Gainesville FL 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)
Gainesville, FL
Florida · Population: 143,611
- Median HH Income$45,611
- Median Home Price$299,633
- Unemployment4.8%
- Bachelor's+51.7%
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
Gainesville
143,611
Rockford
147,649
Rockford +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Gainesville
N/A
Rockford
N/A
Median Age
Gainesville
26.5
Gainesville +
Rockford
37.5
Foreign Born
Gainesville
12.1%
Rockford
12.3%
Rockford +
White
Gainesville
59.2%
Gainesville +
Rockford
55.5%
Black
Gainesville
21.6%
Rockford
21.8%
Rockford +
Asian
Gainesville
6.2%
Gainesville +
Rockford
3.7%
Hispanic
Gainesville
13.4%
Rockford
20.6%
Rockford +
Spanish at Home
Gainesville
N/A
Rockford
N/A
| Metric | Gainesville, FL | Rockford, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 143,611 | 147,649 | Rockford + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 26.5 | 37.5 | Gainesville + |
| Foreign Born | 12.1% | 12.3% | Rockford + |
| White | 59.2% | 55.5% | Gainesville + |
| Black | 21.6% | 21.8% | Rockford + |
| Asian | 6.2% | 3.7% | Gainesville + |
| Hispanic | 13.4% | 20.6% | Rockford + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Gainesville
$45,611
Rockford
$53,328
Rockford +
Per Capita Income
Gainesville
$30,282
Rockford
$30,409
Rockford +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Gainesville
$65,328
Rockford
$68,110
Rockford +
Unemployment Rate
Gainesville
4.8%
Gainesville +
Rockford
8.6%
Poverty Rate
Gainesville
28.0%
Rockford
21.9%
Rockford +
Bachelor's Degree+
Gainesville
51.7%
Gainesville +
Rockford
23.2%
| Metric | Gainesville, FL | Rockford, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $45,611 | $53,328 | Rockford + |
| Per Capita Income | $30,282 | $30,409 | Rockford + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $65,328 | $68,110 | Rockford + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.8% | 8.6% | Gainesville + |
| Poverty Rate | 28.0% | 21.9% | Rockford + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 51.7% | 23.2% | Gainesville + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Gainesville
$299,633
Rockford
$180,220
Rockford +
Homeownership Rate
Gainesville
38.5%
Rockford
53.8%
Rockford +
| Metric | Gainesville, FL | Rockford, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $299,633 | $180,220 | Rockford + |
| Homeownership Rate | 38.5% | 53.8% | Rockford + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Gainesville
324
Gainesville +
Rockford
344
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Gainesville
1453
Gainesville +
Rockford
1842
| Metric | Gainesville, FL | Rockford, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 324 | 344 | Gainesville + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1453 | 1842 | Gainesville + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Gainesville
31.2%
Gainesville +
Rockford
44.7%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Gainesville
8.8%
Gainesville +
Rockford
15.4%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Gainesville
21.3%
Rockford
19.0%
Rockford +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Gainesville
13.9%
Gainesville +
Rockford
14.0%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Gainesville
17.8%
Rockford
15.5%
Rockford +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Gainesville
11.8%
Gainesville +
Rockford
18.1%
| Metric | Gainesville, FL | Rockford, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 31.2% | 44.7% | Gainesville + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 8.8% | 15.4% | Gainesville + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 21.3% | 19.0% | Rockford + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 13.9% | 14.0% | Gainesville + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 17.8% | 15.5% | Rockford + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 11.8% | 18.1% | Gainesville + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Gainesville
68.9°F
Rockford
49.2°F
Rockford +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Gainesville
47.3 in
Rockford
36.2 in
Rockford +
| Metric | Gainesville, FL | Rockford, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 68.9°F | 49.2°F | Rockford + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 47.3 in | 36.2 in | Rockford + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Gainesville
7.2 µg/m³
Gainesville +
Rockford
9.4 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Gainesville
75.0%
Gainesville +
Rockford
55.0%
| Metric | Gainesville, FL | Rockford, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.2 µg/m³ | 9.4 µg/m³ | Gainesville + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Gainesville + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Gainesville
20.1 min
Gainesville +
Rockford
22.7 min
| Metric | Gainesville, FL | Rockford, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 20.1 min | 22.7 min | Gainesville + |
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, Gainesville is safer with a violent crime rate of 324 per 100,000 residents, compared to 344 in Rockford. Gainesville has a lower unemployment rate at 4.8%, and Gainesville has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Gainesville scores better with a lower obesity rate of 31.2%.
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