Lakeland FL 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)
Lakeland, FL
Florida · Population: 82,506
- Median HH Income$60,465
- Median Home Price$312,001
- Unemployment4.3%
- Bachelor's+26.8%
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
Lakeland
82,506
Lakeland +
Rio Rancho
47,823
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Lakeland
N/A
Rio Rancho
N/A
Median Age
Lakeland
48.4
Rio Rancho
36.8
Rio Rancho +
Foreign Born
Lakeland
12.9%
Lakeland +
Rio Rancho
11.6%
White
Lakeland
74.1%
Lakeland +
Rio Rancho
62.2%
Black
Lakeland
8.8%
Lakeland +
Rio Rancho
1.8%
Asian
Lakeland
3.7%
Lakeland +
Rio Rancho
1.6%
Hispanic
Lakeland
14.4%
Rio Rancho
61.1%
Rio Rancho +
Spanish at Home
Lakeland
N/A
Rio Rancho
N/A
| Metric | Lakeland, FL | Rio Rancho, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 82,506 | 47,823 | Lakeland + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 48.4 | 36.8 | Rio Rancho + |
| Foreign Born | 12.9% | 11.6% | Lakeland + |
| White | 74.1% | 62.2% | Lakeland + |
| Black | 8.8% | 1.8% | Lakeland + |
| Asian | 3.7% | 1.6% | Lakeland + |
| Hispanic | 14.4% | 61.1% | Rio Rancho + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Lakeland
$60,465
Lakeland +
Rio Rancho
$50,294
Per Capita Income
Lakeland
$36,322
Lakeland +
Rio Rancho
$28,418
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Lakeland
$65,328
Lakeland +
Rio Rancho
$53,141
Unemployment Rate
Lakeland
4.3%
Lakeland +
Rio Rancho
5.9%
Poverty Rate
Lakeland
12.0%
Lakeland +
Rio Rancho
24.2%
Bachelor's Degree+
Lakeland
26.8%
Lakeland +
Rio Rancho
19.6%
| Metric | Lakeland, FL | Rio Rancho, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $60,465 | $50,294 | Lakeland + |
| Per Capita Income | $36,322 | $28,418 | Lakeland + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $65,328 | $53,141 | Lakeland + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.3% | 5.9% | Lakeland + |
| Poverty Rate | 12.0% | 24.2% | Lakeland + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 26.8% | 19.6% | Lakeland + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Lakeland
$312,001
Lakeland +
Rio Rancho
$362,476
Homeownership Rate
Lakeland
61.1%
Rio Rancho
66.4%
Rio Rancho +
| Metric | Lakeland, FL | Rio Rancho, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $312,001 | $362,476 | Lakeland + |
| Homeownership Rate | 61.1% | 66.4% | Rio Rancho + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Lakeland
324
Lakeland +
Rio Rancho
834
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Lakeland
1453
Lakeland +
Rio Rancho
3177
| Metric | Lakeland, FL | Rio Rancho, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 324 | 834 | Lakeland + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1453 | 3177 | Lakeland + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Lakeland
38.9%
Rio Rancho
31.9%
Rio Rancho +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Lakeland
13.3%
Rio Rancho
10.6%
Rio Rancho +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Lakeland
18.3%
Rio Rancho
15.4%
Rio Rancho +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Lakeland
16.4%
Rio Rancho
11.5%
Rio Rancho +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Lakeland
14.9%
Lakeland +
Rio Rancho
15.0%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Lakeland
14.1%
Rio Rancho
10.5%
Rio Rancho +
| Metric | Lakeland, FL | Rio Rancho, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 38.9% | 31.9% | Rio Rancho + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.3% | 10.6% | Rio Rancho + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.3% | 15.4% | Rio Rancho + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 16.4% | 11.5% | Rio Rancho + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.9% | 15.0% | Lakeland + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 14.1% | 10.5% | Rio Rancho + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Lakeland
72.6°F
Rio Rancho
55.7°F
Rio Rancho +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Lakeland
54.8 in
Rio Rancho
12.3 in
Rio Rancho +
| Metric | Lakeland, FL | Rio Rancho, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 72.6°F | 55.7°F | Rio Rancho + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 54.8 in | 12.3 in | Rio Rancho + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Lakeland
7.2 µg/m³
Rio Rancho
6.1 µg/m³
Rio Rancho +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Lakeland
75.0%
Rio Rancho
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Lakeland, FL | Rio Rancho, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.2 µg/m³ | 6.1 µg/m³ | Rio Rancho + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Lakeland
25.6 min
Rio Rancho
19.1 min
Rio Rancho +
| Metric | Lakeland, FL | Rio Rancho, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 25.6 min | 19.1 min | Rio Rancho + |
Which City is Right for You?
Lakeland leads in median household income at $60,465, while lakeland offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $312,001. On public safety, Lakeland is safer with a violent crime rate of 324 per 100,000 residents, compared to 834 in Rio Rancho. Lakeland has a lower unemployment rate at 4.3%, 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
Lakeland, FL vs New York, NYLakeland, FL vs Los Angeles, CAChicago, IL vs Lakeland, FLHouston, TX vs Lakeland, FLLakeland, FL vs Phoenix, AZLakeland, FL vs Philadelphia, PA