Lansing 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)
Lansing, MI
Michigan · Population: 112,546
- Median HH Income$52,170
- Median Home Price$166,132
- Unemployment8.1%
- Bachelor's+29.6%
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
Lansing
112,546
Lansing +
Rio Rancho
47,823
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Lansing
N/A
Rio Rancho
N/A
Median Age
Lansing
33.5
Lansing +
Rio Rancho
36.8
Foreign Born
Lansing
10.1%
Rio Rancho
11.6%
Rio Rancho +
White
Lansing
56.1%
Rio Rancho
62.2%
Rio Rancho +
Black
Lansing
23.4%
Lansing +
Rio Rancho
1.8%
Asian
Lansing
5.3%
Lansing +
Rio Rancho
1.6%
Hispanic
Lansing
12.9%
Rio Rancho
61.1%
Rio Rancho +
Spanish at Home
Lansing
N/A
Rio Rancho
N/A
| Metric | Lansing, MI | Rio Rancho, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 112,546 | 47,823 | Lansing + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 33.5 | 36.8 | Lansing + |
| Foreign Born | 10.1% | 11.6% | Rio Rancho + |
| White | 56.1% | 62.2% | Rio Rancho + |
| Black | 23.4% | 1.8% | Lansing + |
| Asian | 5.3% | 1.6% | Lansing + |
| Hispanic | 12.9% | 61.1% | Rio Rancho + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Lansing
$52,170
Lansing +
Rio Rancho
$50,294
Per Capita Income
Lansing
$29,894
Lansing +
Rio Rancho
$28,418
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Lansing
$58,052
Lansing +
Rio Rancho
$53,141
Unemployment Rate
Lansing
8.1%
Rio Rancho
5.9%
Rio Rancho +
Poverty Rate
Lansing
19.9%
Lansing +
Rio Rancho
24.2%
Bachelor's Degree+
Lansing
29.6%
Lansing +
Rio Rancho
19.6%
| Metric | Lansing, MI | Rio Rancho, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $52,170 | $50,294 | Lansing + |
| Per Capita Income | $29,894 | $28,418 | Lansing + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,052 | $53,141 | Lansing + |
| Unemployment Rate | 8.1% | 5.9% | Rio Rancho + |
| Poverty Rate | 19.9% | 24.2% | Lansing + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 29.6% | 19.6% | Lansing + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Lansing
$166,132
Lansing +
Rio Rancho
$362,476
Homeownership Rate
Lansing
53.9%
Rio Rancho
66.4%
Rio Rancho +
| Metric | Lansing, MI | Rio Rancho, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $166,132 | $362,476 | Lansing + |
| Homeownership Rate | 53.9% | 66.4% | Rio Rancho + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Lansing
471
Lansing +
Rio Rancho
834
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Lansing
1590
Lansing +
Rio Rancho
3177
| Metric | Lansing, MI | Rio Rancho, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 471 | 834 | Lansing + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1590 | 3177 | Lansing + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Lansing
39.9%
Rio Rancho
31.9%
Rio Rancho +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Lansing
12.4%
Rio Rancho
10.6%
Rio Rancho +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Lansing
19.6%
Rio Rancho
15.4%
Rio Rancho +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Lansing
9.3%
Lansing +
Rio Rancho
11.5%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Lansing
16.4%
Rio Rancho
15.0%
Rio Rancho +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Lansing
16.8%
Rio Rancho
10.5%
Rio Rancho +
| Metric | Lansing, MI | Rio Rancho, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 39.9% | 31.9% | Rio Rancho + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.4% | 10.6% | Rio Rancho + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.6% | 15.4% | Rio Rancho + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.3% | 11.5% | Lansing + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.4% | 15.0% | Rio Rancho + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 16.8% | 10.5% | Rio Rancho + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Lansing
48.8°F
Lansing +
Rio Rancho
55.7°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Lansing
32.2 in
Rio Rancho
12.3 in
Rio Rancho +
| Metric | Lansing, MI | Rio Rancho, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 48.8°F | 55.7°F | Lansing + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 32.2 in | 12.3 in | Rio Rancho + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Lansing
10.7 µg/m³
Rio Rancho
6.1 µg/m³
Rio Rancho +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Lansing
55.0%
Rio Rancho
75.0%
Rio Rancho +
| Metric | Lansing, 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
Lansing
21.2 min
Rio Rancho
19.1 min
Rio Rancho +
| Metric | Lansing, MI | Rio Rancho, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 21.2 min | 19.1 min | Rio Rancho + |
Which City is Right for You?
Lansing leads in median household income at $52,170, while lansing offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $166,132. On public safety, Lansing 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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