North Hills is a far-flung suburb of Rio Rancho that stands between the city and the underdeveloped expanse to the west. “It’s a little bit of no-man’s land up there,” says Realtor John Sheffer with Berkshire Hathaway Home Services New Mexico, who has over 20 years of experience in the area. “It’s a little bit out of the way, but from a price point perspective, it’s one of only a handful of affordable areas for entry-level buyers in Rio Rancho.” While it is out of the way, the neighborhood is popular with first-time homeowners and those relocating to either Albuquerque or Santa Fe for work due to its prices and its proximity to major area thoroughfares. As Rio Rancho continues to expand, the North Hills offer a comfortable suburban perch for young families and professionals.
Rio Rancho is a suburb of Albuquerque, New Mexico.
Two story homes line the streets of North Hills in Rio Rancho, New Mexico.
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Ranch-style and Modern Traditional homes may require plumbing renovations
Most homes in North Hills were built between the 1980s and early 2000s. Common varieties include sprawling ranch-style homes with stucco siding, along with single-story houses with Modern Traditional features. Open spaces and small parks are threaded through the residential streets in this high mesa, and the west side of the neighborhood looks out on a flat expanse of desert shrub and sand. Prices can range from $175,000 to $550,000 depending on build year and square footage, but prospective buyers should be aware of potential hidden maintenance costs. “Many of the homes were developed with subpar plumbing systems,” Sheffer says. “One of the first questions that people should ask is whether or not there’s been a re-piping done. If not, it should be built into the contract for sure.” These renovations can cost between $2,400 and $7,000.
Portions of North Hills were recently constructed and reflect a modern design.
A well insulated home is a necessity in the North Hills neighborhood of Rio Rancho, New Mexico.
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ASK Academy is among New Mexico's best middle schools
Colinas del Norte Elementary School, rated A-minus by Niche, is located at the northernmost end of North Hills. Eagle Ridge Middle, the closest public middle school, also scores an A-minus. Alternative options include the ASK Academy, a charter school that was ranked as New Mexico’s second-best middle school by U.S. News and World Report in 2024. Cleveland High, established in 2009, also receives an A-minus.
The Ask Academy features two buildings for different grade ranges.
Students and teachers are proud of the Ask Academy in Rio Rancho, New Mexico.
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Small green spaces are speckled throughout North Hills
North Hills Park, Big Brothers Big Sisters Park and Canyon Park all offer playgrounds and open green space within the boundaries of the community. Other nearby options include the Rio Rancho Sports Complex, among the largest park facilities in Albuquerque, and the Rio Rancho Aquatic Center, where locals can escape the dry summer heat at the indoor pool.
Escape the sweltering heat under one of the shade trees at King Meadows Park in Rio Rancho.
Explore the large grassy fields at Canyon Park in Rio Rancho, New Mexico.
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Joe's Pasta House is a Rio Rancho staple
The Southern Business Park and Plaza is home to the closest Walmart Supercenter, where residents can shop for groceries and daily household necessities. Local restaurants along Southern Boulevard include Stripes Burrito and Joe’s Pasta House, an area staple since the 1980s. “Rio Rancho is not exactly known for Italian food, but there’s a large New York ex-pat community here that is very loyal to Joe’s,” says Realtor Justin Tate of EXP Realty, an area resident of 12 years. “When the original owner planned on shutting it down, a longtime customer actually decided to step in and take it over. It’s still going strong today.”
Joe's Pasta House is a great place to grab Italian cuisine in Rio Rancho, New Mexico.
North Hills has a variety of familiar and local businesses nearby in Rio Rancho, New Mexico.
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Commutes to Albuquerque and Santa Fe can be lengthy
Residents will likely feel the remoteness of the neighborhood when commuting to work. “It’s definitely a commuter neighborhood, either to Albuquerque or even to Santa Fe. You just take Unser Boulevard all the way up, and there’s Highway 550,” Sheffer says. “I will say, though, that this neighborhood was the site of my first house flip, and it felt very far from Albuquerque. Depending on traffic, getting there can take up to an hour.”
