City Comparison

Rio Rancho vs Warwick

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

Warwick

Rhode Island
106
Above Average
$413,000
Median Home
$1,425/mo
Median Rent
$74,600
Median Income

The Verdict

10.4%

Living in Rio Rancho costs 10.4% less than Warwick. To match the purchasing power of a $75,000 salary in Rio Rancho, you would need $83,684 in Warwick.

Category-by-Category Breakdown

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

Housing
91
Rio Rancho
127
Warwick
Groceries
97
Rio Rancho
102
Warwick
Utilities
84
Rio Rancho
112
Warwick
Transportation
92
Rio Rancho
105
Warwick
Healthcare
99
Rio Rancho
103
Warwick

Salary Equivalence

A $75,000 salary in Rio Rancho has the same purchasing power as $83,684 in Warwick.

Conversely, $75,000 in Warwick equals $67,217 in Rio Rancho.

Living in Rio Rancho vs Warwick

Housing Costs

Rio Rancho's housing index of 91 is lower Warwick's 127, translating to median home prices of $337,000 vs $413,000. The $76,000 difference in home prices means roughly $4,944 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,400/mo in Rio Rancho compared to $1,425/mo in Warwick, a monthly difference of $25.

Grocery & Food Costs

Grocery expenses index at 97 in Rio Rancho and 102 in Warwick. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $461/month in Rio Rancho vs $485/month in Warwick. The difference in grocery costs between these cities is relatively minor and unlikely to be a deciding factor in relocation.

Utility Expenses

Utility costs — electricity, gas, water, internet — index at 84 in Rio Rancho and 112 in Warwick. Monthly utility bills average approximately $336 in Rio Rancho vs $448 in Warwick. 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 103 in Warwick. This encompasses insurance premiums, doctor visit copays, dental care, and prescription costs. Healthcare costs are relatively similar between these two cities, though individual plan costs can still vary.

Income & Purchasing Power

Median household income is $85,800 in Rio Rancho and $74,600 in Warwick. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $90,316 and $70,377 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 $1,741/month in Warwick. In Rio Rancho, median rent of $1,400/mo fits within this budget. In Warwick, median rent of $1,425/mo remains manageable. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Housing, where the gap is 36 index points — focus your budget analysis there.

Frequently Asked Questions

Rio Rancho is 10.4% more affordable overall with an index of 95 vs 106.
A $75,000 salary in Rio Rancho has equivalent purchasing power to approximately $83,684 in Warwick, based on the cost of living difference.
Rio Rancho's housing index is 91 with median homes at $337,000, while Warwick's is 127 with median homes at $413,000.

Moving & Relocation Resources

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