Austin TX 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)
Austin, TX
Texas · Population: 967,862
- Median HH Income$91,461
- Median Home Price$511,264
- Unemployment4.5%
- Bachelor's+58.2%
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
Austin
967,862
Austin +
Rockford
147,649
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Austin
N/A
Rockford
N/A
Median Age
Austin
34.5
Austin +
Rockford
37.5
Foreign Born
Austin
18.1%
Austin +
Rockford
12.3%
White
Austin
59.9%
Austin +
Rockford
55.5%
Black
Austin
7.5%
Rockford
21.8%
Rockford +
Asian
Austin
8.6%
Austin +
Rockford
3.7%
Hispanic
Austin
32.2%
Austin +
Rockford
20.6%
Spanish at Home
Austin
N/A
Rockford
N/A
| Metric | Austin, TX | Rockford, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 967,862 | 147,649 | Austin + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.5 | 37.5 | Austin + |
| Foreign Born | 18.1% | 12.3% | Austin + |
| White | 59.9% | 55.5% | Austin + |
| Black | 7.5% | 21.8% | Rockford + |
| Asian | 8.6% | 3.7% | Austin + |
| Hispanic | 32.2% | 20.6% | Austin + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Austin
$91,461
Austin +
Rockford
$53,328
Per Capita Income
Austin
$59,427
Austin +
Rockford
$30,409
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Austin
$63,758
Rockford
$68,110
Rockford +
Unemployment Rate
Austin
4.5%
Austin +
Rockford
8.6%
Poverty Rate
Austin
12.3%
Austin +
Rockford
21.9%
Bachelor's Degree+
Austin
58.2%
Austin +
Rockford
23.2%
| Metric | Austin, TX | Rockford, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $91,461 | $53,328 | Austin + |
| Per Capita Income | $59,427 | $30,409 | Austin + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $63,758 | $68,110 | Rockford + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.5% | 8.6% | Austin + |
| Poverty Rate | 12.3% | 21.9% | Austin + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 58.2% | 23.2% | Austin + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Austin
$511,264
Rockford
$180,220
Rockford +
Homeownership Rate
Austin
44.4%
Rockford
53.8%
Rockford +
| Metric | Austin, TX | Rockford, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $511,264 | $180,220 | Rockford + |
| Homeownership Rate | 44.4% | 53.8% | Rockford + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Austin
442
Rockford
344
Rockford +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Austin
2339
Rockford
1842
Rockford +
| Metric | Austin, TX | Rockford, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 442 | 344 | Rockford + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2339 | 1842 | Rockford + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Austin
30.1%
Austin +
Rockford
44.7%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Austin
8.1%
Austin +
Rockford
15.4%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Austin
16.9%
Austin +
Rockford
19.0%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Austin
15.1%
Rockford
14.0%
Rockford +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Austin
20.0%
Rockford
15.5%
Rockford +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Austin
9.4%
Austin +
Rockford
18.1%
| Metric | Austin, TX | Rockford, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 30.1% | 44.7% | Austin + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 8.1% | 15.4% | Austin + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.9% | 19.0% | Austin + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 15.1% | 14.0% | Rockford + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 20.0% | 15.5% | Rockford + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 9.4% | 18.1% | Austin + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Austin
67.2°F
Rockford
49.2°F
Rockford +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Austin
34.9 in
Austin +
Rockford
36.2 in
| Metric | Austin, TX | Rockford, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 67.2°F | 49.2°F | Rockford + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 34.9 in | 36.2 in | Austin + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Austin
9.2 µg/m³
Austin +
Rockford
9.4 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Austin
55.0%
Rockford
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Austin, TX | Rockford, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.2 µg/m³ | 9.4 µg/m³ | Austin + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 55.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Austin
25.8 min
Rockford
22.7 min
Rockford +
| Metric | Austin, TX | Rockford, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 25.8 min | 22.7 min | Rockford + |
Which City is Right for You?
Austin leads in median household income at $91,461, 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 442 in Austin. Austin has a lower unemployment rate at 4.5%, and Austin has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 9.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Austin scores better with a lower obesity rate of 30.1%.
Compare More Cities
Austin, TX vs New York, NYAustin, TX vs Los Angeles, CAAustin, TX vs Chicago, ILAustin, TX vs Houston, TXAustin, TX vs Phoenix, AZAustin, TX vs Philadelphia, PA