Boise ID 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)
Boise, ID
Idaho · Population: 235,701
- Median HH Income$81,308
- Median Home Price$504,894
- Unemployment3.8%
- Bachelor's+46.6%
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
Boise
235,701
Boise +
Rockford
147,649
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Boise
N/A
Rockford
N/A
Median Age
Boise
38.2
Rockford
37.5
Rockford +
Foreign Born
Boise
7.2%
Rockford
12.3%
Rockford +
White
Boise
83.6%
Boise +
Rockford
55.5%
Black
Boise
1.4%
Rockford
21.8%
Rockford +
Asian
Boise
3.4%
Rockford
3.7%
Rockford +
Hispanic
Boise
9.5%
Rockford
20.6%
Rockford +
Spanish at Home
Boise
N/A
Rockford
N/A
| Metric | Boise, ID | Rockford, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 235,701 | 147,649 | Boise + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 38.2 | 37.5 | Rockford + |
| Foreign Born | 7.2% | 12.3% | Rockford + |
| White | 83.6% | 55.5% | Boise + |
| Black | 1.4% | 21.8% | Rockford + |
| Asian | 3.4% | 3.7% | Rockford + |
| Hispanic | 9.5% | 20.6% | Rockford + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Boise
$81,308
Boise +
Rockford
$53,328
Per Capita Income
Boise
$48,274
Boise +
Rockford
$30,409
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Boise
$57,074
Rockford
$68,110
Rockford +
Unemployment Rate
Boise
3.8%
Boise +
Rockford
8.6%
Poverty Rate
Boise
10.6%
Boise +
Rockford
21.9%
Bachelor's Degree+
Boise
46.6%
Boise +
Rockford
23.2%
| Metric | Boise, ID | Rockford, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $81,308 | $53,328 | Boise + |
| Per Capita Income | $48,274 | $30,409 | Boise + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $57,074 | $68,110 | Rockford + |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.8% | 8.6% | Boise + |
| Poverty Rate | 10.6% | 21.9% | Boise + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 46.6% | 23.2% | Boise + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Boise
$504,894
Rockford
$180,220
Rockford +
Homeownership Rate
Boise
63.0%
Boise +
Rockford
53.8%
| Metric | Boise, ID | Rockford, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $504,894 | $180,220 | Rockford + |
| Homeownership Rate | 63.0% | 53.8% | Boise + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Boise
251
Boise +
Rockford
344
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Boise
958
Boise +
Rockford
1842
| Metric | Boise, ID | Rockford, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 251 | 344 | Boise + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 958 | 1842 | Boise + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Boise
N/A
Rockford
44.7%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Boise
N/A
Rockford
15.4%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Boise
N/A
Rockford
19.0%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Boise
N/A
Rockford
14.0%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Boise
N/A
Rockford
15.5%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Boise
N/A
Rockford
18.1%
| Metric | Boise, ID | Rockford, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | N/A | 44.7% | - |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | N/A | 15.4% | - |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | N/A | 19.0% | - |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | N/A | 14.0% | - |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | N/A | 15.5% | - |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | N/A | 18.1% | - |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Boise
49.9°F
Rockford
49.2°F
Rockford +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Boise
18.6 in
Boise +
Rockford
36.2 in
| Metric | Boise, ID | Rockford, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 49.9°F | 49.2°F | Rockford + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 18.6 in | 36.2 in | Boise + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Boise
7.7 µg/m³
Boise +
Rockford
9.4 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Boise
75.0%
Boise +
Rockford
55.0%
| Metric | Boise, ID | Rockford, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.7 µg/m³ | 9.4 µg/m³ | Boise + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Boise + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Boise
20.4 min
Boise +
Rockford
22.7 min
| Metric | Boise, ID | Rockford, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 20.4 min | 22.7 min | Boise + |
Which City is Right for You?
Boise leads in median household income at $81,308, while rockford offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $180,220. On public safety, Boise is safer with a violent crime rate of 251 per 100,000 residents, compared to 344 in Rockford. Boise has a lower unemployment rate at 3.8%, and Boise has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.7 µg/m³).
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