Evansville IN 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)
Evansville, IN
Indiana · Population: 116,441
- Median HH Income$52,251
- Median Home Price$200,657
- Unemployment5.3%
- Bachelor's+22.3%
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
Evansville
116,441
Rockford
147,649
Rockford +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Evansville
N/A
Rockford
N/A
Median Age
Evansville
38.1
Rockford
37.5
Rockford +
Foreign Born
Evansville
3.9%
Rockford
12.3%
Rockford +
White
Evansville
77.1%
Evansville +
Rockford
55.5%
Black
Evansville
13.5%
Rockford
21.8%
Rockford +
Asian
Evansville
1.1%
Rockford
3.7%
Rockford +
Hispanic
Evansville
4.0%
Rockford
20.6%
Rockford +
Spanish at Home
Evansville
N/A
Rockford
N/A
| Metric | Evansville, IN | Rockford, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 116,441 | 147,649 | Rockford + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 38.1 | 37.5 | Rockford + |
| Foreign Born | 3.9% | 12.3% | Rockford + |
| White | 77.1% | 55.5% | Evansville + |
| Black | 13.5% | 21.8% | Rockford + |
| Asian | 1.1% | 3.7% | Rockford + |
| Hispanic | 4.0% | 20.6% | Rockford + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Evansville
$52,251
Rockford
$53,328
Rockford +
Per Capita Income
Evansville
$31,236
Evansville +
Rockford
$30,409
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Evansville
$58,697
Rockford
$68,110
Rockford +
Unemployment Rate
Evansville
5.3%
Evansville +
Rockford
8.6%
Poverty Rate
Evansville
18.6%
Evansville +
Rockford
21.9%
Bachelor's Degree+
Evansville
22.3%
Rockford
23.2%
Rockford +
| Metric | Evansville, IN | Rockford, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $52,251 | $53,328 | Rockford + |
| Per Capita Income | $31,236 | $30,409 | Evansville + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,697 | $68,110 | Rockford + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.3% | 8.6% | Evansville + |
| Poverty Rate | 18.6% | 21.9% | Evansville + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 22.3% | 23.2% | Rockford + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Evansville
$200,657
Rockford
$180,220
Rockford +
Homeownership Rate
Evansville
53.9%
Evansville +
Rockford
53.8%
| Metric | Evansville, IN | Rockford, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $200,657 | $180,220 | Rockford + |
| Homeownership Rate | 53.9% | 53.8% | Evansville + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Evansville
370
Rockford
344
Rockford +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Evansville
1719
Evansville +
Rockford
1842
| Metric | Evansville, IN | Rockford, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 370 | 344 | Rockford + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1719 | 1842 | Evansville + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Evansville
40.0%
Evansville +
Rockford
44.7%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Evansville
13.8%
Evansville +
Rockford
15.4%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Evansville
19.7%
Rockford
19.0%
Rockford +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Evansville
9.6%
Evansville +
Rockford
14.0%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Evansville
15.8%
Rockford
15.5%
Rockford +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Evansville
18.6%
Rockford
18.1%
Rockford +
| Metric | Evansville, IN | Rockford, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 40.0% | 44.7% | Evansville + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.8% | 15.4% | Evansville + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.7% | 19.0% | Rockford + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.6% | 14.0% | Evansville + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.8% | 15.5% | Rockford + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 18.6% | 18.1% | Rockford + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Evansville
60.1°F
Rockford
49.2°F
Rockford +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Evansville
46.8 in
Rockford
36.2 in
Rockford +
| Metric | Evansville, IN | Rockford, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 60.1°F | 49.2°F | Rockford + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 46.8 in | 36.2 in | Rockford + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Evansville
10.1 µg/m³
Rockford
9.4 µg/m³
Rockford +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Evansville
55.0%
Rockford
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Evansville, IN | Rockford, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 10.1 µg/m³ | 9.4 µg/m³ | Rockford + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 55.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Evansville
20.2 min
Evansville +
Rockford
22.7 min
| Metric | Evansville, IN | Rockford, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 20.2 min | 22.7 min | Evansville + |
Which City is Right for You?
Rockford leads in median household income at $53,328, 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 370 in Evansville. Evansville has a lower unemployment rate at 5.3%, and Rockford has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 9.4 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Evansville scores better with a lower obesity rate of 40.0%.
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