Rio Rancho NM vs Sterling Heights MI — Cost of Living, Crime & Income Comparison 2026
Updated May 2026 · Source: US Census ACS 5-Year (2023), FBI CDE (2023), BLS OEWS (2024)
Rio Rancho, NM
New Mexico · Population: 47,823
- Median HH Income$50,294
- Median Home Price$362,476
- Unemployment5.9%
- Bachelor's+19.6%
Sterling Heights, MI
Michigan · Population: 133,473
- Median HH Income$78,429
- Median Home Price$309,742
- Unemployment6.2%
- Bachelor's+31.2%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Rio Rancho
47,823
Sterling Heights
133,473
Sterling Heights +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Rio Rancho
N/A
Sterling Heights
N/A
Median Age
Rio Rancho
36.8
Rio Rancho +
Sterling Heights
41.5
Foreign Born
Rio Rancho
11.6%
Sterling Heights
27.4%
Sterling Heights +
White
Rio Rancho
62.2%
Sterling Heights
78.9%
Sterling Heights +
Black
Rio Rancho
1.8%
Sterling Heights
6.6%
Sterling Heights +
Asian
Rio Rancho
1.6%
Sterling Heights
9.0%
Sterling Heights +
Hispanic
Rio Rancho
61.1%
Rio Rancho +
Sterling Heights
2.4%
Spanish at Home
Rio Rancho
N/A
Sterling Heights
N/A
| Metric | Rio Rancho, NM | Sterling Heights, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 47,823 | 133,473 | Sterling Heights + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.8 | 41.5 | Rio Rancho + |
| Foreign Born | 11.6% | 27.4% | Sterling Heights + |
| White | 62.2% | 78.9% | Sterling Heights + |
| Black | 1.8% | 6.6% | Sterling Heights + |
| Asian | 1.6% | 9.0% | Sterling Heights + |
| Hispanic | 61.1% | 2.4% | Rio Rancho + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Rio Rancho
$50,294
Sterling Heights
$78,429
Sterling Heights +
Per Capita Income
Rio Rancho
$28,418
Sterling Heights
$37,315
Sterling Heights +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Rio Rancho
$53,141
Sterling Heights
$58,052
Sterling Heights +
Unemployment Rate
Rio Rancho
5.9%
Rio Rancho +
Sterling Heights
6.2%
Poverty Rate
Rio Rancho
24.2%
Sterling Heights
10.6%
Sterling Heights +
Bachelor's Degree+
Rio Rancho
19.6%
Sterling Heights
31.2%
Sterling Heights +
| Metric | Rio Rancho, NM | Sterling Heights, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $50,294 | $78,429 | Sterling Heights + |
| Per Capita Income | $28,418 | $37,315 | Sterling Heights + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $53,141 | $58,052 | Sterling Heights + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.9% | 6.2% | Rio Rancho + |
| Poverty Rate | 24.2% | 10.6% | Sterling Heights + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 19.6% | 31.2% | Sterling Heights + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Rio Rancho
$362,476
Sterling Heights
$309,742
Sterling Heights +
Homeownership Rate
Rio Rancho
66.4%
Sterling Heights
76.4%
Sterling Heights +
| Metric | Rio Rancho, NM | Sterling Heights, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $362,476 | $309,742 | Sterling Heights + |
| Homeownership Rate | 66.4% | 76.4% | Sterling Heights + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Rio Rancho
834
Sterling Heights
471
Sterling Heights +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Rio Rancho
3177
Sterling Heights
1590
Sterling Heights +
| Metric | Rio Rancho, NM | Sterling Heights, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 834 | 471 | Sterling Heights + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 3177 | 1590 | Sterling Heights + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Rio Rancho
31.9%
Rio Rancho +
Sterling Heights
36.0%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Rio Rancho
10.6%
Rio Rancho +
Sterling Heights
11.5%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Rio Rancho
15.4%
Rio Rancho +
Sterling Heights
17.2%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Rio Rancho
11.5%
Sterling Heights
6.7%
Sterling Heights +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Rio Rancho
15.0%
Rio Rancho +
Sterling Heights
16.4%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Rio Rancho
10.5%
Rio Rancho +
Sterling Heights
15.3%
| Metric | Rio Rancho, NM | Sterling Heights, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 31.9% | 36.0% | Rio Rancho + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 10.6% | 11.5% | Rio Rancho + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 15.4% | 17.2% | Rio Rancho + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.5% | 6.7% | Sterling Heights + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.0% | 16.4% | Rio Rancho + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 10.5% | 15.3% | Rio Rancho + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Rio Rancho
55.7°F
Sterling Heights
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Rio Rancho
12.3 in
Sterling Heights
N/A
| Metric | Rio Rancho, NM | Sterling Heights, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 55.7°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 12.3 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Rio Rancho
6.1 µg/m³
Rio Rancho +
Sterling Heights
10.7 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Rio Rancho
75.0%
Rio Rancho +
Sterling Heights
55.0%
| Metric | Rio Rancho, NM | Sterling Heights, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 6.1 µg/m³ | 10.7 µg/m³ | Rio Rancho + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Rio Rancho + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Rio Rancho
19.1 min
Rio Rancho +
Sterling Heights
27.5 min
| Metric | Rio Rancho, NM | Sterling Heights, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 19.1 min | 27.5 min | Rio Rancho + |
Which City is Right for You?
Sterling Heights leads in median household income at $78,429, while sterling Heights offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $309,742. On public safety, Sterling Heights 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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