Rio Rancho NM vs Westland 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%
Westland, MI
Michigan · Population: 84,155
- Median HH Income$62,216
- Median Home Price$215,089
- Unemployment5.3%
- Bachelor's+21.7%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Rio Rancho
47,823
Westland
84,155
Westland +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Rio Rancho
N/A
Westland
N/A
Median Age
Rio Rancho
36.8
Rio Rancho +
Westland
38.2
Foreign Born
Rio Rancho
11.6%
Rio Rancho +
Westland
9.2%
White
Rio Rancho
62.2%
Westland
63.7%
Westland +
Black
Rio Rancho
1.8%
Westland
22.6%
Westland +
Asian
Rio Rancho
1.6%
Westland
3.8%
Westland +
Hispanic
Rio Rancho
61.1%
Rio Rancho +
Westland
5.0%
Spanish at Home
Rio Rancho
N/A
Westland
N/A
| Metric | Rio Rancho, NM | Westland, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 47,823 | 84,155 | Westland + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.8 | 38.2 | Rio Rancho + |
| Foreign Born | 11.6% | 9.2% | Rio Rancho + |
| White | 62.2% | 63.7% | Westland + |
| Black | 1.8% | 22.6% | Westland + |
| Asian | 1.6% | 3.8% | Westland + |
| Hispanic | 61.1% | 5.0% | Rio Rancho + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Rio Rancho
$50,294
Westland
$62,216
Westland +
Per Capita Income
Rio Rancho
$28,418
Westland
$33,816
Westland +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Rio Rancho
$53,141
Westland
$58,052
Westland +
Unemployment Rate
Rio Rancho
5.9%
Westland
5.3%
Westland +
Poverty Rate
Rio Rancho
24.2%
Westland
13.3%
Westland +
Bachelor's Degree+
Rio Rancho
19.6%
Westland
21.7%
Westland +
| Metric | Rio Rancho, NM | Westland, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $50,294 | $62,216 | Westland + |
| Per Capita Income | $28,418 | $33,816 | Westland + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $53,141 | $58,052 | Westland + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.9% | 5.3% | Westland + |
| Poverty Rate | 24.2% | 13.3% | Westland + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 19.6% | 21.7% | Westland + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Rio Rancho
$362,476
Westland
$215,089
Westland +
Homeownership Rate
Rio Rancho
66.4%
Rio Rancho +
Westland
61.1%
| Metric | Rio Rancho, NM | Westland, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $362,476 | $215,089 | Westland + |
| Homeownership Rate | 66.4% | 61.1% | Rio Rancho + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Rio Rancho
834
Westland
471
Westland +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Rio Rancho
3177
Westland
1590
Westland +
| Metric | Rio Rancho, NM | Westland, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 834 | 471 | Westland + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 3177 | 1590 | Westland + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Rio Rancho
31.9%
Rio Rancho +
Westland
34.7%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Rio Rancho
10.6%
Rio Rancho +
Westland
12.3%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Rio Rancho
15.4%
Rio Rancho +
Westland
20.0%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Rio Rancho
11.5%
Westland
7.3%
Westland +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Rio Rancho
15.0%
Rio Rancho +
Westland
15.6%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Rio Rancho
10.5%
Rio Rancho +
Westland
16.6%
| Metric | Rio Rancho, NM | Westland, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 31.9% | 34.7% | Rio Rancho + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 10.6% | 12.3% | Rio Rancho + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 15.4% | 20.0% | Rio Rancho + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.5% | 7.3% | Westland + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.0% | 15.6% | Rio Rancho + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 10.5% | 16.6% | Rio Rancho + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Rio Rancho
55.7°F
Westland
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Rio Rancho
12.3 in
Westland
N/A
| Metric | Rio Rancho, NM | Westland, 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 +
Westland
10.7 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Rio Rancho
75.0%
Rio Rancho +
Westland
55.0%
| Metric | Rio Rancho, NM | Westland, 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 +
Westland
27.0 min
| Metric | Rio Rancho, NM | Westland, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 19.1 min | 27.0 min | Rio Rancho + |
Which City is Right for You?
Westland leads in median household income at $62,216, while westland offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $215,089. On public safety, Westland is safer with a violent crime rate of 471 per 100,000 residents, compared to 834 in Rio Rancho. Westland has a lower unemployment rate at 5.3%, 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%.
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