Concord NC 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)
Concord, NC
North Carolina · Population: 106,518
- Median HH Income$84,752
- Median Home Price$384,688
- Unemployment4.8%
- Bachelor's+41.7%
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
Concord
106,518
Rockford
147,649
Rockford +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Concord
N/A
Rockford
N/A
Median Age
Concord
36.2
Concord +
Rockford
37.5
Foreign Born
Concord
12.5%
Concord +
Rockford
12.3%
White
Concord
54.7%
Rockford
55.5%
Rockford +
Black
Concord
22.1%
Concord +
Rockford
21.8%
Asian
Concord
6.7%
Concord +
Rockford
3.7%
Hispanic
Concord
15.8%
Rockford
20.6%
Rockford +
Spanish at Home
Concord
N/A
Rockford
N/A
| Metric | Concord, NC | Rockford, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 106,518 | 147,649 | Rockford + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.2 | 37.5 | Concord + |
| Foreign Born | 12.5% | 12.3% | Concord + |
| White | 54.7% | 55.5% | Rockford + |
| Black | 22.1% | 21.8% | Concord + |
| Asian | 6.7% | 3.7% | Concord + |
| Hispanic | 15.8% | 20.6% | Rockford + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Concord
$84,752
Concord +
Rockford
$53,328
Per Capita Income
Concord
$40,763
Concord +
Rockford
$30,409
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Concord
$59,120
Rockford
$68,110
Rockford +
Unemployment Rate
Concord
4.8%
Concord +
Rockford
8.6%
Poverty Rate
Concord
8.6%
Concord +
Rockford
21.9%
Bachelor's Degree+
Concord
41.7%
Concord +
Rockford
23.2%
| Metric | Concord, NC | Rockford, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $84,752 | $53,328 | Concord + |
| Per Capita Income | $40,763 | $30,409 | Concord + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $59,120 | $68,110 | Rockford + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.8% | 8.6% | Concord + |
| Poverty Rate | 8.6% | 21.9% | Concord + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 41.7% | 23.2% | Concord + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Concord
$384,688
Rockford
$180,220
Rockford +
Homeownership Rate
Concord
66.4%
Concord +
Rockford
53.8%
| Metric | Concord, NC | Rockford, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $384,688 | $180,220 | Rockford + |
| Homeownership Rate | 66.4% | 53.8% | Concord + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Concord
398
Rockford
344
Rockford +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Concord
1999
Rockford
1842
Rockford +
| Metric | Concord, NC | 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
Concord
33.5%
Concord +
Rockford
44.7%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Concord
10.6%
Concord +
Rockford
15.4%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Concord
16.6%
Concord +
Rockford
19.0%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Concord
10.5%
Concord +
Rockford
14.0%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Concord
15.2%
Concord +
Rockford
15.5%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Concord
12.5%
Concord +
Rockford
18.1%
| Metric | Concord, NC | Rockford, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 33.5% | 44.7% | Concord + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 10.6% | 15.4% | Concord + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.6% | 19.0% | Concord + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 10.5% | 14.0% | Concord + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.2% | 15.5% | Concord + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.5% | 18.1% | Concord + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Concord
60.4°F
Rockford
49.2°F
Rockford +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Concord
45.9 in
Rockford
36.2 in
Rockford +
| Metric | Concord, NC | Rockford, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 60.4°F | 49.2°F | Rockford + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 45.9 in | 36.2 in | Rockford + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Concord
8.7 µg/m³
Concord +
Rockford
9.4 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Concord
75.0%
Concord +
Rockford
55.0%
| Metric | Concord, NC | Rockford, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.7 µg/m³ | 9.4 µg/m³ | Concord + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Concord + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Concord
29.7 min
Rockford
22.7 min
Rockford +
| Metric | Concord, NC | Rockford, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 29.7 min | 22.7 min | Rockford + |
Which City is Right for You?
Concord leads in median household income at $84,752, 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 Concord. Concord has a lower unemployment rate at 4.8%, and Concord has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.7 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Concord scores better with a lower obesity rate of 33.5%.
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