Colorado Springs CO 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)

Colorado Springs, CO

Colorado · Population: 483,099

  • Median HH Income$83,198
  • Median Home Price$451,202
  • Unemployment5.5%
  • Bachelor's+41.9%

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
Colorado Springs
483,099
Colorado Springs +
Rockford
147,649
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Colorado Springs
N/A
Rockford
N/A
Median Age
Colorado Springs
35.6
Colorado Springs +
Rockford
37.5
Foreign Born
Colorado Springs
7.4%
Rockford
12.3%
Rockford +
White
Colorado Springs
72.3%
Colorado Springs +
Rockford
55.5%
Black
Colorado Springs
5.8%
Rockford
21.8%
Rockford +
Asian
Colorado Springs
3.0%
Rockford
3.7%
Rockford +
Hispanic
Colorado Springs
18.7%
Rockford
20.6%
Rockford +
Spanish at Home
Colorado Springs
N/A
Rockford
N/A

Economy

Median HH Income
Colorado Springs
$83,198
Colorado Springs +
Rockford
$53,328
Per Capita Income
Colorado Springs
$44,893
Colorado Springs +
Rockford
$30,409
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Colorado Springs
$76,653
Colorado Springs +
Rockford
$68,110
Unemployment Rate
Colorado Springs
5.5%
Colorado Springs +
Rockford
8.6%
Poverty Rate
Colorado Springs
9.3%
Colorado Springs +
Rockford
21.9%
Bachelor's Degree+
Colorado Springs
41.9%
Colorado Springs +
Rockford
23.2%

Housing

Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Colorado Springs
$451,202
Rockford
$180,220
Rockford +
Homeownership Rate
Colorado Springs
61.3%
Colorado Springs +
Rockford
53.8%

Safety

Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Colorado Springs
512
Rockford
344
Rockford +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Colorado Springs
3234
Rockford
1842
Rockford +

Health

Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Colorado Springs
28.4%
Colorado Springs +
Rockford
44.7%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Colorado Springs
9.0%
Colorado Springs +
Rockford
15.4%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Colorado Springs
18.0%
Colorado Springs +
Rockford
19.0%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Colorado Springs
9.9%
Colorado Springs +
Rockford
14.0%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Colorado Springs
16.5%
Rockford
15.5%
Rockford +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Colorado Springs
11.0%
Colorado Springs +
Rockford
18.1%

Climate

Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Colorado Springs
49.0°F
Colorado Springs +
Rockford
49.2°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Colorado Springs
16.5 in
Colorado Springs +
Rockford
36.2 in

Air Quality

PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Colorado Springs
6.2 µg/m³
Colorado Springs +
Rockford
9.4 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Colorado Springs
75.0%
Colorado Springs +
Rockford
55.0%

Commute

Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Colorado Springs
24.1 min
Rockford
22.7 min
Rockford +

Which City is Right for You?

Colorado Springs leads in median household income at $83,198, 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 512 in Colorado Springs. Colorado Springs has a lower unemployment rate at 5.5%, and Colorado Springs has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 6.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Colorado Springs scores better with a lower obesity rate of 28.4%.

Compare More Cities

About Colorado Springs & Rockford