Charleston SC 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)
Charleston, SC
South Carolina · Population: 152,014
- Median HH Income$90,038
- Median Home Price$593,739
- Unemployment3.4%
- Bachelor's+57.7%
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
Charleston
152,014
Charleston +
Rockford
147,649
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Charleston
N/A
Rockford
N/A
Median Age
Charleston
36.1
Charleston +
Rockford
37.5
Foreign Born
Charleston
5.4%
Rockford
12.3%
Rockford +
White
Charleston
72.9%
Charleston +
Rockford
55.5%
Black
Charleston
17.4%
Rockford
21.8%
Rockford +
Asian
Charleston
2.2%
Rockford
3.7%
Rockford +
Hispanic
Charleston
5.9%
Rockford
20.6%
Rockford +
Spanish at Home
Charleston
N/A
Rockford
N/A
| Metric | Charleston, SC | Rockford, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 152,014 | 147,649 | Charleston + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.1 | 37.5 | Charleston + |
| Foreign Born | 5.4% | 12.3% | Rockford + |
| White | 72.9% | 55.5% | Charleston + |
| Black | 17.4% | 21.8% | Rockford + |
| Asian | 2.2% | 3.7% | Rockford + |
| Hispanic | 5.9% | 20.6% | Rockford + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Charleston
$90,038
Charleston +
Rockford
$53,328
Per Capita Income
Charleston
$58,583
Charleston +
Rockford
$30,409
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Charleston
$54,550
Rockford
$68,110
Rockford +
Unemployment Rate
Charleston
3.4%
Charleston +
Rockford
8.6%
Poverty Rate
Charleston
12.0%
Charleston +
Rockford
21.9%
Bachelor's Degree+
Charleston
57.7%
Charleston +
Rockford
23.2%
| Metric | Charleston, SC | Rockford, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $90,038 | $53,328 | Charleston + |
| Per Capita Income | $58,583 | $30,409 | Charleston + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $54,550 | $68,110 | Rockford + |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.4% | 8.6% | Charleston + |
| Poverty Rate | 12.0% | 21.9% | Charleston + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 57.7% | 23.2% | Charleston + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Charleston
$593,739
Rockford
$180,220
Rockford +
Homeownership Rate
Charleston
55.6%
Charleston +
Rockford
53.8%
| Metric | Charleston, SC | Rockford, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $593,739 | $180,220 | Rockford + |
| Homeownership Rate | 55.6% | 53.8% | Charleston + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Charleston
398
Rockford
344
Rockford +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Charleston
1999
Rockford
1842
Rockford +
| Metric | Charleston, SC | Rockford, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 398 | 344 | Rockford + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1999 | 1842 | Rockford + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Charleston
28.7%
Charleston +
Rockford
44.7%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Charleston
9.5%
Charleston +
Rockford
15.4%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Charleston
15.1%
Charleston +
Rockford
19.0%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Charleston
8.7%
Charleston +
Rockford
14.0%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Charleston
22.9%
Rockford
15.5%
Rockford +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Charleston
9.5%
Charleston +
Rockford
18.1%
| Metric | Charleston, SC | Rockford, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 28.7% | 44.7% | Charleston + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 9.5% | 15.4% | Charleston + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 15.1% | 19.0% | Charleston + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 8.7% | 14.0% | Charleston + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 22.9% | 15.5% | Rockford + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 9.5% | 18.1% | Charleston + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Charleston
65.9°F
Rockford
49.2°F
Rockford +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Charleston
51.0 in
Rockford
36.2 in
Rockford +
| Metric | Charleston, SC | Rockford, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 65.9°F | 49.2°F | Rockford + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 51.0 in | 36.2 in | Rockford + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Charleston
8.6 µg/m³
Charleston +
Rockford
9.4 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Charleston
75.0%
Charleston +
Rockford
55.0%
| Metric | Charleston, SC | Rockford, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.6 µg/m³ | 9.4 µg/m³ | Charleston + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Charleston + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Charleston
25.4 min
Rockford
22.7 min
Rockford +
| Metric | Charleston, SC | Rockford, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 25.4 min | 22.7 min | Rockford + |
Which City is Right for You?
Charleston leads in median household income at $90,038, 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 398 in Charleston. Charleston has a lower unemployment rate at 3.4%, and Charleston has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.6 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Charleston scores better with a lower obesity rate of 28.7%.
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