Glendale 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)
Glendale, CA
California · Population: 192,270
- Median HH Income$84,262
- Median Home Price$1,205,826
- Unemployment8.2%
- Bachelor's+45.5%
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
192,270
Glendale +
Rockford
147,649
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Glendale
N/A
Rockford
N/A
Median Age
Glendale
41.4
Rockford
37.5
Rockford +
Foreign Born
Glendale
51.0%
Glendale +
Rockford
12.3%
White
Glendale
67.4%
Glendale +
Rockford
55.5%
Black
Glendale
1.7%
Rockford
21.8%
Rockford +
Asian
Glendale
13.3%
Glendale +
Rockford
3.7%
Hispanic
Glendale
18.5%
Rockford
20.6%
Rockford +
Spanish at Home
Glendale
N/A
Rockford
N/A
| Metric | Glendale, CA | Rockford, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 192,270 | 147,649 | Glendale + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 41.4 | 37.5 | Rockford + |
| Foreign Born | 51.0% | 12.3% | Glendale + |
| White | 67.4% | 55.5% | Glendale + |
| Black | 1.7% | 21.8% | Rockford + |
| Asian | 13.3% | 3.7% | Glendale + |
| Hispanic | 18.5% | 20.6% | Rockford + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Glendale
$84,262
Glendale +
Rockford
$53,328
Per Capita Income
Glendale
$46,597
Glendale +
Rockford
$30,409
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Glendale
$77,230
Glendale +
Rockford
$68,110
Unemployment Rate
Glendale
8.2%
Glendale +
Rockford
8.6%
Poverty Rate
Glendale
13.4%
Glendale +
Rockford
21.9%
Bachelor's Degree+
Glendale
45.5%
Glendale +
Rockford
23.2%
| Metric | Glendale, CA | Rockford, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $84,262 | $53,328 | Glendale + |
| Per Capita Income | $46,597 | $30,409 | Glendale + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,230 | $68,110 | Glendale + |
| Unemployment Rate | 8.2% | 8.6% | Glendale + |
| Poverty Rate | 13.4% | 21.9% | Glendale + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 45.5% | 23.2% | Glendale + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Glendale
$1,205,826
Rockford
$180,220
Rockford +
Homeownership Rate
Glendale
35.3%
Rockford
53.8%
Rockford +
| Metric | Glendale, CA | Rockford, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $1,205,826 | $180,220 | Rockford + |
| Homeownership Rate | 35.3% | 53.8% | Rockford + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Glendale
503
Rockford
344
Rockford +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Glendale
2388
Rockford
1842
Rockford +
| Metric | Glendale, 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
Glendale
24.5%
Glendale +
Rockford
44.7%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Glendale
10.9%
Glendale +
Rockford
15.4%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Glendale
16.4%
Glendale +
Rockford
19.0%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Glendale
6.8%
Glendale +
Rockford
14.0%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Glendale
15.6%
Rockford
15.5%
Rockford +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Glendale
11.5%
Glendale +
Rockford
18.1%
| Metric | Glendale, CA | Rockford, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 24.5% | 44.7% | Glendale + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 10.9% | 15.4% | Glendale + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.4% | 19.0% | Glendale + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 6.8% | 14.0% | Glendale + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.6% | 15.5% | Rockford + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 11.5% | 18.1% | Glendale + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Glendale
64.1°F
Rockford
49.2°F
Rockford +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Glendale
17.3 in
Glendale +
Rockford
36.2 in
| Metric | Glendale, CA | Rockford, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 64.1°F | 49.2°F | Rockford + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 17.3 in | 36.2 in | Glendale + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Glendale
7.9 µg/m³
Glendale +
Rockford
9.4 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Glendale
75.0%
Glendale +
Rockford
55.0%
| Metric | Glendale, CA | Rockford, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.9 µg/m³ | 9.4 µg/m³ | Glendale + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Glendale + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Glendale
30.2 min
Rockford
22.7 min
Rockford +
| Metric | Glendale, CA | Rockford, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 30.2 min | 22.7 min | Rockford + |
Which City is Right for You?
Glendale leads in median household income at $84,262, 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 Glendale. Glendale has a lower unemployment rate at 8.2%, and Glendale has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Glendale scores better with a lower obesity rate of 24.5%.
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