Davenport IA 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)
Davenport, IA
Iowa · Population: 101,083
- Median HH Income$64,497
- Median Home Price$191,117
- Unemployment4.8%
- Bachelor's+30.0%
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
Davenport
101,083
Rockford
147,649
Rockford +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Davenport
N/A
Rockford
N/A
Median Age
Davenport
37.8
Rockford
37.5
Rockford +
Foreign Born
Davenport
4.6%
Rockford
12.3%
Rockford +
White
Davenport
75.9%
Davenport +
Rockford
55.5%
Black
Davenport
11.2%
Rockford
21.8%
Rockford +
Asian
Davenport
1.9%
Rockford
3.7%
Rockford +
Hispanic
Davenport
9.1%
Rockford
20.6%
Rockford +
Spanish at Home
Davenport
N/A
Rockford
N/A
| Metric | Davenport, IA | Rockford, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 101,083 | 147,649 | Rockford + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 37.8 | 37.5 | Rockford + |
| Foreign Born | 4.6% | 12.3% | Rockford + |
| White | 75.9% | 55.5% | Davenport + |
| Black | 11.2% | 21.8% | Rockford + |
| Asian | 1.9% | 3.7% | Rockford + |
| Hispanic | 9.1% | 20.6% | Rockford + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Davenport
$64,497
Davenport +
Rockford
$53,328
Per Capita Income
Davenport
$36,583
Davenport +
Rockford
$30,409
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Davenport
$61,226
Rockford
$68,110
Rockford +
Unemployment Rate
Davenport
4.8%
Davenport +
Rockford
8.6%
Poverty Rate
Davenport
15.6%
Davenport +
Rockford
21.9%
Bachelor's Degree+
Davenport
30.0%
Davenport +
Rockford
23.2%
| Metric | Davenport, IA | Rockford, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $64,497 | $53,328 | Davenport + |
| Per Capita Income | $36,583 | $30,409 | Davenport + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $61,226 | $68,110 | Rockford + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.8% | 8.6% | Davenport + |
| Poverty Rate | 15.6% | 21.9% | Davenport + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 30.0% | 23.2% | Davenport + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Davenport
$191,117
Rockford
$180,220
Rockford +
Homeownership Rate
Davenport
63.0%
Davenport +
Rockford
53.8%
| Metric | Davenport, IA | Rockford, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $191,117 | $180,220 | Rockford + |
| Homeownership Rate | 63.0% | 53.8% | Davenport + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Davenport
296
Davenport +
Rockford
344
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Davenport
1452
Davenport +
Rockford
1842
| Metric | Davenport, IA | Rockford, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 296 | 344 | Davenport + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1452 | 1842 | Davenport + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Davenport
42.6%
Davenport +
Rockford
44.7%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Davenport
11.7%
Davenport +
Rockford
15.4%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Davenport
17.8%
Davenport +
Rockford
19.0%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Davenport
8.2%
Davenport +
Rockford
14.0%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Davenport
21.1%
Rockford
15.5%
Rockford +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Davenport
16.2%
Davenport +
Rockford
18.1%
| Metric | Davenport, IA | Rockford, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 42.6% | 44.7% | Davenport + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.7% | 15.4% | Davenport + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.8% | 19.0% | Davenport + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 8.2% | 14.0% | Davenport + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 21.1% | 15.5% | Rockford + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 16.2% | 18.1% | Davenport + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Davenport
49.3°F
Rockford
49.2°F
Rockford +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Davenport
36.0 in
Davenport +
Rockford
36.2 in
| Metric | Davenport, IA | Rockford, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 49.3°F | 49.2°F | Rockford + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 36.0 in | 36.2 in | Davenport + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Davenport
10.2 µg/m³
Rockford
9.4 µg/m³
Rockford +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Davenport
55.0%
Rockford
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Davenport, IA | Rockford, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 10.2 µg/m³ | 9.4 µg/m³ | Rockford + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 55.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Davenport
20.4 min
Davenport +
Rockford
22.7 min
| Metric | Davenport, IA | Rockford, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 20.4 min | 22.7 min | Davenport + |
Which City is Right for You?
Davenport leads in median household income at $64,497, while rockford offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $180,220. On public safety, Davenport is safer with a violent crime rate of 296 per 100,000 residents, compared to 344 in Rockford. Davenport has a lower unemployment rate at 4.8%, and Rockford has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 9.4 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Davenport scores better with a lower obesity rate of 42.6%.
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