Bend OR 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)
Bend, OR
Oregon · Population: 97,502
- Median HH Income$94,279
- Median Home Price$735,193
- Unemployment4.2%
- Bachelor's+49.3%
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
Bend
97,502
Rockford
147,649
Rockford +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Bend
N/A
Rockford
N/A
Median Age
Bend
37.6
Rockford
37.5
Rockford +
Foreign Born
Bend
17.6%
Bend +
Rockford
12.3%
White
Bend
65.5%
Bend +
Rockford
55.5%
Black
Bend
2.8%
Rockford
21.8%
Rockford +
Asian
Bend
11.4%
Bend +
Rockford
3.7%
Hispanic
Bend
17.3%
Rockford
20.6%
Rockford +
Spanish at Home
Bend
N/A
Rockford
N/A
| Metric | Bend, OR | Rockford, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 97,502 | 147,649 | Rockford + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 37.6 | 37.5 | Rockford + |
| Foreign Born | 17.6% | 12.3% | Bend + |
| White | 65.5% | 55.5% | Bend + |
| Black | 2.8% | 21.8% | Rockford + |
| Asian | 11.4% | 3.7% | Bend + |
| Hispanic | 17.3% | 20.6% | Rockford + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Bend
$94,279
Bend +
Rockford
$53,328
Per Capita Income
Bend
$51,659
Bend +
Rockford
$30,409
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Bend
$63,691
Rockford
$68,110
Rockford +
Unemployment Rate
Bend
4.2%
Bend +
Rockford
8.6%
Poverty Rate
Bend
9.9%
Bend +
Rockford
21.9%
Bachelor's Degree+
Bend
49.3%
Bend +
Rockford
23.2%
| Metric | Bend, OR | Rockford, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $94,279 | $53,328 | Bend + |
| Per Capita Income | $51,659 | $30,409 | Bend + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $63,691 | $68,110 | Rockford + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.2% | 8.6% | Bend + |
| Poverty Rate | 9.9% | 21.9% | Bend + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 49.3% | 23.2% | Bend + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Bend
$735,193
Rockford
$180,220
Rockford +
Homeownership Rate
Bend
49.8%
Rockford
53.8%
Rockford +
| Metric | Bend, OR | Rockford, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $735,193 | $180,220 | Rockford + |
| Homeownership Rate | 49.8% | 53.8% | Rockford + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Bend
355
Rockford
344
Rockford +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Bend
3001
Rockford
1842
Rockford +
| Metric | Bend, OR | Rockford, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 355 | 344 | Rockford + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 3001 | 1842 | Rockford + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Bend
26.5%
Bend +
Rockford
44.7%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Bend
8.9%
Bend +
Rockford
15.4%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Bend
16.0%
Bend +
Rockford
19.0%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Bend
6.5%
Bend +
Rockford
14.0%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Bend
17.7%
Rockford
15.5%
Rockford +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Bend
10.0%
Bend +
Rockford
18.1%
| Metric | Bend, OR | Rockford, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 26.5% | 44.7% | Bend + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 8.9% | 15.4% | Bend + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.0% | 19.0% | Bend + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 6.5% | 14.0% | Bend + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 17.7% | 15.5% | Rockford + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 10.0% | 18.1% | Bend + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Bend
46.6°F
Bend +
Rockford
49.2°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Bend
11.4 in
Bend +
Rockford
36.2 in
| Metric | Bend, OR | Rockford, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 46.6°F | 49.2°F | Bend + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 11.4 in | 36.2 in | Bend + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Bend
9.0 µg/m³
Bend +
Rockford
9.4 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Bend
55.0%
Rockford
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Bend, OR | Rockford, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.0 µg/m³ | 9.4 µg/m³ | Bend + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 55.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Bend
26.1 min
Rockford
22.7 min
Rockford +
| Metric | Bend, OR | Rockford, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 26.1 min | 22.7 min | Rockford + |
Which City is Right for You?
Bend leads in median household income at $94,279, 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 355 in Bend. Bend has a lower unemployment rate at 4.2%, and Bend has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 9.0 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Bend scores better with a lower obesity rate of 26.5%.
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