Escondido CA 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)
Escondido, CA
California · Population: 107,066
- Median HH Income$64,484
- Median Home Price$849,335
- Unemployment6.4%
- Bachelor's+14.7%
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
Escondido
107,066
Rockford
147,649
Rockford +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Escondido
N/A
Rockford
N/A
Median Age
Escondido
38.1
Rockford
37.5
Rockford +
Foreign Born
Escondido
49.7%
Escondido +
Rockford
12.3%
White
Escondido
13.7%
Rockford
55.5%
Rockford +
Black
Escondido
0.6%
Rockford
21.8%
Rockford +
Asian
Escondido
29.3%
Escondido +
Rockford
3.7%
Hispanic
Escondido
65.1%
Escondido +
Rockford
20.6%
Spanish at Home
Escondido
N/A
Rockford
N/A
| Metric | Escondido, CA | Rockford, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 107,066 | 147,649 | Rockford + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 38.1 | 37.5 | Rockford + |
| Foreign Born | 49.7% | 12.3% | Escondido + |
| White | 13.7% | 55.5% | Rockford + |
| Black | 0.6% | 21.8% | Rockford + |
| Asian | 29.3% | 3.7% | Escondido + |
| Hispanic | 65.1% | 20.6% | Escondido + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Escondido
$64,484
Escondido +
Rockford
$53,328
Per Capita Income
Escondido
$24,356
Rockford
$30,409
Rockford +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Escondido
$77,230
Escondido +
Rockford
$68,110
Unemployment Rate
Escondido
6.4%
Escondido +
Rockford
8.6%
Poverty Rate
Escondido
17.2%
Escondido +
Rockford
21.9%
Bachelor's Degree+
Escondido
14.7%
Rockford
23.2%
Rockford +
| Metric | Escondido, CA | Rockford, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $64,484 | $53,328 | Escondido + |
| Per Capita Income | $24,356 | $30,409 | Rockford + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,230 | $68,110 | Escondido + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.4% | 8.6% | Escondido + |
| Poverty Rate | 17.2% | 21.9% | Escondido + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 14.7% | 23.2% | Rockford + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Escondido
$849,335
Rockford
$180,220
Rockford +
Homeownership Rate
Escondido
40.1%
Rockford
53.8%
Rockford +
| Metric | Escondido, CA | Rockford, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $849,335 | $180,220 | Rockford + |
| Homeownership Rate | 40.1% | 53.8% | Rockford + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Escondido
503
Rockford
344
Rockford +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Escondido
2388
Rockford
1842
Rockford +
| Metric | Escondido, CA | Rockford, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 503 | 344 | Rockford + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2388 | 1842 | Rockford + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Escondido
28.1%
Escondido +
Rockford
44.7%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Escondido
11.3%
Escondido +
Rockford
15.4%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Escondido
18.0%
Escondido +
Rockford
19.0%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Escondido
14.1%
Rockford
14.0%
Rockford +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Escondido
16.2%
Rockford
15.5%
Rockford +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Escondido
12.2%
Escondido +
Rockford
18.1%
| Metric | Escondido, CA | Rockford, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 28.1% | 44.7% | Escondido + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.3% | 15.4% | Escondido + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.0% | 19.0% | Escondido + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 14.1% | 14.0% | Rockford + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.2% | 15.5% | Rockford + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.2% | 18.1% | Escondido + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Escondido
N/A
Rockford
49.2°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Escondido
11.1 in
Escondido +
Rockford
36.2 in
| Metric | Escondido, CA | Rockford, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 49.2°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 11.1 in | 36.2 in | Escondido + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Escondido
7.9 µg/m³
Escondido +
Rockford
9.4 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Escondido
75.0%
Escondido +
Rockford
55.0%
| Metric | Escondido, CA | Rockford, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.9 µg/m³ | 9.4 µg/m³ | Escondido + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Escondido + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Escondido
31.6 min
Rockford
22.7 min
Rockford +
| Metric | Escondido, CA | Rockford, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 31.6 min | 22.7 min | Rockford + |
Which City is Right for You?
Escondido leads in median household income at $64,484, 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 503 in Escondido. Escondido has a lower unemployment rate at 6.4%, and Escondido has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Escondido scores better with a lower obesity rate of 28.1%.
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