Dearborn MI vs Rio Rancho NM — Cost of Living, Crime & Income Comparison 2026
Updated May 2026 · Source: US Census ACS 5-Year (2023), FBI CDE (2023), BLS OEWS (2024)
Dearborn, MI
Michigan · Population: 107,846
- Median HH Income$65,192
- Median Home Price$248,262
- Unemployment6.8%
- Bachelor's+34.3%
Rio Rancho, NM
New Mexico · Population: 47,823
- Median HH Income$50,294
- Median Home Price$362,476
- Unemployment5.9%
- Bachelor's+19.6%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Dearborn
107,846
Dearborn +
Rio Rancho
47,823
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Dearborn
N/A
Rio Rancho
N/A
Median Age
Dearborn
32.6
Dearborn +
Rio Rancho
36.8
Foreign Born
Dearborn
29.4%
Dearborn +
Rio Rancho
11.6%
White
Dearborn
88.0%
Dearborn +
Rio Rancho
62.2%
Black
Dearborn
3.3%
Dearborn +
Rio Rancho
1.8%
Asian
Dearborn
2.0%
Dearborn +
Rio Rancho
1.6%
Hispanic
Dearborn
3.0%
Rio Rancho
61.1%
Rio Rancho +
Spanish at Home
Dearborn
N/A
Rio Rancho
N/A
| Metric | Dearborn, MI | Rio Rancho, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 107,846 | 47,823 | Dearborn + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 32.6 | 36.8 | Dearborn + |
| Foreign Born | 29.4% | 11.6% | Dearborn + |
| White | 88.0% | 62.2% | Dearborn + |
| Black | 3.3% | 1.8% | Dearborn + |
| Asian | 2.0% | 1.6% | Dearborn + |
| Hispanic | 3.0% | 61.1% | Rio Rancho + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Dearborn
$65,192
Dearborn +
Rio Rancho
$50,294
Per Capita Income
Dearborn
$29,900
Dearborn +
Rio Rancho
$28,418
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Dearborn
$58,052
Dearborn +
Rio Rancho
$53,141
Unemployment Rate
Dearborn
6.8%
Rio Rancho
5.9%
Rio Rancho +
Poverty Rate
Dearborn
24.3%
Rio Rancho
24.2%
Rio Rancho +
Bachelor's Degree+
Dearborn
34.3%
Dearborn +
Rio Rancho
19.6%
| Metric | Dearborn, MI | Rio Rancho, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $65,192 | $50,294 | Dearborn + |
| Per Capita Income | $29,900 | $28,418 | Dearborn + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,052 | $53,141 | Dearborn + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.8% | 5.9% | Rio Rancho + |
| Poverty Rate | 24.3% | 24.2% | Rio Rancho + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 34.3% | 19.6% | Dearborn + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Dearborn
$248,262
Dearborn +
Rio Rancho
$362,476
Homeownership Rate
Dearborn
68.2%
Dearborn +
Rio Rancho
66.4%
| Metric | Dearborn, MI | Rio Rancho, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $248,262 | $362,476 | Dearborn + |
| Homeownership Rate | 68.2% | 66.4% | Dearborn + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Dearborn
471
Dearborn +
Rio Rancho
834
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Dearborn
1590
Dearborn +
Rio Rancho
3177
| Metric | Dearborn, MI | Rio Rancho, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 471 | 834 | Dearborn + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1590 | 3177 | Dearborn + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Dearborn
33.7%
Rio Rancho
31.9%
Rio Rancho +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Dearborn
11.2%
Rio Rancho
10.6%
Rio Rancho +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Dearborn
21.5%
Rio Rancho
15.4%
Rio Rancho +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Dearborn
8.2%
Dearborn +
Rio Rancho
11.5%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Dearborn
17.1%
Rio Rancho
15.0%
Rio Rancho +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Dearborn
18.2%
Rio Rancho
10.5%
Rio Rancho +
| Metric | Dearborn, MI | Rio Rancho, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 33.7% | 31.9% | Rio Rancho + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.2% | 10.6% | Rio Rancho + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 21.5% | 15.4% | Rio Rancho + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 8.2% | 11.5% | Dearborn + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 17.1% | 15.0% | Rio Rancho + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 18.2% | 10.5% | Rio Rancho + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Dearborn
50.1°F
Dearborn +
Rio Rancho
55.7°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Dearborn
33.9 in
Rio Rancho
12.3 in
Rio Rancho +
| Metric | Dearborn, MI | Rio Rancho, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 50.1°F | 55.7°F | Dearborn + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 33.9 in | 12.3 in | Rio Rancho + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Dearborn
10.7 µg/m³
Rio Rancho
6.1 µg/m³
Rio Rancho +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Dearborn
55.0%
Rio Rancho
75.0%
Rio Rancho +
| Metric | Dearborn, MI | Rio Rancho, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 10.7 µg/m³ | 6.1 µg/m³ | Rio Rancho + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Rio Rancho + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Dearborn
22.8 min
Rio Rancho
19.1 min
Rio Rancho +
| Metric | Dearborn, MI | Rio Rancho, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 22.8 min | 19.1 min | Rio Rancho + |
Which City is Right for You?
Dearborn leads in median household income at $65,192, while dearborn offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $248,262. On public safety, Dearborn is safer with a violent crime rate of 471 per 100,000 residents, compared to 834 in Rio Rancho. Rio Rancho has a lower unemployment rate at 5.9%, and Rio Rancho has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 6.1 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Rio Rancho scores better with a lower obesity rate of 31.9%.
Compare More Cities
Dearborn, MI vs New York, NYDearborn, MI vs Los Angeles, CAChicago, IL vs Dearborn, MIDearborn, MI vs Houston, TXDearborn, MI vs Phoenix, AZDearborn, MI vs Philadelphia, PA