Flint 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)
Flint, MI
Michigan · Population: 80,835
- Median HH Income$36,194
- Median Home Price$65,949
- Unemployment17.4%
- Bachelor's+13.1%
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
Flint
80,835
Flint +
Rio Rancho
47,823
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Flint
N/A
Rio Rancho
N/A
Median Age
Flint
36.2
Flint +
Rio Rancho
36.8
Foreign Born
Flint
2.9%
Rio Rancho
11.6%
Rio Rancho +
White
Flint
34.4%
Rio Rancho
62.2%
Rio Rancho +
Black
Flint
56.6%
Flint +
Rio Rancho
1.8%
Asian
Flint
0.6%
Rio Rancho
1.6%
Rio Rancho +
Hispanic
Flint
4.5%
Rio Rancho
61.1%
Rio Rancho +
Spanish at Home
Flint
N/A
Rio Rancho
N/A
| Metric | Flint, MI | Rio Rancho, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 80,835 | 47,823 | Flint + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.2 | 36.8 | Flint + |
| Foreign Born | 2.9% | 11.6% | Rio Rancho + |
| White | 34.4% | 62.2% | Rio Rancho + |
| Black | 56.6% | 1.8% | Flint + |
| Asian | 0.6% | 1.6% | Rio Rancho + |
| Hispanic | 4.5% | 61.1% | Rio Rancho + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Flint
$36,194
Rio Rancho
$50,294
Rio Rancho +
Per Capita Income
Flint
$20,799
Rio Rancho
$28,418
Rio Rancho +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Flint
$58,052
Flint +
Rio Rancho
$53,141
Unemployment Rate
Flint
17.4%
Rio Rancho
5.9%
Rio Rancho +
Poverty Rate
Flint
34.4%
Rio Rancho
24.2%
Rio Rancho +
Bachelor's Degree+
Flint
13.1%
Rio Rancho
19.6%
Rio Rancho +
| Metric | Flint, MI | Rio Rancho, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $36,194 | $50,294 | Rio Rancho + |
| Per Capita Income | $20,799 | $28,418 | Rio Rancho + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,052 | $53,141 | Flint + |
| Unemployment Rate | 17.4% | 5.9% | Rio Rancho + |
| Poverty Rate | 34.4% | 24.2% | Rio Rancho + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 13.1% | 19.6% | Rio Rancho + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Flint
$65,949
Flint +
Rio Rancho
$362,476
Homeownership Rate
Flint
54.9%
Rio Rancho
66.4%
Rio Rancho +
| Metric | Flint, MI | Rio Rancho, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $65,949 | $362,476 | Flint + |
| Homeownership Rate | 54.9% | 66.4% | Rio Rancho + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Flint
471
Flint +
Rio Rancho
834
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Flint
1590
Flint +
Rio Rancho
3177
| Metric | Flint, MI | Rio Rancho, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 471 | 834 | Flint + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1590 | 3177 | Flint + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Flint
50.5%
Rio Rancho
31.9%
Rio Rancho +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Flint
19.3%
Rio Rancho
10.6%
Rio Rancho +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Flint
23.5%
Rio Rancho
15.4%
Rio Rancho +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Flint
11.7%
Rio Rancho
11.5%
Rio Rancho +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Flint
12.2%
Flint +
Rio Rancho
15.0%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Flint
25.3%
Rio Rancho
10.5%
Rio Rancho +
| Metric | Flint, MI | Rio Rancho, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 50.5% | 31.9% | Rio Rancho + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 19.3% | 10.6% | Rio Rancho + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 23.5% | 15.4% | Rio Rancho + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.7% | 11.5% | Rio Rancho + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 12.2% | 15.0% | Flint + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 25.3% | 10.5% | Rio Rancho + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Flint
47.0°F
Flint +
Rio Rancho
55.7°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Flint
31.7 in
Rio Rancho
12.3 in
Rio Rancho +
| Metric | Flint, MI | Rio Rancho, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 47.0°F | 55.7°F | Flint + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 31.7 in | 12.3 in | Rio Rancho + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Flint
10.7 µg/m³
Rio Rancho
6.1 µg/m³
Rio Rancho +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Flint
55.0%
Rio Rancho
75.0%
Rio Rancho +
| Metric | Flint, 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
Flint
25.0 min
Rio Rancho
19.1 min
Rio Rancho +
| Metric | Flint, MI | Rio Rancho, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 25.0 min | 19.1 min | Rio Rancho + |
Which City is Right for You?
Rio Rancho leads in median household income at $50,294, while flint offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $65,949. On public safety, Flint 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%.
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