Columbia 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)
Columbia, SC
South Carolina · Population: 138,019
- Median HH Income$55,653
- Median Home Price$229,993
- Unemployment7.6%
- Bachelor's+46.1%
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
Columbia
138,019
Rockford
147,649
Rockford +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Columbia
N/A
Rockford
N/A
Median Age
Columbia
28.7
Columbia +
Rockford
37.5
Foreign Born
Columbia
5.1%
Rockford
12.3%
Rockford +
White
Columbia
49.9%
Rockford
55.5%
Rockford +
Black
Columbia
39.5%
Columbia +
Rockford
21.8%
Asian
Columbia
2.7%
Rockford
3.7%
Rockford +
Hispanic
Columbia
5.7%
Rockford
20.6%
Rockford +
Spanish at Home
Columbia
N/A
Rockford
N/A
| Metric | Columbia, SC | Rockford, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 138,019 | 147,649 | Rockford + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 28.7 | 37.5 | Columbia + |
| Foreign Born | 5.1% | 12.3% | Rockford + |
| White | 49.9% | 55.5% | Rockford + |
| Black | 39.5% | 21.8% | Columbia + |
| Asian | 2.7% | 3.7% | Rockford + |
| Hispanic | 5.7% | 20.6% | Rockford + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Columbia
$55,653
Columbia +
Rockford
$53,328
Per Capita Income
Columbia
$38,087
Columbia +
Rockford
$30,409
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Columbia
$54,550
Rockford
$68,110
Rockford +
Unemployment Rate
Columbia
7.6%
Columbia +
Rockford
8.6%
Poverty Rate
Columbia
23.3%
Rockford
21.9%
Rockford +
Bachelor's Degree+
Columbia
46.1%
Columbia +
Rockford
23.2%
| Metric | Columbia, SC | Rockford, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $55,653 | $53,328 | Columbia + |
| Per Capita Income | $38,087 | $30,409 | Columbia + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $54,550 | $68,110 | Rockford + |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.6% | 8.6% | Columbia + |
| Poverty Rate | 23.3% | 21.9% | Rockford + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 46.1% | 23.2% | Columbia + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Columbia
$229,993
Rockford
$180,220
Rockford +
Homeownership Rate
Columbia
47.3%
Rockford
53.8%
Rockford +
| Metric | Columbia, SC | Rockford, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $229,993 | $180,220 | Rockford + |
| Homeownership Rate | 47.3% | 53.8% | Rockford + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Columbia
398
Rockford
344
Rockford +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Columbia
1999
Rockford
1842
Rockford +
| Metric | Columbia, 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
Columbia
34.4%
Columbia +
Rockford
44.7%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Columbia
12.1%
Columbia +
Rockford
15.4%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Columbia
19.2%
Rockford
19.0%
Rockford +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Columbia
13.2%
Columbia +
Rockford
14.0%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Columbia
17.7%
Rockford
15.5%
Rockford +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Columbia
13.0%
Columbia +
Rockford
18.1%
| Metric | Columbia, SC | Rockford, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 34.4% | 44.7% | Columbia + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.1% | 15.4% | Columbia + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.2% | 19.0% | Rockford + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 13.2% | 14.0% | Columbia + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 17.7% | 15.5% | Rockford + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 13.0% | 18.1% | Columbia + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Columbia
66.7°F
Rockford
49.2°F
Rockford +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Columbia
46.3 in
Rockford
36.2 in
Rockford +
| Metric | Columbia, SC | Rockford, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 66.7°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
8.6 µg/m³
Columbia +
Rockford
9.4 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Columbia
75.0%
Columbia +
Rockford
55.0%
| Metric | Columbia, SC | Rockford, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.6 µg/m³ | 9.4 µg/m³ | Columbia + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Columbia + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Columbia
18.6 min
Columbia +
Rockford
22.7 min
| Metric | Columbia, SC | Rockford, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 18.6 min | 22.7 min | Columbia + |
Which City is Right for You?
Columbia leads in median household income at $55,653, 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 Columbia. Columbia has a lower unemployment rate at 7.6%, and Columbia has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.6 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Columbia scores better with a lower obesity rate of 34.4%.
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