Lafayette LA 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)
Lafayette, LA
Louisiana · Population: 121,537
- Median HH Income$61,454
- Median Home Price$225,222
- Unemployment5.1%
- Bachelor's+40.6%
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
Lafayette
121,537
Lafayette +
Rio Rancho
47,823
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Lafayette
N/A
Rio Rancho
N/A
Median Age
Lafayette
37.1
Rio Rancho
36.8
Rio Rancho +
Foreign Born
Lafayette
6.6%
Rio Rancho
11.6%
Rio Rancho +
White
Lafayette
59.1%
Rio Rancho
62.2%
Rio Rancho +
Black
Lafayette
28.6%
Lafayette +
Rio Rancho
1.8%
Asian
Lafayette
2.1%
Lafayette +
Rio Rancho
1.6%
Hispanic
Lafayette
7.6%
Rio Rancho
61.1%
Rio Rancho +
Spanish at Home
Lafayette
N/A
Rio Rancho
N/A
| Metric | Lafayette, LA | Rio Rancho, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 121,537 | 47,823 | Lafayette + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 37.1 | 36.8 | Rio Rancho + |
| Foreign Born | 6.6% | 11.6% | Rio Rancho + |
| White | 59.1% | 62.2% | Rio Rancho + |
| Black | 28.6% | 1.8% | Lafayette + |
| Asian | 2.1% | 1.6% | Lafayette + |
| Hispanic | 7.6% | 61.1% | Rio Rancho + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Lafayette
$61,454
Lafayette +
Rio Rancho
$50,294
Per Capita Income
Lafayette
$39,861
Lafayette +
Rio Rancho
$28,418
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Lafayette
$55,297
Lafayette +
Rio Rancho
$53,141
Unemployment Rate
Lafayette
5.1%
Lafayette +
Rio Rancho
5.9%
Poverty Rate
Lafayette
19.1%
Lafayette +
Rio Rancho
24.2%
Bachelor's Degree+
Lafayette
40.6%
Lafayette +
Rio Rancho
19.6%
| Metric | Lafayette, LA | Rio Rancho, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $61,454 | $50,294 | Lafayette + |
| Per Capita Income | $39,861 | $28,418 | Lafayette + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $55,297 | $53,141 | Lafayette + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.1% | 5.9% | Lafayette + |
| Poverty Rate | 19.1% | 24.2% | Lafayette + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 40.6% | 19.6% | Lafayette + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Lafayette
$225,222
Lafayette +
Rio Rancho
$362,476
Homeownership Rate
Lafayette
55.0%
Rio Rancho
66.4%
Rio Rancho +
| Metric | Lafayette, LA | Rio Rancho, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $225,222 | $362,476 | Lafayette + |
| Homeownership Rate | 55.0% | 66.4% | Rio Rancho + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Lafayette
643
Lafayette +
Rio Rancho
834
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Lafayette
2824
Lafayette +
Rio Rancho
3177
| Metric | Lafayette, LA | Rio Rancho, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 643 | 834 | Lafayette + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2824 | 3177 | Lafayette + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Lafayette
34.5%
Rio Rancho
31.9%
Rio Rancho +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Lafayette
14.0%
Rio Rancho
10.6%
Rio Rancho +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Lafayette
18.4%
Rio Rancho
15.4%
Rio Rancho +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Lafayette
8.3%
Lafayette +
Rio Rancho
11.5%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Lafayette
17.8%
Rio Rancho
15.0%
Rio Rancho +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Lafayette
16.1%
Rio Rancho
10.5%
Rio Rancho +
| Metric | Lafayette, LA | Rio Rancho, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 34.5% | 31.9% | Rio Rancho + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 14.0% | 10.6% | Rio Rancho + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.4% | 15.4% | Rio Rancho + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 8.3% | 11.5% | Lafayette + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 17.8% | 15.0% | Rio Rancho + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 16.1% | 10.5% | Rio Rancho + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Lafayette
67.6°F
Rio Rancho
55.7°F
Rio Rancho +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Lafayette
61.0 in
Rio Rancho
12.3 in
Rio Rancho +
| Metric | Lafayette, LA | Rio Rancho, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 67.6°F | 55.7°F | Rio Rancho + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 61.0 in | 12.3 in | Rio Rancho + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Lafayette
8.9 µg/m³
Rio Rancho
6.1 µg/m³
Rio Rancho +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Lafayette
75.0%
Rio Rancho
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Lafayette, LA | Rio Rancho, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.9 µg/m³ | 6.1 µg/m³ | Rio Rancho + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Lafayette
21.5 min
Rio Rancho
19.1 min
Rio Rancho +
| Metric | Lafayette, LA | Rio Rancho, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 21.5 min | 19.1 min | Rio Rancho + |
Which City is Right for You?
Lafayette leads in median household income at $61,454, while lafayette offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $225,222. On public safety, Lafayette is safer with a violent crime rate of 643 per 100,000 residents, compared to 834 in Rio Rancho. Lafayette has a lower unemployment rate at 5.1%, 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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