Carmel IN 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)
Carmel, IN
Indiana · Population: 100,501
- Median HH Income$134,602
- Median Home Price$570,592
- Unemployment2.7%
- Bachelor's+74.5%
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
Carmel
100,501
Rockford
147,649
Rockford +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Carmel
N/A
Rockford
N/A
Median Age
Carmel
40.5
Rockford
37.5
Rockford +
Foreign Born
Carmel
12.9%
Carmel +
Rockford
12.3%
White
Carmel
77.5%
Carmel +
Rockford
55.5%
Black
Carmel
3.7%
Rockford
21.8%
Rockford +
Asian
Carmel
11.6%
Carmel +
Rockford
3.7%
Hispanic
Carmel
5.0%
Rockford
20.6%
Rockford +
Spanish at Home
Carmel
N/A
Rockford
N/A
| Metric | Carmel, IN | Rockford, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 100,501 | 147,649 | Rockford + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 40.5 | 37.5 | Rockford + |
| Foreign Born | 12.9% | 12.3% | Carmel + |
| White | 77.5% | 55.5% | Carmel + |
| Black | 3.7% | 21.8% | Rockford + |
| Asian | 11.6% | 3.7% | Carmel + |
| Hispanic | 5.0% | 20.6% | Rockford + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Carmel
$134,602
Carmel +
Rockford
$53,328
Per Capita Income
Carmel
$71,546
Carmel +
Rockford
$30,409
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Carmel
$58,697
Rockford
$68,110
Rockford +
Unemployment Rate
Carmel
2.7%
Carmel +
Rockford
8.6%
Poverty Rate
Carmel
3.7%
Carmel +
Rockford
21.9%
Bachelor's Degree+
Carmel
74.5%
Carmel +
Rockford
23.2%
| Metric | Carmel, IN | Rockford, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $134,602 | $53,328 | Carmel + |
| Per Capita Income | $71,546 | $30,409 | Carmel + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,697 | $68,110 | Rockford + |
| Unemployment Rate | 2.7% | 8.6% | Carmel + |
| Poverty Rate | 3.7% | 21.9% | Carmel + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 74.5% | 23.2% | Carmel + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Carmel
$570,592
Rockford
$180,220
Rockford +
Homeownership Rate
Carmel
74.6%
Carmel +
Rockford
53.8%
| Metric | Carmel, IN | Rockford, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $570,592 | $180,220 | Rockford + |
| Homeownership Rate | 74.6% | 53.8% | Carmel + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Carmel
370
Rockford
344
Rockford +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Carmel
1719
Carmel +
Rockford
1842
| Metric | Carmel, IN | Rockford, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 370 | 344 | Rockford + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1719 | 1842 | Carmel + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Carmel
30.8%
Carmel +
Rockford
44.7%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Carmel
9.6%
Carmel +
Rockford
15.4%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Carmel
12.5%
Carmel +
Rockford
19.0%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Carmel
4.4%
Carmel +
Rockford
14.0%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Carmel
16.2%
Rockford
15.5%
Rockford +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Carmel
8.2%
Carmel +
Rockford
18.1%
| Metric | Carmel, IN | Rockford, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 30.8% | 44.7% | Carmel + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 9.6% | 15.4% | Carmel + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 12.5% | 19.0% | Carmel + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 4.4% | 14.0% | Carmel + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.2% | 15.5% | Rockford + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 8.2% | 18.1% | Carmel + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Carmel
51.6°F
Rockford
49.2°F
Rockford +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Carmel
42.2 in
Rockford
36.2 in
Rockford +
| Metric | Carmel, IN | Rockford, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 51.6°F | 49.2°F | Rockford + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 42.2 in | 36.2 in | Rockford + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Carmel
10.1 µg/m³
Rockford
9.4 µg/m³
Rockford +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Carmel
55.0%
Rockford
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Carmel, IN | Rockford, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 10.1 µg/m³ | 9.4 µg/m³ | Rockford + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 55.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Carmel
26.4 min
Rockford
22.7 min
Rockford +
| Metric | Carmel, IN | Rockford, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 26.4 min | 22.7 min | Rockford + |
Which City is Right for You?
Carmel leads in median household income at $134,602, 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 370 in Carmel. Carmel has a lower unemployment rate at 2.7%, and Rockford has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 9.4 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Carmel scores better with a lower obesity rate of 30.8%.
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