Fort Worth TX 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)
Fort Worth, TX
Texas · Population: 941,311
- Median HH Income$76,602
- Median Home Price$299,655
- Unemployment4.9%
- Bachelor's+31.7%
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
Fort Worth
941,311
Fort Worth +
Rockford
147,649
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Fort Worth
N/A
Rockford
N/A
Median Age
Fort Worth
33.4
Fort Worth +
Rockford
37.5
Foreign Born
Fort Worth
17.0%
Fort Worth +
Rockford
12.3%
White
Fort Worth
47.7%
Rockford
55.5%
Rockford +
Black
Fort Worth
19.5%
Rockford
21.8%
Rockford +
Asian
Fort Worth
5.2%
Fort Worth +
Rockford
3.7%
Hispanic
Fort Worth
34.6%
Fort Worth +
Rockford
20.6%
Spanish at Home
Fort Worth
N/A
Rockford
N/A
| Metric | Fort Worth, TX | Rockford, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 941,311 | 147,649 | Fort Worth + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 33.4 | 37.5 | Fort Worth + |
| Foreign Born | 17.0% | 12.3% | Fort Worth + |
| White | 47.7% | 55.5% | Rockford + |
| Black | 19.5% | 21.8% | Rockford + |
| Asian | 5.2% | 3.7% | Fort Worth + |
| Hispanic | 34.6% | 20.6% | Fort Worth + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Fort Worth
$76,602
Fort Worth +
Rockford
$53,328
Per Capita Income
Fort Worth
$37,157
Fort Worth +
Rockford
$30,409
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Fort Worth
$63,758
Rockford
$68,110
Rockford +
Unemployment Rate
Fort Worth
4.9%
Fort Worth +
Rockford
8.6%
Poverty Rate
Fort Worth
12.9%
Fort Worth +
Rockford
21.9%
Bachelor's Degree+
Fort Worth
31.7%
Fort Worth +
Rockford
23.2%
| Metric | Fort Worth, TX | Rockford, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $76,602 | $53,328 | Fort Worth + |
| Per Capita Income | $37,157 | $30,409 | Fort Worth + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $63,758 | $68,110 | Rockford + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.9% | 8.6% | Fort Worth + |
| Poverty Rate | 12.9% | 21.9% | Fort Worth + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 31.7% | 23.2% | Fort Worth + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Fort Worth
$299,655
Rockford
$180,220
Rockford +
Homeownership Rate
Fort Worth
56.8%
Fort Worth +
Rockford
53.8%
| Metric | Fort Worth, TX | Rockford, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $299,655 | $180,220 | Rockford + |
| Homeownership Rate | 56.8% | 53.8% | Fort Worth + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fort Worth
442
Rockford
344
Rockford +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fort Worth
2339
Rockford
1842
Rockford +
| Metric | Fort Worth, TX | Rockford, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 442 | 344 | Rockford + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2339 | 1842 | Rockford + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Fort Worth
34.6%
Fort Worth +
Rockford
44.7%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Fort Worth
12.2%
Fort Worth +
Rockford
15.4%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Fort Worth
18.5%
Fort Worth +
Rockford
19.0%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Fort Worth
20.0%
Rockford
14.0%
Rockford +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Fort Worth
16.9%
Rockford
15.5%
Rockford +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Fort Worth
13.8%
Fort Worth +
Rockford
18.1%
| Metric | Fort Worth, TX | Rockford, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 34.6% | 44.7% | Fort Worth + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.2% | 15.4% | Fort Worth + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.5% | 19.0% | Fort Worth + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 20.0% | 14.0% | Rockford + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.9% | 15.5% | Rockford + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 13.8% | 18.1% | Fort Worth + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fort Worth
65.8°F
Rockford
49.2°F
Rockford +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fort Worth
37.8 in
Rockford
36.2 in
Rockford +
| Metric | Fort Worth, TX | Rockford, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 65.8°F | 49.2°F | Rockford + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 37.8 in | 36.2 in | Rockford + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Fort Worth
9.2 µg/m³
Fort Worth +
Rockford
9.4 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Fort Worth
55.0%
Rockford
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Fort Worth, TX | Rockford, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.2 µg/m³ | 9.4 µg/m³ | Fort Worth + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 55.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Fort Worth
29.0 min
Rockford
22.7 min
Rockford +
| Metric | Fort Worth, TX | Rockford, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 29.0 min | 22.7 min | Rockford + |
Which City is Right for You?
Fort Worth leads in median household income at $76,602, 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 442 in Fort Worth. Fort Worth has a lower unemployment rate at 4.9%, and Fort Worth has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 9.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Fort Worth scores better with a lower obesity rate of 34.6%.
Compare More Cities
Fort Worth, TX vs New York, NYFort Worth, TX vs Los Angeles, CAChicago, IL vs Fort Worth, TXFort Worth, TX vs Houston, TXFort Worth, TX vs Phoenix, AZFort Worth, TX vs Philadelphia, PA