Eugene OR 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)
Eugene, OR
Oregon · Population: 177,520
- Median HH Income$63,836
- Median Home Price$478,489
- Unemployment7.6%
- Bachelor's+44.2%
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
Eugene
177,520
Eugene +
Rockford
147,649
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Eugene
N/A
Rockford
N/A
Median Age
Eugene
35.4
Eugene +
Rockford
37.5
Foreign Born
Eugene
6.8%
Rockford
12.3%
Rockford +
White
Eugene
78.9%
Eugene +
Rockford
55.5%
Black
Eugene
1.8%
Rockford
21.8%
Rockford +
Asian
Eugene
3.9%
Eugene +
Rockford
3.7%
Hispanic
Eugene
11.4%
Rockford
20.6%
Rockford +
Spanish at Home
Eugene
N/A
Rockford
N/A
| Metric | Eugene, OR | Rockford, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 177,520 | 147,649 | Eugene + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.4 | 37.5 | Eugene + |
| Foreign Born | 6.8% | 12.3% | Rockford + |
| White | 78.9% | 55.5% | Eugene + |
| Black | 1.8% | 21.8% | Rockford + |
| Asian | 3.9% | 3.7% | Eugene + |
| Hispanic | 11.4% | 20.6% | Rockford + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Eugene
$63,836
Eugene +
Rockford
$53,328
Per Capita Income
Eugene
$41,035
Eugene +
Rockford
$30,409
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Eugene
$63,691
Rockford
$68,110
Rockford +
Unemployment Rate
Eugene
7.6%
Eugene +
Rockford
8.6%
Poverty Rate
Eugene
18.2%
Eugene +
Rockford
21.9%
Bachelor's Degree+
Eugene
44.2%
Eugene +
Rockford
23.2%
| Metric | Eugene, OR | Rockford, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $63,836 | $53,328 | Eugene + |
| Per Capita Income | $41,035 | $30,409 | Eugene + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $63,691 | $68,110 | Rockford + |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.6% | 8.6% | Eugene + |
| Poverty Rate | 18.2% | 21.9% | Eugene + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 44.2% | 23.2% | Eugene + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Eugene
$478,489
Rockford
$180,220
Rockford +
Homeownership Rate
Eugene
47.6%
Rockford
53.8%
Rockford +
| Metric | Eugene, OR | Rockford, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $478,489 | $180,220 | Rockford + |
| Homeownership Rate | 47.6% | 53.8% | Rockford + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Eugene
355
Rockford
344
Rockford +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Eugene
3001
Rockford
1842
Rockford +
| Metric | Eugene, OR | Rockford, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 355 | 344 | Rockford + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 3001 | 1842 | Rockford + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Eugene
34.0%
Eugene +
Rockford
44.7%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Eugene
9.4%
Eugene +
Rockford
15.4%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Eugene
19.9%
Rockford
19.0%
Rockford +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Eugene
8.3%
Eugene +
Rockford
14.0%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Eugene
15.1%
Eugene +
Rockford
15.5%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Eugene
11.9%
Eugene +
Rockford
18.1%
| Metric | Eugene, OR | Rockford, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 34.0% | 44.7% | Eugene + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 9.4% | 15.4% | Eugene + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.9% | 19.0% | Rockford + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 8.3% | 14.0% | Eugene + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.1% | 15.5% | Eugene + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 11.9% | 18.1% | Eugene + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Eugene
52.5°F
Rockford
49.2°F
Rockford +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Eugene
46.1 in
Rockford
36.2 in
Rockford +
| Metric | Eugene, OR | Rockford, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 52.5°F | 49.2°F | Rockford + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 46.1 in | 36.2 in | Rockford + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Eugene
9.0 µg/m³
Eugene +
Rockford
9.4 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Eugene
55.0%
Rockford
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Eugene, OR | Rockford, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.0 µg/m³ | 9.4 µg/m³ | Eugene + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 55.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Eugene
19.9 min
Eugene +
Rockford
22.7 min
| Metric | Eugene, OR | Rockford, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 19.9 min | 22.7 min | Eugene + |
Which City is Right for You?
Eugene leads in median household income at $63,836, 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 355 in Eugene. Eugene has a lower unemployment rate at 7.6%, and Eugene has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 9.0 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Eugene scores better with a lower obesity rate of 34.0%.
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