Experience the history of classic RT66 that makes it way through the center of Albuquerque.
North Hills is a master planned community that is a suburb of Albuquerque, New Mexico.
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The Rio Rancho Events Center is close by
The Rio Rancho Events Center is a short trip north of the neighborhood and hosts concerts, stand-up comedy and indoor soccer games throughout the year. To the south, residents can catch the latest blockbusters at the Rio Rancho Premiere 14 movie theater on Unser Boulevard.
The Rio Rancho Events Center hosts a variety of events throughout the year.
The State Volleyball Championship at the Rio Rancho Events Center can get really exciting.
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OWNER/BROKER - Move-in ready and full of charm! This beautifully maintained 3-bed, 2-bath home is ready for you to make it your own. Major updates were completed in July 2025, including a brand-new roof, fresh interior and exterior paint, stucco repairs, and servicing of the evaporative cooler, furnace, and water heater. Completely remodeled in 2012, the open-concept floorplan offers a seamless
Welcome to this charming home in the North Hills community! This well-designed 3-bedroom, 2-bathroom floor plan includes a finished 2-car garage and numerous recent updates. The home has been fully re-plumbed (no Poly or Kitec pipes), and features a newer HVAC heater (2024), newer water heater, and an updated TPO roof. The property sits on an oversized corner lot with potential for backyard
A BRICK HAVEN IN RIO RANCHO BURSTING WITH WARMTH, STYLE, AND UPDATES THAT MATTER. This cozy 4 bed 2 bath home offers fresh paint, updated hardware, and major systems refreshed for comfort--including refrigerated air and a recently tuned HVAC. Gather around the kiva fireplace, enjoy meals in the sunny eat-in kitchen, and relax on the covered back porch overlooking a freshly landscaped, xeriscaped
Charming home in the heart of Rio Rancho! This 2-bedroom, 2-bath rental offers 901 sq. ft. Inside, you'll find fresh paint, an open layout with abundant natural light, and no carpet throughout the home, perfect for easy upkeep.All major appliances are included stove, refrigerator, washer, and dryer. A 2-car garage provides secure parking and extra storage, while a brand new roof adds peace of
Come see this 3 bedroom 2 bathroom home located in the North Hills neighborhood of Rio Rancho. This home features an open and spacious kitchen with stainless steel appliances, large window above the kitchen sink, plenty of cabinet space throughout, two full bathrooms, washer and dryer included and a large low landscaping backyard with access to a disc golf park. In school district of V. Sue
Interested in learning more about homes in this area?
Reach out to
Sarah Lopez,
an experienced agent in this neighborhood.
Average Home Value
Source: Public Records
Property Mix - Square Feet
This Neighborhood Has More Owners
Demographics
Total Population
7,379
Median Age
36
Population under 18
26.9%
On par with the national average
23.8%
Population over 65
13.4%
Below the national average
19.1%
Finances
Median Household Income
$62,950
Below the national average
$71,702
Average Household Income
$78,556
Education and Workforce
High School Graduates
88.5%
College Graduates
29.4%
On par with the national average
34.1%
Advanced Degrees
10.6%
On par with the national average
13.3%
% Population in Labor Force
65.7%
Weather
Annual Precipitation
11''
Average Winter Low Temperature
23°F
Average Summer High Temperature
93°F
Annual Snowfall
4''
Area Factors
Somewhat Bikeable
Bike Score®
19/ 100
Car-Dependent
Walk Score®
5/ 100
Source: Walk Score
Source: Walk Score
Sound Score® measures the noise level of any address. Transit Score® measures access to public transit. Bike Score® measures the bikeability of any address.
Disclaimer: Certain information contained herein is derived from information provided by parties other than Homes.com. Our sources include: Accuweather, Public Records and Neustar. All information provided is deemed reliable, but is not guaranteed to be accurate and should be independently verified.
