Originally envisioned as a retirement community on Albuquerque's northern edge, Rio Rancho has since become a destination for young professionals and families attracted to its highly rated schools, local Intel and Hewlett-Packard offices and easy commutes to Albuquerque. "A lot of people from California, Florida and all over the place are starting to discover Rio Rancho because of how affordable it is,” explains Sooz Walters, a Rio Rancho local and Realtor with Keller Williams Realty. “People can come here, buy up land and build their own homes. But what I really like is that there are always new restaurants opening up and development coming in, and there’s a strong community feel despite all the growth.” With a population over 110,000, Rio Rancho is New Mexico's third largest city and its fastest growing. Much of this growth comes from Albuquerque's urban sprawl, as Duke City residents look for a slower pace of life while remaining near the big city. "In many ways, Rio Rancho's a lot like Albuquerque but a lot quieter and friendlier, and the crime is much more limited," says Michael McCracken, an area Realtor with Keller Williams. "Plus, I show people homes in Albuquerque and then in Rio Rancho, and they're surprised by how much more they get for their money."
Rio Rancho while large with land mass keeps more of a small town feel.
Rio Rancho is known as the "City of Vision" for always looking forward to new opportunities.
Intel has been a driving force behind the Rio Rancho economy for many years.
HP has been a large force for employment in Rio Rancho.
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Low housing and land costs across Rio Rancho
As of late 2024, Rio Rancho's average home price is around $365,000, compared to Albuquerque's average of $420,000 and the national average of $550,000. Land and housing are in great supply, but listings leave the market fast. “The 87144 zip code was the number one market in all of the Albuquerque metro area for closings,” says John Olmstead, a Realtor with D. R. Horton Homes. Most properties are custom-built single-family homes, featuring either the Spanish Revival style's bright exteriors and red-tiled roofs or the Pueblo Revival style's flat roofs and earth-toned exteriors. Homes in central Rio Rancho tend to sit in established suburbs from the 1980s to early 2000s; these range from $200,000 to $400,000. Sprinklings of newer custom-built homes from the 2010s and beyond are becoming common throughout the city, especially its outer reaches. "Places like North Rio Rancho are a bit more spread out and feel more exclusive, but that's only because there's less everything there," Walters explains. Prices for these newer homes range between $300,000 and $650,000. “The land here is also super cheap, so we’re seeing more and more people come here to buy land and custom build their homes,” Walters says. Half to 1-acre lots in the undeveloped outskirts of the city range between $1,000 and $10,000. Lots in more central, established suburbs often range between $50,000 and $85,000.
One of the many styles found around Rio Rancho is the Spanish Revival with the tiled roof.
Custom homes around Rio Rancho often typically have Pueblo Revival influence.
Most homes found around Rio Rancho were built in the 80's to 2000's.
Many residents enjoy Rio Rancho for the access to larger lots to build custom homes.
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Highest rated district and schools in Albuquerque area
Rio Rancho Public Schools earns an A from Niche, which ranks the district as the best in the Albuquerque area. The district’s Fine Arts Department stands out, winning three awards from the New Mexico Educators Association in 2023 that included the Award of Distinction and Administrator of the Year. Rio Rancho Cyber Academy, V. Sue Cleveland High and Rio Rancho High all score an A-minus on Niche and are ranked as the first, second and third best high schools in Sandoval County, respectively.
Rio Rancho Middle School helps bridge students into the local high schools.
Rio Rancho Cyber Academy uses a hybrid learning schedule that helps students thrive.
V Sue Cleveland High School helps serve students in Northern Rio Rancho.
Rio Rancho High School large campus to serve the many students in attendance.
