Glendale AZ 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)
Glendale, AZ
Arizona · Population: 271,118
- Median HH Income$121,351
- Median Home Price$408,630
- Unemployment3.3%
- Bachelor's+47.5%
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
Glendale
271,118
Glendale +
Rockford
147,649
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Glendale
N/A
Rockford
N/A
Median Age
Glendale
35.7
Glendale +
Rockford
37.5
Foreign Born
Glendale
9.6%
Rockford
12.3%
Rockford +
White
Glendale
72.7%
Glendale +
Rockford
55.5%
Black
Glendale
3.4%
Rockford
21.8%
Rockford +
Asian
Glendale
6.6%
Glendale +
Rockford
3.7%
Hispanic
Glendale
17.5%
Rockford
20.6%
Rockford +
Spanish at Home
Glendale
N/A
Rockford
N/A
| Metric | Glendale, AZ | Rockford, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 271,118 | 147,649 | Glendale + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.7 | 37.5 | Glendale + |
| Foreign Born | 9.6% | 12.3% | Rockford + |
| White | 72.7% | 55.5% | Glendale + |
| Black | 3.4% | 21.8% | Rockford + |
| Asian | 6.6% | 3.7% | Glendale + |
| Hispanic | 17.5% | 20.6% | Rockford + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Glendale
$121,351
Glendale +
Rockford
$53,328
Per Capita Income
Glendale
$49,825
Glendale +
Rockford
$30,409
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Glendale
$59,120
Rockford
$68,110
Rockford +
Unemployment Rate
Glendale
3.3%
Glendale +
Rockford
8.6%
Poverty Rate
Glendale
5.1%
Glendale +
Rockford
21.9%
Bachelor's Degree+
Glendale
47.5%
Glendale +
Rockford
23.2%
| Metric | Glendale, AZ | Rockford, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $121,351 | $53,328 | Glendale + |
| Per Capita Income | $49,825 | $30,409 | Glendale + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $59,120 | $68,110 | Rockford + |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.3% | 8.6% | Glendale + |
| Poverty Rate | 5.1% | 21.9% | Glendale + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 47.5% | 23.2% | Glendale + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Glendale
$408,630
Rockford
$180,220
Rockford +
Homeownership Rate
Glendale
73.9%
Glendale +
Rockford
53.8%
| Metric | Glendale, AZ | Rockford, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $408,630 | $180,220 | Rockford + |
| Homeownership Rate | 73.9% | 53.8% | Glendale + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Glendale
450
Rockford
344
Rockford +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Glendale
2150
Rockford
1842
Rockford +
| Metric | Glendale, AZ | Rockford, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 450 | 344 | Rockford + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2150 | 1842 | Rockford + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Glendale
32.9%
Glendale +
Rockford
44.7%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Glendale
11.7%
Glendale +
Rockford
15.4%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Glendale
16.7%
Glendale +
Rockford
19.0%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Glendale
17.6%
Rockford
14.0%
Rockford +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Glendale
15.7%
Rockford
15.5%
Rockford +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Glendale
13.2%
Glendale +
Rockford
18.1%
| Metric | Glendale, AZ | Rockford, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 32.9% | 44.7% | Glendale + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.7% | 15.4% | Glendale + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.7% | 19.0% | Glendale + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 17.6% | 14.0% | Rockford + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.7% | 15.5% | Rockford + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 13.2% | 18.1% | Glendale + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Glendale
N/A
Rockford
49.2°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Glendale
N/A
Rockford
36.2 in
| Metric | Glendale, AZ | Rockford, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 49.2°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 36.2 in | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Glendale
7.1 µg/m³
Glendale +
Rockford
9.4 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Glendale
75.0%
Glendale +
Rockford
55.0%
| Metric | Glendale, AZ | Rockford, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.1 µg/m³ | 9.4 µg/m³ | Glendale + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Glendale + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Glendale
28.0 min
Rockford
22.7 min
Rockford +
| Metric | Glendale, AZ | Rockford, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 28.0 min | 22.7 min | Rockford + |
Which City is Right for You?
Glendale leads in median household income at $121,351, 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 450 in Glendale. Glendale has a lower unemployment rate at 3.3%, and Glendale has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.1 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Glendale scores better with a lower obesity rate of 32.9%.
Compare More Cities
Glendale, AZ vs New York, NYGlendale, AZ vs Los Angeles, CAChicago, IL vs Glendale, AZGlendale, AZ vs Houston, TXGlendale, AZ vs Phoenix, AZGlendale, AZ vs Philadelphia, PA