Grand Rapids 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)
Grand Rapids, MI
Michigan · Population: 197,768
- Median HH Income$65,526
- Median Home Price$309,801
- Unemployment5.0%
- Bachelor's+40.1%
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
Grand Rapids
197,768
Grand Rapids +
Rio Rancho
47,823
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Grand Rapids
N/A
Rio Rancho
N/A
Median Age
Grand Rapids
32.1
Grand Rapids +
Rio Rancho
36.8
Foreign Born
Grand Rapids
11.3%
Rio Rancho
11.6%
Rio Rancho +
White
Grand Rapids
61.0%
Rio Rancho
62.2%
Rio Rancho +
Black
Grand Rapids
17.9%
Grand Rapids +
Rio Rancho
1.8%
Asian
Grand Rapids
2.9%
Grand Rapids +
Rio Rancho
1.6%
Hispanic
Grand Rapids
16.1%
Rio Rancho
61.1%
Rio Rancho +
Spanish at Home
Grand Rapids
N/A
Rio Rancho
N/A
| Metric | Grand Rapids, MI | Rio Rancho, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 197,768 | 47,823 | Grand Rapids + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 32.1 | 36.8 | Grand Rapids + |
| Foreign Born | 11.3% | 11.6% | Rio Rancho + |
| White | 61.0% | 62.2% | Rio Rancho + |
| Black | 17.9% | 1.8% | Grand Rapids + |
| Asian | 2.9% | 1.6% | Grand Rapids + |
| Hispanic | 16.1% | 61.1% | Rio Rancho + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Grand Rapids
$65,526
Grand Rapids +
Rio Rancho
$50,294
Per Capita Income
Grand Rapids
$33,953
Grand Rapids +
Rio Rancho
$28,418
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Grand Rapids
$58,052
Grand Rapids +
Rio Rancho
$53,141
Unemployment Rate
Grand Rapids
5.0%
Grand Rapids +
Rio Rancho
5.9%
Poverty Rate
Grand Rapids
18.6%
Grand Rapids +
Rio Rancho
24.2%
Bachelor's Degree+
Grand Rapids
40.1%
Grand Rapids +
Rio Rancho
19.6%
| Metric | Grand Rapids, MI | Rio Rancho, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $65,526 | $50,294 | Grand Rapids + |
| Per Capita Income | $33,953 | $28,418 | Grand Rapids + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,052 | $53,141 | Grand Rapids + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.0% | 5.9% | Grand Rapids + |
| Poverty Rate | 18.6% | 24.2% | Grand Rapids + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 40.1% | 19.6% | Grand Rapids + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Grand Rapids
$309,801
Grand Rapids +
Rio Rancho
$362,476
Homeownership Rate
Grand Rapids
54.6%
Rio Rancho
66.4%
Rio Rancho +
| Metric | Grand Rapids, MI | Rio Rancho, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $309,801 | $362,476 | Grand Rapids + |
| Homeownership Rate | 54.6% | 66.4% | Rio Rancho + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Grand Rapids
471
Grand Rapids +
Rio Rancho
834
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Grand Rapids
1590
Grand Rapids +
Rio Rancho
3177
| Metric | Grand Rapids, MI | Rio Rancho, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 471 | 834 | Grand Rapids + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1590 | 3177 | Grand Rapids + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Grand Rapids
36.4%
Rio Rancho
31.9%
Rio Rancho +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Grand Rapids
10.4%
Grand Rapids +
Rio Rancho
10.6%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Grand Rapids
18.9%
Rio Rancho
15.4%
Rio Rancho +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Grand Rapids
9.9%
Grand Rapids +
Rio Rancho
11.5%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Grand Rapids
17.6%
Rio Rancho
15.0%
Rio Rancho +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Grand Rapids
14.0%
Rio Rancho
10.5%
Rio Rancho +
| Metric | Grand Rapids, MI | Rio Rancho, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 36.4% | 31.9% | Rio Rancho + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 10.4% | 10.6% | Grand Rapids + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.9% | 15.4% | Rio Rancho + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.9% | 11.5% | Grand Rapids + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 17.6% | 15.0% | Rio Rancho + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 14.0% | 10.5% | Rio Rancho + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Grand Rapids
49.1°F
Grand Rapids +
Rio Rancho
55.7°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Grand Rapids
38.3 in
Rio Rancho
12.3 in
Rio Rancho +
| Metric | Grand Rapids, MI | Rio Rancho, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 49.1°F | 55.7°F | Grand Rapids + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 38.3 in | 12.3 in | Rio Rancho + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Grand Rapids
10.7 µg/m³
Rio Rancho
6.1 µg/m³
Rio Rancho +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Grand Rapids
55.0%
Rio Rancho
75.0%
Rio Rancho +
| Metric | Grand Rapids, 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
Grand Rapids
21.1 min
Rio Rancho
19.1 min
Rio Rancho +
| Metric | Grand Rapids, MI | Rio Rancho, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 21.1 min | 19.1 min | Rio Rancho + |
Which City is Right for You?
Grand Rapids leads in median household income at $65,526, while grand Rapids offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $309,801. On public safety, Grand Rapids is safer with a violent crime rate of 471 per 100,000 residents, compared to 834 in Rio Rancho. Grand Rapids has a lower unemployment rate at 5.0%, 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
Grand Rapids, MI vs New York, NYGrand Rapids, MI vs Los Angeles, CAChicago, IL vs Grand Rapids, MIGrand Rapids, MI vs Houston, TXGrand Rapids, MI vs Phoenix, AZGrand Rapids, MI vs Philadelphia, PA