Anaheim CA vs Rockford IL — Cost of Living, Crime & Income Comparison 2026
Updated May 2026 · Source: US Census ACS 5-Year (2023), FBI CDE (2023), BLS OEWS (2024)
Anaheim, CA
California · Population: 344,553
- Median HH Income$90,583
- Median Home Price$952,227
- Unemployment5.5%
- Bachelor's+28.7%
Rockford, IL
Illinois · Population: 147,649
- Median HH Income$53,328
- Median Home Price$180,220
- Unemployment8.6%
- Bachelor's+23.2%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Anaheim
344,553
Anaheim +
Rockford
147,649
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Anaheim
N/A
Rockford
N/A
Median Age
Anaheim
35.9
Anaheim +
Rockford
37.5
Foreign Born
Anaheim
35.2%
Anaheim +
Rockford
12.3%
White
Anaheim
41.2%
Rockford
55.5%
Rockford +
Black
Anaheim
2.5%
Rockford
21.8%
Rockford +
Asian
Anaheim
18.6%
Anaheim +
Rockford
3.7%
Hispanic
Anaheim
52.5%
Anaheim +
Rockford
20.6%
Spanish at Home
Anaheim
N/A
Rockford
N/A
| Metric | Anaheim, CA | Rockford, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 344,553 | 147,649 | Anaheim + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.9 | 37.5 | Anaheim + |
| Foreign Born | 35.2% | 12.3% | Anaheim + |
| White | 41.2% | 55.5% | Rockford + |
| Black | 2.5% | 21.8% | Rockford + |
| Asian | 18.6% | 3.7% | Anaheim + |
| Hispanic | 52.5% | 20.6% | Anaheim + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Anaheim
$90,583
Anaheim +
Rockford
$53,328
Per Capita Income
Anaheim
$36,541
Anaheim +
Rockford
$30,409
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Anaheim
$77,230
Anaheim +
Rockford
$68,110
Unemployment Rate
Anaheim
5.5%
Anaheim +
Rockford
8.6%
Poverty Rate
Anaheim
12.5%
Anaheim +
Rockford
21.9%
Bachelor's Degree+
Anaheim
28.7%
Anaheim +
Rockford
23.2%
| Metric | Anaheim, CA | Rockford, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $90,583 | $53,328 | Anaheim + |
| Per Capita Income | $36,541 | $30,409 | Anaheim + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,230 | $68,110 | Anaheim + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.5% | 8.6% | Anaheim + |
| Poverty Rate | 12.5% | 21.9% | Anaheim + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 28.7% | 23.2% | Anaheim + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Anaheim
$952,227
Rockford
$180,220
Rockford +
Homeownership Rate
Anaheim
45.9%
Rockford
53.8%
Rockford +
| Metric | Anaheim, CA | Rockford, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $952,227 | $180,220 | Rockford + |
| Homeownership Rate | 45.9% | 53.8% | Rockford + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Anaheim
503
Rockford
344
Rockford +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Anaheim
2388
Rockford
1842
Rockford +
| Metric | Anaheim, CA | Rockford, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 503 | 344 | Rockford + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2388 | 1842 | Rockford + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Anaheim
26.8%
Anaheim +
Rockford
44.7%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Anaheim
12.2%
Anaheim +
Rockford
15.4%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Anaheim
18.0%
Anaheim +
Rockford
19.0%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Anaheim
14.7%
Rockford
14.0%
Rockford +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Anaheim
15.4%
Anaheim +
Rockford
15.5%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Anaheim
11.0%
Anaheim +
Rockford
18.1%
| Metric | Anaheim, CA | Rockford, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 26.8% | 44.7% | Anaheim + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.2% | 15.4% | Anaheim + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.0% | 19.0% | Anaheim + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 14.7% | 14.0% | Rockford + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.4% | 15.5% | Anaheim + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 11.0% | 18.1% | Anaheim + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Anaheim
67.1°F
Rockford
49.2°F
Rockford +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Anaheim
13.4 in
Anaheim +
Rockford
36.2 in
| Metric | Anaheim, CA | Rockford, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 67.1°F | 49.2°F | Rockford + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 13.4 in | 36.2 in | Anaheim + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Anaheim
7.9 µg/m³
Anaheim +
Rockford
9.4 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Anaheim
75.0%
Anaheim +
Rockford
55.0%
| Metric | Anaheim, CA | Rockford, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.9 µg/m³ | 9.4 µg/m³ | Anaheim + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Anaheim + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Anaheim
30.6 min
Rockford
22.7 min
Rockford +
| Metric | Anaheim, CA | Rockford, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 30.6 min | 22.7 min | Rockford + |
Which City is Right for You?
Anaheim leads in median household income at $90,583, while rockford offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $180,220. On public safety, Rockford is safer with a violent crime rate of 344 per 100,000 residents, compared to 503 in Anaheim. Anaheim has a lower unemployment rate at 5.5%, and Anaheim has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Anaheim scores better with a lower obesity rate of 26.8%.
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