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D+

Is Rio Rancho, New Mexico Safe?

Population 114,419 · Safer than 21% of US cities

Improving· 2023 FBI UCR data

A D+ grade for Rio Rancho means there's room for concern. The 251.1 per-thousand crime rate and violent crime close to the national average tell the story. Property crime makes up the majority of offenses, with theft at 1,605 per 100K.

Rio Rancho Crime Rates vs State and National Averages

MetricRio RanchoNew Mexico AvgNational Avg
Violent Crime Rate338.1332.8363.8
Property Crime Rate2172.62123.71,832.3
Murder Rate6.0--5.7
Assault Rate240.0--268.2
Theft Rate1605.0--1,401.5
Vehicle Theft Rate480.0--318.3

All rates per 100,000 residents. 2024 FBI Uniform Crime Report + Census Bureau population estimates.

Overall SafetyD+

251.1 crimes per 1,000 residents

Violent CrimeC

338/100K (national avg: 364)

Property CrimeD+

2173/100K (national avg: 1,832)

Key Crime Statistics for Rio Rancho

Violent crime in Rio Rancho is close to the national average. The rate of 338.1 per 100K falls below the national 363.8.

Property crime is above the national average at 2172.6 per 100K vs. the national 1,832.3.

Theft is the most reported crime at 1,605 per 100K. The national average is 1,401.5.

Rio Rancho Crime Breakdown by Category

Murder6
01.1x national avgAvg: 5.7
Assault240
089% of avgAvg: 268.2
Robbery65
01.0x national avgAvg: 63.3
Burglary391
01.4x national avgAvg: 269.8
Theft1,605
01.1x national avgAvg: 1,401.5
Vehicle Theft480
01.5x national avgAvg: 318.3

Rates per 100,000 residents. Vertical marker = national average.

How Rio Rancho Compares

Violent Crime Rate (per 100K)

Rio Rancho
338.1
State
332.8
National
363.8

Property Crime Rate (per 100K)

Rio Rancho
2172.6
State
2123.7
National
1832.3

Rates per 100,000 residents. National averages from 2023 FBI UCR data.

Frequently Asked Questions About Rio Rancho Safety

Is Rio Rancho safe?
Not especially. Rio Rancho earns a D+ with a crime rate of 251.1 per 1,000 residents, and violent crime runs close to the national average. Standard precautions apply, especially at night.
What is the crime rate in Rio Rancho?
251.1 per 1,000 residents. That breaks down to a violent crime rate of 338.1 per 100,000 (the national average is 363.8) and property crime at 2172.6 per 100,000 (national average: 1832.3).
Is Rio Rancho safe for tourists?
Exercise extra caution. Rio Rancho's D+ grade reflects real risk, particularly for property crime. Theft (1,605 per 100K) is the biggest concern for visitors. Stay in well-lit, busy areas at night.
What are the safest neighborhoods in Rio Rancho?
Neighborhood-level data varies, but suburban residential areas in Rio Rancho generally report lower crime than downtown or commercial districts. For block-level detail, check the Rio Rancho police department's crime map.
Is crime increasing in Rio Rancho?
No. Crime in Rio Rancho has been trending down, which is good news for the D+-rated city.
How does Rio Rancho compare to other cities in New Mexico?
Below average for the state. Rio Rancho ranks behind about 79% of New Mexico cities on safety, with property crime being the bigger issue at 1.2x the national rate.
How safe is Rio Rancho to live in?
Worth factoring into your decision. Violent crime is close to the national average, which is encouraging. Crime has been dropping, which helps.
How bad is crime in Rio Rancho?
Bad. A D+ grade and 251.1 per-thousand rate put Rio Rancho below 79% of US cities. Violent crime at 338 per 100K is the core problem.
What is the violent crime rate in Rio Rancho?
338.1 per 100,000, which is 7% below the national average of 363.8. That includes assault (240), robbery (65), and murder (6.0) per 100,000.

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View all New Mexico city safety grades

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2024 FBI Uniform Crime Report data and Census Bureau population estimates. Safety grades calculated using national and state-level crime rate distributions. Not a substitute for local law enforcement guidance.

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