Detroit MI 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)
Detroit, MI
Michigan · Population: 636,644
- Median HH Income$39,575
- Median Home Price$76,488
- Unemployment14.1%
- Bachelor's+17.6%
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
Detroit
636,644
Detroit +
Rockford
147,649
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Detroit
N/A
Rockford
N/A
Median Age
Detroit
35.1
Detroit +
Rockford
37.5
Foreign Born
Detroit
5.9%
Rockford
12.3%
Rockford +
White
Detroit
11.7%
Rockford
55.5%
Rockford +
Black
Detroit
76.8%
Detroit +
Rockford
21.8%
Asian
Detroit
1.6%
Rockford
3.7%
Rockford +
Hispanic
Detroit
8.0%
Rockford
20.6%
Rockford +
Spanish at Home
Detroit
N/A
Rockford
N/A
| Metric | Detroit, MI | Rockford, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 636,644 | 147,649 | Detroit + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.1 | 37.5 | Detroit + |
| Foreign Born | 5.9% | 12.3% | Rockford + |
| White | 11.7% | 55.5% | Rockford + |
| Black | 76.8% | 21.8% | Detroit + |
| Asian | 1.6% | 3.7% | Rockford + |
| Hispanic | 8.0% | 20.6% | Rockford + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Detroit
$39,575
Rockford
$53,328
Rockford +
Per Capita Income
Detroit
$24,029
Rockford
$30,409
Rockford +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Detroit
$58,052
Rockford
$68,110
Rockford +
Unemployment Rate
Detroit
14.1%
Rockford
8.6%
Rockford +
Poverty Rate
Detroit
31.5%
Rockford
21.9%
Rockford +
Bachelor's Degree+
Detroit
17.6%
Rockford
23.2%
Rockford +
| Metric | Detroit, MI | Rockford, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $39,575 | $53,328 | Rockford + |
| Per Capita Income | $24,029 | $30,409 | Rockford + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,052 | $68,110 | Rockford + |
| Unemployment Rate | 14.1% | 8.6% | Rockford + |
| Poverty Rate | 31.5% | 21.9% | Rockford + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 17.6% | 23.2% | Rockford + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Detroit
$76,488
Detroit +
Rockford
$180,220
Homeownership Rate
Detroit
49.7%
Rockford
53.8%
Rockford +
| Metric | Detroit, MI | Rockford, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $76,488 | $180,220 | Detroit + |
| Homeownership Rate | 49.7% | 53.8% | Rockford + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Detroit
471
Rockford
344
Rockford +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Detroit
1590
Detroit +
Rockford
1842
| Metric | Detroit, MI | Rockford, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 471 | 344 | Rockford + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1590 | 1842 | Detroit + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Detroit
45.6%
Rockford
44.7%
Rockford +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Detroit
19.2%
Rockford
15.4%
Rockford +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Detroit
22.6%
Rockford
19.0%
Rockford +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Detroit
11.6%
Detroit +
Rockford
14.0%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Detroit
11.8%
Detroit +
Rockford
15.5%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Detroit
21.8%
Rockford
18.1%
Rockford +
| Metric | Detroit, MI | Rockford, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 45.6% | 44.7% | Rockford + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 19.2% | 15.4% | Rockford + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 22.6% | 19.0% | Rockford + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.6% | 14.0% | Detroit + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 11.8% | 15.5% | Detroit + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 21.8% | 18.1% | Rockford + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Detroit
50.3°F
Rockford
49.2°F
Rockford +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Detroit
31.3 in
Detroit +
Rockford
36.2 in
| Metric | Detroit, MI | Rockford, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 50.3°F | 49.2°F | Rockford + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 31.3 in | 36.2 in | Detroit + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Detroit
10.7 µg/m³
Rockford
9.4 µg/m³
Rockford +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Detroit
55.0%
Rockford
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Detroit, MI | Rockford, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 10.7 µg/m³ | 9.4 µg/m³ | Rockford + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 55.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Detroit
27.3 min
Rockford
22.7 min
Rockford +
| Metric | Detroit, MI | Rockford, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 27.3 min | 22.7 min | Rockford + |
Which City is Right for You?
Rockford leads in median household income at $53,328, while detroit offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $76,488. On public safety, Rockford is safer with a violent crime rate of 344 per 100,000 residents, compared to 471 in Detroit. 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, Rockford scores better with a lower obesity rate of 44.7%.
Compare More Cities
Detroit, MI vs New York, NYDetroit, MI vs Los Angeles, CAChicago, IL vs Detroit, MIDetroit, MI vs Houston, TXDetroit, MI vs Phoenix, AZDetroit, MI vs Philadelphia, PA