Flint 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)
Flint, MI
Michigan · Population: 80,835
- Median HH Income$36,194
- Median Home Price$65,949
- Unemployment17.4%
- Bachelor's+13.1%
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
Flint
80,835
Rockford
147,649
Rockford +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Flint
N/A
Rockford
N/A
Median Age
Flint
36.2
Flint +
Rockford
37.5
Foreign Born
Flint
2.9%
Rockford
12.3%
Rockford +
White
Flint
34.4%
Rockford
55.5%
Rockford +
Black
Flint
56.6%
Flint +
Rockford
21.8%
Asian
Flint
0.6%
Rockford
3.7%
Rockford +
Hispanic
Flint
4.5%
Rockford
20.6%
Rockford +
Spanish at Home
Flint
N/A
Rockford
N/A
| Metric | Flint, MI | Rockford, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 80,835 | 147,649 | Rockford + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.2 | 37.5 | Flint + |
| Foreign Born | 2.9% | 12.3% | Rockford + |
| White | 34.4% | 55.5% | Rockford + |
| Black | 56.6% | 21.8% | Flint + |
| Asian | 0.6% | 3.7% | Rockford + |
| Hispanic | 4.5% | 20.6% | Rockford + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Flint
$36,194
Rockford
$53,328
Rockford +
Per Capita Income
Flint
$20,799
Rockford
$30,409
Rockford +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Flint
$58,052
Rockford
$68,110
Rockford +
Unemployment Rate
Flint
17.4%
Rockford
8.6%
Rockford +
Poverty Rate
Flint
34.4%
Rockford
21.9%
Rockford +
Bachelor's Degree+
Flint
13.1%
Rockford
23.2%
Rockford +
| Metric | Flint, MI | Rockford, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $36,194 | $53,328 | Rockford + |
| Per Capita Income | $20,799 | $30,409 | Rockford + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,052 | $68,110 | Rockford + |
| Unemployment Rate | 17.4% | 8.6% | Rockford + |
| Poverty Rate | 34.4% | 21.9% | Rockford + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 13.1% | 23.2% | Rockford + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Flint
$65,949
Flint +
Rockford
$180,220
Homeownership Rate
Flint
54.9%
Flint +
Rockford
53.8%
| Metric | Flint, MI | Rockford, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $65,949 | $180,220 | Flint + |
| Homeownership Rate | 54.9% | 53.8% | Flint + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Flint
471
Rockford
344
Rockford +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Flint
1590
Flint +
Rockford
1842
| Metric | Flint, MI | Rockford, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 471 | 344 | Rockford + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1590 | 1842 | Flint + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Flint
50.5%
Rockford
44.7%
Rockford +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Flint
19.3%
Rockford
15.4%
Rockford +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Flint
23.5%
Rockford
19.0%
Rockford +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Flint
11.7%
Flint +
Rockford
14.0%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Flint
12.2%
Flint +
Rockford
15.5%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Flint
25.3%
Rockford
18.1%
Rockford +
| Metric | Flint, MI | Rockford, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 50.5% | 44.7% | Rockford + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 19.3% | 15.4% | Rockford + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 23.5% | 19.0% | Rockford + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.7% | 14.0% | Flint + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 12.2% | 15.5% | Flint + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 25.3% | 18.1% | Rockford + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Flint
47.0°F
Flint +
Rockford
49.2°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Flint
31.7 in
Flint +
Rockford
36.2 in
| Metric | Flint, MI | Rockford, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 47.0°F | 49.2°F | Flint + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 31.7 in | 36.2 in | Flint + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Flint
10.7 µg/m³
Rockford
9.4 µg/m³
Rockford +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Flint
55.0%
Rockford
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Flint, 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
Flint
25.0 min
Rockford
22.7 min
Rockford +
| Metric | Flint, MI | Rockford, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 25.0 min | 22.7 min | Rockford + |
Which City is Right for You?
Rockford leads in median household income at $53,328, while flint offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $65,949. On public safety, Rockford is safer with a violent crime rate of 344 per 100,000 residents, compared to 471 in Flint. 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%.
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