2025 Compare Cities Cost of Living:
Rio Rancho, NM vs Carlsbad, NM

Change Cities
Highlights
Is it cheaper to live in Carlsbad or is it cheaper to live in Rio Rancho?
- Carlsbad is 17.9% less expensive than Rio Rancho.

Which city has more affordable housing, Carlsbad or Rio Rancho?
- Carlsbad housing costs are 41.8% less expensive than Rio Rancho housing costs.

Is Health Care more affordable in Rio Rancho or is Health Care more affordable in Carlsbad.
- Health related expenses are 7.5% more in Carlsbad.
 Rio Rancho, NMCarlsbad, NMUnited States
 Overall  Unlock77.9100
 Food & Groceries95.4  Unlock100
 Health  Unlock86.1100
 Housing87.1  Unlock100
 Median Home Cost  Unlock$183,800$338,100
 Utilities100  Unlock100
 Transportation  Unlock69.9100
 Miscellaneous106.3  Unlock100
100 = National Average (Below 100 means cheaper than the US average. Above 100 means more expensive.)
DID YOU KNOW?

In order to keep your same standard of living your salary can vary greatly - whether you buy or rent, require child care, or want to include taxes. This is why we are now offering a Premium Salary & Cost of Living Calculator.

Our Premium Calculator Includes:
- Compare Cities cost of living across 9 different categories
- Personal salary calculations can optionally include Home ownership or rental, Child care, and Taxes (with details on state and local sales, income, property and automobile taxes)
- Includes the cost of Child Care for toddlers or infants, at a day care center or home care
- Grocery prices, detailed for 29 staple items in six categories
- Difference in cost of Utilities, including electric, gas and fuel oil
- Health Care Premiums and hospital expenses for major surgeries
- Taxes, Fees and Expenses you should know about, such as local car insurance rates, automobile taxes and registration, commuting costs.
- and 100s of other items you should consider before you relocate

Upgrade to Premium | See Example

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

   |    Reply

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

   |    Reply

Over 5 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

   |    Reply

Start Your Review of Rio Rancho

Reviews for Carlsbad    16 Reviews

I've only been here for a few months, but I can quickly sum up this town as a rundown truck stop, perpetually buffeted by relentless wind, dirt, and hot air. The gas  More

   |    Reply

Over 3 years ago

We used to visit here every few years from Michigan just to see the Living Desert State Park. A very long way to drive to spend a a couple of days in this hauntingly  More

   |    Reply

Been here 9 years. Very difficult place. Price gouging, extremely expensive to live here. Crazy amounts of crime, cops do nothing. Very crowded, bad traffic and crazy  More

   |    Reply

Start Your Review of Carlsbad


Premium Subscription
Includes Cost of Living compares for child care, utilities, transportation, health, taxes, housing for home owners vs renters, weather, insurance premiums and so much more.


The premier source for comprehensive city data for over 30 years.

© Best Places. All rights reserved.