Baltimore MD 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)
Baltimore, MD
Maryland · Population: 577,193
- Median HH Income$59,623
- Median Home Price$191,668
- Unemployment6.6%
- Bachelor's+35.4%
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
Baltimore
577,193
Baltimore +
Rockford
147,649
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Baltimore
N/A
Rockford
N/A
Median Age
Baltimore
36.1
Baltimore +
Rockford
37.5
Foreign Born
Baltimore
8.8%
Rockford
12.3%
Rockford +
White
Baltimore
27.4%
Rockford
55.5%
Rockford +
Black
Baltimore
60.0%
Baltimore +
Rockford
21.8%
Asian
Baltimore
2.5%
Rockford
3.7%
Rockford +
Hispanic
Baltimore
7.9%
Rockford
20.6%
Rockford +
Spanish at Home
Baltimore
N/A
Rockford
N/A
| Metric | Baltimore, MD | Rockford, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 577,193 | 147,649 | Baltimore + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.1 | 37.5 | Baltimore + |
| Foreign Born | 8.8% | 12.3% | Rockford + |
| White | 27.4% | 55.5% | Rockford + |
| Black | 60.0% | 21.8% | Baltimore + |
| Asian | 2.5% | 3.7% | Rockford + |
| Hispanic | 7.9% | 20.6% | Rockford + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Baltimore
$59,623
Baltimore +
Rockford
$53,328
Per Capita Income
Baltimore
$39,195
Baltimore +
Rockford
$30,409
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Baltimore
$70,886
Baltimore +
Rockford
$68,110
Unemployment Rate
Baltimore
6.6%
Baltimore +
Rockford
8.6%
Poverty Rate
Baltimore
20.1%
Baltimore +
Rockford
21.9%
Bachelor's Degree+
Baltimore
35.4%
Baltimore +
Rockford
23.2%
| Metric | Baltimore, MD | Rockford, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $59,623 | $53,328 | Baltimore + |
| Per Capita Income | $39,195 | $30,409 | Baltimore + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $70,886 | $68,110 | Baltimore + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.6% | 8.6% | Baltimore + |
| Poverty Rate | 20.1% | 21.9% | Baltimore + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 35.4% | 23.2% | Baltimore + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Baltimore
$191,668
Rockford
$180,220
Rockford +
Homeownership Rate
Baltimore
47.5%
Rockford
53.8%
Rockford +
| Metric | Baltimore, MD | Rockford, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $191,668 | $180,220 | Rockford + |
| Homeownership Rate | 47.5% | 53.8% | Rockford + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Baltimore
433
Rockford
344
Rockford +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Baltimore
1724
Baltimore +
Rockford
1842
| Metric | Baltimore, MD | Rockford, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 433 | 344 | Rockford + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1724 | 1842 | Baltimore + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Baltimore
38.1%
Baltimore +
Rockford
44.7%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Baltimore
14.4%
Baltimore +
Rockford
15.4%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Baltimore
18.6%
Baltimore +
Rockford
19.0%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Baltimore
10.4%
Baltimore +
Rockford
14.0%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Baltimore
16.0%
Rockford
15.5%
Rockford +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Baltimore
16.1%
Baltimore +
Rockford
18.1%
| Metric | Baltimore, MD | Rockford, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 38.1% | 44.7% | Baltimore + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 14.4% | 15.4% | Baltimore + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.6% | 19.0% | Baltimore + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 10.4% | 14.0% | Baltimore + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.0% | 15.5% | Rockford + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 16.1% | 18.1% | Baltimore + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Baltimore
55.1°F
Rockford
49.2°F
Rockford +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Baltimore
41.9 in
Rockford
36.2 in
Rockford +
| Metric | Baltimore, MD | Rockford, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 55.1°F | 49.2°F | Rockford + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 41.9 in | 36.2 in | Rockford + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Baltimore
7.6 µg/m³
Baltimore +
Rockford
9.4 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Baltimore
75.0%
Baltimore +
Rockford
55.0%
| Metric | Baltimore, MD | Rockford, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.6 µg/m³ | 9.4 µg/m³ | Baltimore + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Baltimore + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Baltimore
31.6 min
Rockford
22.7 min
Rockford +
| Metric | Baltimore, MD | Rockford, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 31.6 min | 22.7 min | Rockford + |
Which City is Right for You?
Baltimore leads in median household income at $59,623, 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 433 in Baltimore. Baltimore has a lower unemployment rate at 6.6%, and Baltimore has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.6 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Baltimore scores better with a lower obesity rate of 38.1%.
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