2026 Compare Cities Overview:
Rio Rancho, NM vs Portales, NM

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Highlights
Are people in Portales older or younger than people in Rio Rancho?
- The Median Age in Portales is 11.6 years younger than in Rio Rancho.

Are housing costs cheaper in Portales or Rio Rancho?
- Portales housing costs are 59.8% less expensive than Rio Rancho housing costs.

Which city has a longer commute, Portales or Rio Rancho?
- The average commute for residents of Portales is 11.6 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 Portales?
Portales, New Mexico is a small town located in Roosevelt County. It is known for its mild climate, friendly community and vibrant culture. Portales has two universities and several public schools, making it an ideal place to raise a family. Local amenities include various shopping options, restaurants and entertainment venues, as well as recreational activities such as the Portales Municipal Swimming Pool and Portales Golf Course. With its tranquil atmosphere and access to nearby cities such as Clovis and Alamogordo, Portales is a great place to call home.

 Rio Rancho, NMPortales, NMUnited States
 Population  Unlock12,151329,725,481
 Median Income$70,615  Unlock$69,021
 Median Age  Unlock27.138.4
 Avg. Home Price$310,800  Unlock$338,100
 Unemployment Rate  Unlock6.1%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 Portales    10 Reviews

In a single sentence, this is a town that is slowly dying in the desert- and nobody here cares. Why- because the people who run this town were born in the 1940's or  More

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Over 7 years ago

I love portales new.Mexico they have nice people I like boys cute boys that the high school  More

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If you like boring, low wages, and high unemployment for mediocre jobs, and ultra-conservatism then this is the place for you.  More

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