Columbia MO 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)
Columbia, MO
Missouri · Population: 127,200
- Median HH Income$64,488
- Median Home Price$323,876
- Unemployment3.9%
- Bachelor's+56.5%
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
Columbia
127,200
Rockford
147,649
Rockford +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Columbia
N/A
Rockford
N/A
Median Age
Columbia
29.2
Columbia +
Rockford
37.5
Foreign Born
Columbia
8.1%
Rockford
12.3%
Rockford +
White
Columbia
74.3%
Columbia +
Rockford
55.5%
Black
Columbia
12.1%
Rockford
21.8%
Rockford +
Asian
Columbia
6.1%
Columbia +
Rockford
3.7%
Hispanic
Columbia
4.3%
Rockford
20.6%
Rockford +
Spanish at Home
Columbia
N/A
Rockford
N/A
| Metric | Columbia, MO | Rockford, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 127,200 | 147,649 | Rockford + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 29.2 | 37.5 | Columbia + |
| Foreign Born | 8.1% | 12.3% | Rockford + |
| White | 74.3% | 55.5% | Columbia + |
| Black | 12.1% | 21.8% | Rockford + |
| Asian | 6.1% | 3.7% | Columbia + |
| Hispanic | 4.3% | 20.6% | Rockford + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Columbia
$64,488
Columbia +
Rockford
$53,328
Per Capita Income
Columbia
$37,359
Columbia +
Rockford
$30,409
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Columbia
$58,527
Rockford
$68,110
Rockford +
Unemployment Rate
Columbia
3.9%
Columbia +
Rockford
8.6%
Poverty Rate
Columbia
20.0%
Columbia +
Rockford
21.9%
Bachelor's Degree+
Columbia
56.5%
Columbia +
Rockford
23.2%
| Metric | Columbia, MO | Rockford, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $64,488 | $53,328 | Columbia + |
| Per Capita Income | $37,359 | $30,409 | Columbia + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,527 | $68,110 | Rockford + |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.9% | 8.6% | Columbia + |
| Poverty Rate | 20.0% | 21.9% | Columbia + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 56.5% | 23.2% | Columbia + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Columbia
$323,876
Rockford
$180,220
Rockford +
Homeownership Rate
Columbia
49.4%
Rockford
53.8%
Rockford +
| Metric | Columbia, MO | Rockford, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $323,876 | $180,220 | Rockford + |
| Homeownership Rate | 49.4% | 53.8% | Rockford + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Columbia
501
Rockford
344
Rockford +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Columbia
2418
Rockford
1842
Rockford +
| Metric | Columbia, MO | Rockford, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 501 | 344 | Rockford + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2418 | 1842 | Rockford + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Columbia
30.1%
Columbia +
Rockford
44.7%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Columbia
8.5%
Columbia +
Rockford
15.4%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Columbia
19.1%
Rockford
19.0%
Rockford +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Columbia
8.4%
Columbia +
Rockford
14.0%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Columbia
18.5%
Rockford
15.5%
Rockford +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Columbia
12.4%
Columbia +
Rockford
18.1%
| Metric | Columbia, MO | Rockford, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 30.1% | 44.7% | Columbia + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 8.5% | 15.4% | Columbia + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.1% | 19.0% | Rockford + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 8.4% | 14.0% | Columbia + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 18.5% | 15.5% | Rockford + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.4% | 18.1% | Columbia + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Columbia
56.0°F
Rockford
49.2°F
Rockford +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Columbia
46.3 in
Rockford
36.2 in
Rockford +
| Metric | Columbia, MO | Rockford, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 56.0°F | 49.2°F | Rockford + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 46.3 in | 36.2 in | Rockford + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Columbia
9.3 µg/m³
Columbia +
Rockford
9.4 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Columbia
55.0%
Rockford
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Columbia, MO | Rockford, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.3 µg/m³ | 9.4 µg/m³ | Columbia + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 55.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Columbia
18.2 min
Columbia +
Rockford
22.7 min
| Metric | Columbia, MO | Rockford, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 18.2 min | 22.7 min | Columbia + |
Which City is Right for You?
Columbia leads in median household income at $64,488, 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 501 in Columbia. Columbia has a lower unemployment rate at 3.9%, and Columbia has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 9.3 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Columbia scores better with a lower obesity rate of 30.1%.
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