2026 Compare Cities Overview:
Rio Rancho, NM vs Bakersfield, CA

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Highlights
Are people in Bakersfield older or younger than people in Rio Rancho?
- The Median Age in Bakersfield is 7.4 years younger than in Rio Rancho.

Are housing costs cheaper in Bakersfield or Rio Rancho?
- Bakersfield housing costs are 12.4% more expensive than Rio Rancho housing costs.

Which city has a longer commute, Bakersfield or Rio Rancho?
- The average commute for residents of Bakersfield is 5.7 minutes shorter than it is for residents of Rio Rancho.

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!

Things to do in Bakersfield?
Bakersfield, California is an enchanting city with plenty of attractions to explore. Visitors can take in the local culture and flavor at the Kern County Fairgrounds or explore the scenic trails and gardens of Enchanted Forest Park. History buffs will enjoy visiting the Kern County Museum, while art lovers can explore galleries and theatres throughout the city. Outdoor enthusiasts can kayak down aqueducts or learn about natural wonders on a boat ride. With its warm climate, unique history and plenty of activities for all ages, Bakersfield promises to provide any visitor with an unforgettable experience.

 Rio Rancho, NMBakersfield, CAUnited States
 Population  Unlock398,756329,725,481
 Median Income$70,615  Unlock$69,021
 Median Age  Unlock31.338.4
 Avg. Home Price$310,800  Unlock$338,100
 Unemployment Rate  Unlock8.0%6.0%
 Avg. Commute Time28.38  Unlock26.38
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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Reviews for Bakersfield    75 Reviews

I am a millennial, born and raised here. As someone who wrestled with staying for years, there are a lot of valid reasons to not come to Bakersfield. Air quality, summer  More

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Over 5 years ago

I have lived here all of my life. 40+ years. It used to be fun and kinda safe but now it is so scary to go outside. We are literally a homeless dumping ground and there  More

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I moved here from Seattle 25 years ago, when it had a population of 200,000, and practically the only place to get coffee was a place called “Duke’s Ranch”. Why did I  More

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