Des Moines 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)
Des Moines, IA
Iowa · Population: 212,464
- Median HH Income$63,966
- Median Home Price$210,703
- Unemployment5.8%
- Bachelor's+29.0%
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
Des Moines
212,464
Des Moines +
Rockford
147,649
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Des Moines
N/A
Rockford
N/A
Median Age
Des Moines
34.6
Des Moines +
Rockford
37.5
Foreign Born
Des Moines
14.0%
Des Moines +
Rockford
12.3%
White
Des Moines
66.9%
Des Moines +
Rockford
55.5%
Black
Des Moines
12.0%
Rockford
21.8%
Rockford +
Asian
Des Moines
6.2%
Des Moines +
Rockford
3.7%
Hispanic
Des Moines
16.0%
Rockford
20.6%
Rockford +
Spanish at Home
Des Moines
N/A
Rockford
N/A
| Metric | Des Moines, IA | Rockford, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 212,464 | 147,649 | Des Moines + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.6 | 37.5 | Des Moines + |
| Foreign Born | 14.0% | 12.3% | Des Moines + |
| White | 66.9% | 55.5% | Des Moines + |
| Black | 12.0% | 21.8% | Rockford + |
| Asian | 6.2% | 3.7% | Des Moines + |
| Hispanic | 16.0% | 20.6% | Rockford + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Des Moines
$63,966
Des Moines +
Rockford
$53,328
Per Capita Income
Des Moines
$36,459
Des Moines +
Rockford
$30,409
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Des Moines
$61,226
Rockford
$68,110
Rockford +
Unemployment Rate
Des Moines
5.8%
Des Moines +
Rockford
8.6%
Poverty Rate
Des Moines
14.9%
Des Moines +
Rockford
21.9%
Bachelor's Degree+
Des Moines
29.0%
Des Moines +
Rockford
23.2%
| Metric | Des Moines, IA | Rockford, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $63,966 | $53,328 | Des Moines + |
| Per Capita Income | $36,459 | $30,409 | Des Moines + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $61,226 | $68,110 | Rockford + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.8% | 8.6% | Des Moines + |
| Poverty Rate | 14.9% | 21.9% | Des Moines + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 29.0% | 23.2% | Des Moines + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Des Moines
$210,703
Rockford
$180,220
Rockford +
Homeownership Rate
Des Moines
60.5%
Des Moines +
Rockford
53.8%
| Metric | Des Moines, IA | Rockford, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $210,703 | $180,220 | Rockford + |
| Homeownership Rate | 60.5% | 53.8% | Des Moines + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Des Moines
296
Des Moines +
Rockford
344
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Des Moines
1452
Des Moines +
Rockford
1842
| Metric | Des Moines, IA | Rockford, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 296 | 344 | Des Moines + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1452 | 1842 | Des Moines + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Des Moines
39.4%
Des Moines +
Rockford
44.7%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Des Moines
11.8%
Des Moines +
Rockford
15.4%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Des Moines
19.0%
Rockford
19.0%
Tie
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Des Moines
10.6%
Des Moines +
Rockford
14.0%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Des Moines
19.8%
Rockford
15.5%
Rockford +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Des Moines
16.4%
Des Moines +
Rockford
18.1%
| Metric | Des Moines, IA | Rockford, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 39.4% | 44.7% | Des Moines + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.8% | 15.4% | Des Moines + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.0% | 19.0% | Tie |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 10.6% | 14.0% | Des Moines + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 19.8% | 15.5% | Rockford + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 16.4% | 18.1% | Des Moines + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Des Moines
49.9°F
Rockford
49.2°F
Rockford +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Des Moines
35.6 in
Des Moines +
Rockford
36.2 in
| Metric | Des Moines, IA | Rockford, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 49.9°F | 49.2°F | Rockford + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 35.6 in | 36.2 in | Des Moines + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Des Moines
10.2 µg/m³
Rockford
9.4 µg/m³
Rockford +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Des Moines
55.0%
Rockford
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Des Moines, 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
Des Moines
21.1 min
Des Moines +
Rockford
22.7 min
| Metric | Des Moines, IA | Rockford, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 21.1 min | 22.7 min | Des Moines + |
Which City is Right for You?
Des Moines leads in median household income at $63,966, while rockford offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $180,220. On public safety, Des Moines is safer with a violent crime rate of 296 per 100,000 residents, compared to 344 in Rockford. Des Moines has a lower unemployment rate at 5.8%, and Rockford has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 9.4 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Des Moines scores better with a lower obesity rate of 39.4%.
Compare More Cities
Des Moines, IA vs New York, NYDes Moines, IA vs Los Angeles, CAChicago, IL vs Des Moines, IADes Moines, IA vs Houston, TXDes Moines, IA vs Phoenix, AZDes Moines, IA vs Philadelphia, PA