City Comparison

Rio Rancho vs Vienna

Cost of Living Comparison · 2026

Rio Rancho

New Mexico
95
Below Average
$337,000
Median Home
$1,400/mo
Median Rent
$85,800
Median Income

Vienna

Austria
88
Below Average
$395,000
Median Home
$1,275/mo
Median Rent
$48,000
Median Income

The Verdict

8.0%

Living in Vienna costs 8.0% less than Rio Rancho. To match the purchasing power of a $75,000 salary in Rio Rancho, you would need $69,474 in Vienna.

Category-by-Category Breakdown

Index values · National average = 100 · Lower is more affordable

Housing
91
Rio Rancho
105
Vienna
Groceries
97
Rio Rancho
85
Vienna
Utilities
84
Rio Rancho
98
Vienna
Transportation
92
Rio Rancho
102
Vienna
Healthcare
99
Rio Rancho
82
Vienna

Salary Equivalence

A $75,000 salary in Rio Rancho has the same purchasing power as $69,474 in Vienna.

Conversely, $75,000 in Vienna equals $80,966 in Rio Rancho.

Living in Rio Rancho vs Vienna

Housing Costs

Rio Rancho's housing index of 91 is lower Vienna's 105, translating to median home prices of $337,000 vs $395,000. The $58,000 difference in home prices means roughly $3,768 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,400/mo in Rio Rancho compared to $1,275/mo in Vienna, a monthly difference of $125.

Grocery & Food Costs

Grocery expenses index at 97 in Rio Rancho and 85 in Vienna. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $461/month in Rio Rancho vs $404/month in Vienna. Vienna offers a meaningful advantage on everyday food costs, saving roughly $684/year.

Utility Expenses

Utility costs — electricity, gas, water, internet — index at 84 in Rio Rancho and 98 in Vienna. Monthly utility bills average approximately $336 in Rio Rancho vs $392 in Vienna. Climate differences between the two cities drive much of this gap, with heating and cooling costs varying substantially by region.

Healthcare

Healthcare costs index at 99 in Rio Rancho and 82 in Vienna. This encompasses insurance premiums, doctor visit copays, dental care, and prescription costs. The 17-point gap reflects real differences in provider costs, insurance market competition, and regional healthcare infrastructure.

Income & Purchasing Power

Median household income is $85,800 in Rio Rancho and $48,000 in Vienna. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $90,316 and $54,545 respectively. Rio Rancho residents enjoy stronger real purchasing power despite higher nominal wages.

Relocation Considerations

Under the standard 28% rule, a median-income household can allocate $2,002/month to housing in Rio Rancho vs $1,120/month in Vienna. In Rio Rancho, median rent of $1,400/mo fits within this budget. In Vienna, median rent of $1,275/mo pushes past the recommended limit. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Healthcare, where the gap is 17 index points — focus your budget analysis there.

Frequently Asked Questions

Vienna is 8.0% more affordable overall with an index of 88 vs 95.
A $75,000 salary in Rio Rancho has equivalent purchasing power to approximately $69,474 in Vienna, based on the cost of living difference.
Rio Rancho's housing index is 91 with median homes at $337,000, while Vienna's is 105 with median homes at $395,000.

Moving & Relocation Resources

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