Cleveland OH 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)
Cleveland, OH
Ohio · Population: 367,523
- Median HH Income$39,187
- Median Home Price$117,703
- Unemployment11.5%
- Bachelor's+21.3%
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
Cleveland
367,523
Cleveland +
Rockford
147,649
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Cleveland
N/A
Rockford
N/A
Median Age
Cleveland
36.3
Cleveland +
Rockford
37.5
Foreign Born
Cleveland
6.1%
Rockford
12.3%
Rockford +
White
Cleveland
36.7%
Rockford
55.5%
Rockford +
Black
Cleveland
46.8%
Cleveland +
Rockford
21.8%
Asian
Cleveland
2.3%
Rockford
3.7%
Rockford +
Hispanic
Cleveland
12.8%
Rockford
20.6%
Rockford +
Spanish at Home
Cleveland
N/A
Rockford
N/A
| Metric | Cleveland, OH | Rockford, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 367,523 | 147,649 | Cleveland + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.3 | 37.5 | Cleveland + |
| Foreign Born | 6.1% | 12.3% | Rockford + |
| White | 36.7% | 55.5% | Rockford + |
| Black | 46.8% | 21.8% | Cleveland + |
| Asian | 2.3% | 3.7% | Rockford + |
| Hispanic | 12.8% | 20.6% | Rockford + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Cleveland
$39,187
Rockford
$53,328
Rockford +
Per Capita Income
Cleveland
$27,078
Rockford
$30,409
Rockford +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Cleveland
$58,300
Rockford
$68,110
Rockford +
Unemployment Rate
Cleveland
11.5%
Rockford
8.6%
Rockford +
Poverty Rate
Cleveland
30.8%
Rockford
21.9%
Rockford +
Bachelor's Degree+
Cleveland
21.3%
Rockford
23.2%
Rockford +
| Metric | Cleveland, OH | Rockford, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $39,187 | $53,328 | Rockford + |
| Per Capita Income | $27,078 | $30,409 | Rockford + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,300 | $68,110 | Rockford + |
| Unemployment Rate | 11.5% | 8.6% | Rockford + |
| Poverty Rate | 30.8% | 21.9% | Rockford + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 21.3% | 23.2% | Rockford + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Cleveland
$117,703
Cleveland +
Rockford
$180,220
Homeownership Rate
Cleveland
41.2%
Rockford
53.8%
Rockford +
| Metric | Cleveland, OH | Rockford, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $117,703 | $180,220 | Cleveland + |
| Homeownership Rate | 41.2% | 53.8% | Rockford + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Cleveland
319
Cleveland +
Rockford
344
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Cleveland
1866
Rockford
1842
Rockford +
| Metric | Cleveland, OH | Rockford, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 319 | 344 | Cleveland + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1866 | 1842 | Rockford + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Cleveland
42.2%
Cleveland +
Rockford
44.7%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Cleveland
17.7%
Rockford
15.4%
Rockford +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Cleveland
19.6%
Rockford
19.0%
Rockford +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Cleveland
13.4%
Cleveland +
Rockford
14.0%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Cleveland
16.2%
Rockford
15.5%
Rockford +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Cleveland
21.5%
Rockford
18.1%
Rockford +
| Metric | Cleveland, OH | Rockford, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 42.2% | 44.7% | Cleveland + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 17.7% | 15.4% | Rockford + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.6% | 19.0% | Rockford + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 13.4% | 14.0% | Cleveland + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.2% | 15.5% | Rockford + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 21.5% | 18.1% | Rockford + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Cleveland
52.7°F
Rockford
49.2°F
Rockford +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Cleveland
36.4 in
Rockford
36.2 in
Rockford +
| Metric | Cleveland, OH | Rockford, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 52.7°F | 49.2°F | Rockford + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 36.4 in | 36.2 in | Rockford + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Cleveland
10.3 µg/m³
Rockford
9.4 µg/m³
Rockford +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Cleveland
55.0%
Rockford
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Cleveland, OH | Rockford, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 10.3 µg/m³ | 9.4 µg/m³ | Rockford + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 55.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Cleveland
24.3 min
Rockford
22.7 min
Rockford +
| Metric | Cleveland, OH | Rockford, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 24.3 min | 22.7 min | Rockford + |
Which City is Right for You?
Rockford leads in median household income at $53,328, while cleveland offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $117,703. On public safety, Cleveland is safer with a violent crime rate of 319 per 100,000 residents, compared to 344 in Rockford. Rockford has a lower unemployment rate at 8.6%, and Rockford has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 9.4 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Cleveland scores better with a lower obesity rate of 42.2%.
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