City Comparison
Rio Rancho vs Lovington
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Rio Rancho scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Rio Rancho
Lovington
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Lovington is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
14% lower than in Rio Rancho.
Housing costs are a major driver: Rio Rancho's average rent is
26% higher than Lovington's.
| Metric | Rio Rancho | Lovington | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $1,450 | $1,150 | +26% |
| Groceries | $400 | $380 | +5% |
| Utilities | $180 | $175 | +3% |
| Transport | $130 | $110 | +18% |
| Healthcare | $220 | $230 | -4% |
| Monthly Total | $2,380 | $2,045 | +16% |
| Cost Index | 98 | 88 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Rio Rancho offers 12% higher average salaries.
However, when adjusted for local cost of living, Rio Rancho delivers stronger purchasing power —
meaning your dollar stretches further day-to-day.
The minimum comfortable salary in Rio Rancho is estimated at
$52,000 vs $45,000 in Lovington.
| Metric | Rio Rancho | Lovington |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $65,000 | $58,000 |
| Salary Needed | $52,000 | $45,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 66,327 idx | 65,909 idx |
| Household Income | $74,000 | $54,500 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Lovington runs warmer on average — a 5°F difference year-round.
Winter severity differs too — Rio Rancho sees 6.5 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | Rio Rancho | Lovington |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 59.70°F | 64.70°F |
| Summer High | 91.40°F | 91.40°F |
| Winter Low | 30.80°F | 33.70°F |
| Rainfall | 12.10 in | 8.10 in |
| Snowfall | 7.40 in | 0.90 in |
| Sunny Days | 318 | 321 |
| Humidity | 35.00% | 42.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Lovington has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
4,000 minutes (67 hours) per year compared to Rio Rancho.
Lovington scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
For walkability, Lovington leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Rio Rancho | Lovington |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 26 min | 18 min |
| Transit Score | 22.0/100 | 30.0/100 |
| Walkability | 28.0/100 | 45.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 42.00 | 25.00 |
| Car Dependency | High | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Rio Rancho is the larger city
— approximately 9x the population of Lovington.
From a growth perspective, Rio Rancho is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services.
On the employment side, Rio Rancho has a lower unemployment rate, reflecting a tighter and more competitive job market.
| Metric | Rio Rancho | Lovington |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 105,500 | 11,682 |
| Pop. Growth | 1.80% | 0.50% |
| Median Age | 39.0 | 33.5 |
| Unemployment | 4.20% | 4.50% |
| GDP | — | — |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Rio Rancho
Advantages
Median home prices and overall cost of living remain below the national U.S. average per recent Census and Zillow data.
Consistently lower violent and property crime rates compared to neighboring Albuquerque.
Abundant sunshine averaging over 318 sunny days per year supporting an active outdoor lifestyle.
Proximity to major medical providers like Presbyterian Rust Medical Center and UNM Sandoval Regional Medical Center.
Family-oriented community design featuring extensive parks, open spaces, and modern suburban amenities.
Drawbacks
High car dependency with limited public transportation options requiring personal vehicle ownership.
Hot summer temperatures exceeding 90°F regularly during peak months.
Limited nightlife and entertainment options within city limits, often requiring travel to Albuquerque.
Arid climate and low annual rainfall present ongoing landscaping and water conservation challenges.
Commuter traffic bottlenecks on key arterial roadways like NM-528 during peak morning and evening hours.
Lovington
Advantages
Median home prices and overall cost of living remain significantly below the U.S. national average per Census and Zillow data.
Robust employment opportunities tied to the lucrative Permian Basin oil and gas industry.
Abundant sunshine averaging over 320 sunny days per year, ideal for outdoor activities.
Short average commute times with minimal traffic congestion compared to metropolitan areas.
Tight-knit community with a strong cultural heritage and active local civic life.
Drawbacks
High dependence on the volatile oil and gas sector can create economic cyclicality.
Extremely limited public transportation options, requiring total car dependency.
Very low annual rainfall (8.1 inches) creates arid conditions and water management challenges.
Limited local entertainment, arts, and major retail options within city limits.
Distance from major metropolitan medical centers for specialized healthcare needs.
Explore
Dive Deeper
Key figures side by side — see which city wins each category at a glance.
Rio Rancho
#123New Mexico, USA
66.3 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,450
Avg Salary
$65,000
Cost Index
98
Commute
26 min
Transit Score
22.0/100
Walkability
28.0/100
Sunny Days
318/yr
Avg Temp
59.70°F
Pop. Growth
1.80%
Unemployment
4.20%
Livability
74
Business
68
Lovington
#359New Mexico, USA
59.7 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,150
Avg Salary
$58,000
Cost Index
88
Commute
18 min
Transit Score
30.0/100
Walkability
45.0/100
Sunny Days
321/yr
Avg Temp
64.70°F
Pop. Growth
0.50%
Unemployment
4.50%
Livability
68
Business
65
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