Fresno 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)
Fresno, CA
California · Population: 543,615
- Median HH Income$66,804
- Median Home Price$391,442
- Unemployment8.6%
- Bachelor's+24.9%
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
Fresno
543,615
Fresno +
Rockford
147,649
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Fresno
N/A
Rockford
N/A
Median Age
Fresno
32.4
Fresno +
Rockford
37.5
Foreign Born
Fresno
18.9%
Fresno +
Rockford
12.3%
White
Fresno
38.0%
Rockford
55.5%
Rockford +
Black
Fresno
6.7%
Rockford
21.8%
Rockford +
Asian
Fresno
14.2%
Fresno +
Rockford
3.7%
Hispanic
Fresno
50.5%
Fresno +
Rockford
20.6%
Spanish at Home
Fresno
N/A
Rockford
N/A
| Metric | Fresno, CA | Rockford, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 543,615 | 147,649 | Fresno + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 32.4 | 37.5 | Fresno + |
| Foreign Born | 18.9% | 12.3% | Fresno + |
| White | 38.0% | 55.5% | Rockford + |
| Black | 6.7% | 21.8% | Rockford + |
| Asian | 14.2% | 3.7% | Fresno + |
| Hispanic | 50.5% | 20.6% | Fresno + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Fresno
$66,804
Fresno +
Rockford
$53,328
Per Capita Income
Fresno
$31,012
Fresno +
Rockford
$30,409
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Fresno
$77,230
Fresno +
Rockford
$68,110
Unemployment Rate
Fresno
8.6%
Rockford
8.6%
Rockford +
Poverty Rate
Fresno
20.9%
Fresno +
Rockford
21.9%
Bachelor's Degree+
Fresno
24.9%
Fresno +
Rockford
23.2%
| Metric | Fresno, CA | Rockford, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $66,804 | $53,328 | Fresno + |
| Per Capita Income | $31,012 | $30,409 | Fresno + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,230 | $68,110 | Fresno + |
| Unemployment Rate | 8.6% | 8.6% | Rockford + |
| Poverty Rate | 20.9% | 21.9% | Fresno + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 24.9% | 23.2% | Fresno + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Fresno
$391,442
Rockford
$180,220
Rockford +
Homeownership Rate
Fresno
49.7%
Rockford
53.8%
Rockford +
| Metric | Fresno, CA | Rockford, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $391,442 | $180,220 | Rockford + |
| Homeownership Rate | 49.7% | 53.8% | Rockford + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fresno
503
Rockford
344
Rockford +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fresno
2388
Rockford
1842
Rockford +
| Metric | Fresno, 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
Fresno
37.5%
Fresno +
Rockford
44.7%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Fresno
12.7%
Fresno +
Rockford
15.4%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Fresno
19.1%
Rockford
19.0%
Rockford +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Fresno
15.3%
Rockford
14.0%
Rockford +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Fresno
14.1%
Fresno +
Rockford
15.5%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Fresno
13.8%
Fresno +
Rockford
18.1%
| Metric | Fresno, CA | Rockford, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 37.5% | 44.7% | Fresno + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.7% | 15.4% | Fresno + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.1% | 19.0% | Rockford + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 15.3% | 14.0% | Rockford + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.1% | 15.5% | Fresno + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 13.8% | 18.1% | Fresno + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fresno
64.2°F
Rockford
49.2°F
Rockford +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fresno
12.8 in
Fresno +
Rockford
36.2 in
| Metric | Fresno, CA | Rockford, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 64.2°F | 49.2°F | Rockford + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 12.8 in | 36.2 in | Fresno + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Fresno
7.9 µg/m³
Fresno +
Rockford
9.4 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Fresno
75.0%
Fresno +
Rockford
55.0%
| Metric | Fresno, CA | Rockford, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.9 µg/m³ | 9.4 µg/m³ | Fresno + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Fresno + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Fresno
23.7 min
Rockford
22.7 min
Rockford +
| Metric | Fresno, CA | Rockford, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 23.7 min | 22.7 min | Rockford + |
Which City is Right for You?
Fresno leads in median household income at $66,804, 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 Fresno. Rockford has a lower unemployment rate at 8.6%, and Fresno has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Fresno scores better with a lower obesity rate of 37.5%.
Compare More Cities
Fresno, CA vs New York, NYFresno, CA vs Los Angeles, CAChicago, IL vs Fresno, CAFresno, CA vs Houston, TXFresno, CA vs Phoenix, AZFresno, CA vs Philadelphia, PA