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Parks, trails and desert spaces all around Rio Rancho
Rio Rancho is home to nearly 50 parks, most of them family-friendly greenspaces set in the center of neighborhoods. Among the newest is A Park Above, whose colorful, accessible play equipment makes it New Mexico’s first fully inclusive park. Miles of bike trails and lanes crisscross throughout the city, and miles more are planned according to Rio Rancho’s Bike and Pedestrian Transportation Master Plan. Local kids enjoy the city’s three public outdoor pools, and when winter comes around, they can head to the Rio Rancho Aquatic Center’s indoor pool and water park. Desert spaces and mountain ranges also surround the city, and with its temperate high desert climate, it’s almost always easy to enjoy the outdoors. “Our summers are never that ‘I can’t go outside’ type of hot that you get in Arizona, and when I go out hiking in the winter, all I usually need is a light coat,” Walters says. “The Sandia Mountains are so close, and then you’ve got skiing in Santa Fe about an hour to the north. There are also tons of sandy trails all around that make it so easy to just enjoy going outside.”
Rio Rancho residents enjoy the chance to play at parks with views of the Sandia Mountains.
A Park Above is a large park that children will have tons of fun at in Cabezon.
Locals love Cabezon for it's safe and quiet walking trials.
Residents of Rio Rancho have many options to choose from for hiking.
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New shopping centers coming to Rio Rancho
Other than the grocery stores, big box retailers, and chain restaurants along the Southern Boulevard and NM-528 corridors, Rio Rancho has seen little commercial development until mid-2024. “Near the Enchanted Hills neighborhood, they opened a really cool shopping plaza called THE BLOCK,” Walters says. “They built it out of old shipment containers. People can go out for drinks or dinner, and they host all sorts of events like concerts and movies outside. The city wants to support this sort of growth, so people don’t have to drive into Albuquerque for everything.” Incoming commercial developments include the Village—a shopping center and events space by the Rust Medical Center—and a revitalization of the City Center area near City Hall.
You can find many shopping centers along NM 528 in Rio Rancho.
Target is just one of the many big box stores found around Rio Rancho.
The Block has been a large success in Rio Rancho bringing new and exciting options.
The Block features many food options that brings a big variety of choices to Rio Rancho.
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Monster trucks rallies and local theater troupes
Next to City Hall, the Rio Rancho Events Center is often roaring with festivals, comedy shows and more. The indoor arena is best known for its Toughest Monter Truck Tour shows, but the events space also hosts concerts and other sporting events. “When I think of events here, my mind tends to go to our little theater troupe,” Walters says. “The Rio Rancho Players will do plays at high schools, parks, senior centers and all sorts of places. They’re working with the city to save up money for their own theater, which kind of speaks to the hope and growth here.”
The Rio Rancho City Hall is the cornerstone of the new Downtown area developing.
The Rio Rancho Events Center has been a big part of the downtown relocation.
Rio Rancho’s Annual Fall Festival has live music that locals can enjoy and dance along to.
Rio Rancho revealed their "Sky Campus" with a unique band shell for concerts and events.
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Interstate 25 offers routes to Albuquerque and Santa Fe
Rio Rancho’s limited public transportation options, lack of bike lanes and spread-out amenities make it completely car dependent. Around 9 miles west, Interstate 25 is the closest major roadway; it leads 13 miles south to Downtown Albuquerque and 57 miles north to Downtown Santa Fe. Commuters can also take the New Mexico Rail Runner Express to both cities from Sandoval County Station. The Albuquerque International Sunport is 20 miles south, and the Santa Fe Regional Airport is 42 miles north.
Crime rates low compared to national and state rates
According to FBI data for 2023, Rio Rancho’s property crime rate was below the national rate and signifcantly lower than the state rate. In the same year, Rio Rancho’s violent crime rate was in line with the national rate and well below the state rate. The Rio Rancho Police Department runs programs and events to foster a stronger relationship between the police force and city residents, including Whodunnit Mystery Nights that partner locals with officers to solve fictional crimes together.
Written By
Fletcher Varnson
Photography Contributed By
Kody Martin
Video By
Victoria Sharpe
Interested in learning more about homes in this area?
Reach out to
Wendy Wallace,
an experienced agent in this area.
On average, homes in Rio Rancho, NM sell after 49 days on the market compared to the national average of 53 days. The median sale price for homes in Rio Rancho, NM over the last 12 months is $380,000, up 4% from the median home sale price over the previous 12 months.
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