would like to know if Fort Walton Beach is a better place to live rather than busy Clearwater FL. We want to re-locate to a quieter city with all the amenities of a  More

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FWB is great for its beautiful beaches and saltwater fishing. It's also easy to move around town except during rush hour (yes, we have a rush hour - but it literally  More

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Reviews for Rio Rancho    21 Reviews

I have lived in the area for the past three years with my husband. Although vastly better than Albuquerque, this is not a safe area. We have had overt and petty crime on  More

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The pros: -Fairly good year-round weather. Sunny days outnumber cloudy days, there are days when the temps fall below freezing and the sun will still be shining. It's  More

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Over 6 years ago

Affordable housing, low crime (compared to Albuquerque), awesome weather with all 4 seasons, beautiful environment and some pretty awesome people. I love Rio Rancho,  More

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