Baton Rouge LA 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)
Baton Rouge, LA
Louisiana · Population: 223,699
- Median HH Income$49,944
- Median Home Price$231,011
- Unemployment9.0%
- Bachelor's+35.8%
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
Baton Rouge
223,699
Baton Rouge +
Rockford
147,649
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Baton Rouge
N/A
Rockford
N/A
Median Age
Baton Rouge
31.8
Baton Rouge +
Rockford
37.5
Foreign Born
Baton Rouge
7.4%
Rockford
12.3%
Rockford +
White
Baton Rouge
36.2%
Rockford
55.5%
Rockford +
Black
Baton Rouge
51.0%
Baton Rouge +
Rockford
21.8%
Asian
Baton Rouge
3.6%
Rockford
3.7%
Rockford +
Hispanic
Baton Rouge
6.5%
Rockford
20.6%
Rockford +
Spanish at Home
Baton Rouge
N/A
Rockford
N/A
| Metric | Baton Rouge, LA | Rockford, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 223,699 | 147,649 | Baton Rouge + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 31.8 | 37.5 | Baton Rouge + |
| Foreign Born | 7.4% | 12.3% | Rockford + |
| White | 36.2% | 55.5% | Rockford + |
| Black | 51.0% | 21.8% | Baton Rouge + |
| Asian | 3.6% | 3.7% | Rockford + |
| Hispanic | 6.5% | 20.6% | Rockford + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Baton Rouge
$49,944
Rockford
$53,328
Rockford +
Per Capita Income
Baton Rouge
$33,415
Baton Rouge +
Rockford
$30,409
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Baton Rouge
$55,297
Rockford
$68,110
Rockford +
Unemployment Rate
Baton Rouge
9.0%
Rockford
8.6%
Rockford +
Poverty Rate
Baton Rouge
25.0%
Rockford
21.9%
Rockford +
Bachelor's Degree+
Baton Rouge
35.8%
Baton Rouge +
Rockford
23.2%
| Metric | Baton Rouge, LA | Rockford, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $49,944 | $53,328 | Rockford + |
| Per Capita Income | $33,415 | $30,409 | Baton Rouge + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $55,297 | $68,110 | Rockford + |
| Unemployment Rate | 9.0% | 8.6% | Rockford + |
| Poverty Rate | 25.0% | 21.9% | Rockford + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 35.8% | 23.2% | Baton Rouge + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Baton Rouge
$231,011
Rockford
$180,220
Rockford +
Homeownership Rate
Baton Rouge
46.9%
Rockford
53.8%
Rockford +
| Metric | Baton Rouge, LA | Rockford, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $231,011 | $180,220 | Rockford + |
| Homeownership Rate | 46.9% | 53.8% | Rockford + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Baton Rouge
643
Rockford
344
Rockford +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Baton Rouge
2824
Rockford
1842
Rockford +
| Metric | Baton Rouge, LA | Rockford, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 643 | 344 | Rockford + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2824 | 1842 | Rockford + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Baton Rouge
37.9%
Baton Rouge +
Rockford
44.7%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Baton Rouge
15.3%
Baton Rouge +
Rockford
15.4%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Baton Rouge
21.0%
Rockford
19.0%
Rockford +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Baton Rouge
9.6%
Baton Rouge +
Rockford
14.0%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Baton Rouge
16.3%
Rockford
15.5%
Rockford +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Baton Rouge
16.7%
Baton Rouge +
Rockford
18.1%
| Metric | Baton Rouge, LA | Rockford, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 37.9% | 44.7% | Baton Rouge + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 15.3% | 15.4% | Baton Rouge + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 21.0% | 19.0% | Rockford + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.6% | 14.0% | Baton Rouge + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.3% | 15.5% | Rockford + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 16.7% | 18.1% | Baton Rouge + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Baton Rouge
N/A
Rockford
49.2°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Baton Rouge
64.8 in
Rockford
36.2 in
Rockford +
| Metric | Baton Rouge, LA | Rockford, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 49.2°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 64.8 in | 36.2 in | Rockford + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Baton Rouge
8.9 µg/m³
Baton Rouge +
Rockford
9.4 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Baton Rouge
75.0%
Baton Rouge +
Rockford
55.0%
| Metric | Baton Rouge, LA | Rockford, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.9 µg/m³ | 9.4 µg/m³ | Baton Rouge + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Baton Rouge + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Baton Rouge
23.1 min
Rockford
22.7 min
Rockford +
| Metric | Baton Rouge, LA | Rockford, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 23.1 min | 22.7 min | Rockford + |
Which City is Right for You?
Rockford leads in median household income at $53,328, 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 643 in Baton Rouge. Rockford has a lower unemployment rate at 8.6%, and Baton Rouge has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Baton Rouge scores better with a lower obesity rate of 37.9%.
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