Dayton OH 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)
Dayton, OH
Ohio · Population: 136,741
- Median HH Income$43,454
- Median Home Price$138,867
- Unemployment9.7%
- Bachelor's+20.7%
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
Dayton
136,741
Rockford
147,649
Rockford +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Dayton
N/A
Rockford
N/A
Median Age
Dayton
34.2
Dayton +
Rockford
37.5
Foreign Born
Dayton
5.0%
Rockford
12.3%
Rockford +
White
Dayton
51.3%
Rockford
55.5%
Rockford +
Black
Dayton
38.0%
Dayton +
Rockford
21.8%
Asian
Dayton
1.2%
Rockford
3.7%
Rockford +
Hispanic
Dayton
5.5%
Rockford
20.6%
Rockford +
Spanish at Home
Dayton
N/A
Rockford
N/A
| Metric | Dayton, OH | Rockford, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 136,741 | 147,649 | Rockford + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.2 | 37.5 | Dayton + |
| Foreign Born | 5.0% | 12.3% | Rockford + |
| White | 51.3% | 55.5% | Rockford + |
| Black | 38.0% | 21.8% | Dayton + |
| Asian | 1.2% | 3.7% | Rockford + |
| Hispanic | 5.5% | 20.6% | Rockford + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Dayton
$43,454
Rockford
$53,328
Rockford +
Per Capita Income
Dayton
$26,381
Rockford
$30,409
Rockford +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Dayton
$58,300
Rockford
$68,110
Rockford +
Unemployment Rate
Dayton
9.7%
Rockford
8.6%
Rockford +
Poverty Rate
Dayton
27.1%
Rockford
21.9%
Rockford +
Bachelor's Degree+
Dayton
20.7%
Rockford
23.2%
Rockford +
| Metric | Dayton, OH | Rockford, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $43,454 | $53,328 | Rockford + |
| Per Capita Income | $26,381 | $30,409 | Rockford + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,300 | $68,110 | Rockford + |
| Unemployment Rate | 9.7% | 8.6% | Rockford + |
| Poverty Rate | 27.1% | 21.9% | Rockford + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 20.7% | 23.2% | Rockford + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Dayton
$138,867
Dayton +
Rockford
$180,220
Homeownership Rate
Dayton
48.2%
Rockford
53.8%
Rockford +
| Metric | Dayton, OH | Rockford, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $138,867 | $180,220 | Dayton + |
| Homeownership Rate | 48.2% | 53.8% | Rockford + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Dayton
319
Dayton +
Rockford
344
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Dayton
1866
Rockford
1842
Rockford +
| Metric | Dayton, OH | Rockford, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 319 | 344 | Dayton + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1866 | 1842 | Rockford + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Dayton
42.9%
Dayton +
Rockford
44.7%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Dayton
17.6%
Rockford
15.4%
Rockford +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Dayton
21.6%
Rockford
19.0%
Rockford +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Dayton
11.2%
Dayton +
Rockford
14.0%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Dayton
14.6%
Dayton +
Rockford
15.5%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Dayton
20.5%
Rockford
18.1%
Rockford +
| Metric | Dayton, OH | Rockford, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 42.9% | 44.7% | Dayton + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 17.6% | 15.4% | Rockford + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 21.6% | 19.0% | Rockford + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.2% | 14.0% | Dayton + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.6% | 15.5% | Dayton + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 20.5% | 18.1% | Rockford + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Dayton
54.1°F
Rockford
49.2°F
Rockford +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Dayton
40.3 in
Rockford
36.2 in
Rockford +
| Metric | Dayton, OH | Rockford, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 54.1°F | 49.2°F | Rockford + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 40.3 in | 36.2 in | Rockford + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Dayton
10.3 µg/m³
Rockford
9.4 µg/m³
Rockford +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Dayton
55.0%
Rockford
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Dayton, OH | Rockford, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 10.3 µg/m³ | 9.4 µg/m³ | Rockford + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 55.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Dayton
22.2 min
Dayton +
Rockford
22.7 min
| Metric | Dayton, OH | Rockford, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 22.2 min | 22.7 min | Dayton + |
Which City is Right for You?
Rockford leads in median household income at $53,328, while dayton offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $138,867. On public safety, Dayton is safer with a violent crime rate of 319 per 100,000 residents, compared to 344 in Rockford. Rockford has a lower unemployment rate at 8.6%, and Rockford has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 9.4 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Dayton scores better with a lower obesity rate of 42.9%.
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