Charleston WV 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, WV
West Virginia · Population: 47,918
- Median HH Income$64,512
- Median Home Price$164,532
- Unemployment6.3%
- Bachelor's+44.1%
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
47,918
Rockford
147,649
Rockford +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Charleston
N/A
Rockford
N/A
Median Age
Charleston
42.6
Rockford
37.5
Rockford +
Foreign Born
Charleston
3.9%
Rockford
12.3%
Rockford +
White
Charleston
76.6%
Charleston +
Rockford
55.5%
Black
Charleston
11.8%
Rockford
21.8%
Rockford +
Asian
Charleston
2.7%
Rockford
3.7%
Rockford +
Hispanic
Charleston
1.9%
Rockford
20.6%
Rockford +
Spanish at Home
Charleston
N/A
Rockford
N/A
| Metric | Charleston, WV | Rockford, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 47,918 | 147,649 | Rockford + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 42.6 | 37.5 | Rockford + |
| Foreign Born | 3.9% | 12.3% | Rockford + |
| White | 76.6% | 55.5% | Charleston + |
| Black | 11.8% | 21.8% | Rockford + |
| Asian | 2.7% | 3.7% | Rockford + |
| Hispanic | 1.9% | 20.6% | Rockford + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Charleston
$64,512
Charleston +
Rockford
$53,328
Per Capita Income
Charleston
$45,967
Charleston +
Rockford
$30,409
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Charleston
$50,163
Rockford
$68,110
Rockford +
Unemployment Rate
Charleston
6.3%
Charleston +
Rockford
8.6%
Poverty Rate
Charleston
16.5%
Charleston +
Rockford
21.9%
Bachelor's Degree+
Charleston
44.1%
Charleston +
Rockford
23.2%
| Metric | Charleston, WV | Rockford, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $64,512 | $53,328 | Charleston + |
| Per Capita Income | $45,967 | $30,409 | Charleston + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $50,163 | $68,110 | Rockford + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.3% | 8.6% | Charleston + |
| Poverty Rate | 16.5% | 21.9% | Charleston + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 44.1% | 23.2% | Charleston + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Charleston
$164,532
Charleston +
Rockford
$180,220
Homeownership Rate
Charleston
62.7%
Charleston +
Rockford
53.8%
| Metric | Charleston, WV | Rockford, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $164,532 | $180,220 | Charleston + |
| Homeownership Rate | 62.7% | 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, WV | 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
40.2%
Charleston +
Rockford
44.7%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Charleston
15.6%
Rockford
15.4%
Rockford +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Charleston
20.2%
Rockford
19.0%
Rockford +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Charleston
7.4%
Charleston +
Rockford
14.0%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Charleston
14.3%
Charleston +
Rockford
15.5%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Charleston
17.7%
Charleston +
Rockford
18.1%
| Metric | Charleston, WV | Rockford, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 40.2% | 44.7% | Charleston + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 15.6% | 15.4% | Rockford + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 20.2% | 19.0% | Rockford + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 7.4% | 14.0% | Charleston + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.3% | 15.5% | Charleston + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 17.7% | 18.1% | Charleston + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Charleston
53.9°F
Rockford
49.2°F
Rockford +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Charleston
46.2 in
Rockford
36.2 in
Rockford +
| Metric | Charleston, WV | Rockford, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 53.9°F | 49.2°F | Rockford + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 46.2 in | 36.2 in | Rockford + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Charleston
9.3 µg/m³
Charleston +
Rockford
9.4 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Charleston
55.0%
Rockford
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Charleston, WV | Rockford, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.3 µg/m³ | 9.4 µg/m³ | Charleston + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 55.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Charleston
19.2 min
Charleston +
Rockford
22.7 min
| Metric | Charleston, WV | Rockford, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 19.2 min | 22.7 min | Charleston + |
Which City is Right for You?
Charleston leads in median household income at $64,512, while charleston offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $164,532. 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 6.3%, and Charleston has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 9.3 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Charleston scores better with a lower obesity rate of 40.2%.
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