Grand Island NE 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)
Grand Island, NE
Nebraska · Population: N/A
- Median HH IncomeN/A
- Median Home Price$254,245
- UnemploymentN/A
- Bachelor's+N/A
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
Grand Island
N/A
Rockford
147,649
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Grand Island
N/A
Rockford
N/A
Median Age
Grand Island
N/A
Rockford
37.5
Foreign Born
Grand Island
N/A
Rockford
12.3%
White
Grand Island
N/A
Rockford
55.5%
Black
Grand Island
N/A
Rockford
21.8%
Asian
Grand Island
N/A
Rockford
3.7%
Hispanic
Grand Island
N/A
Rockford
20.6%
Spanish at Home
Grand Island
N/A
Rockford
N/A
| Metric | Grand Island, NE | Rockford, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | N/A | 147,649 | - |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | N/A | 37.5 | - |
| Foreign Born | N/A | 12.3% | - |
| White | N/A | 55.5% | - |
| Black | N/A | 21.8% | - |
| Asian | N/A | 3.7% | - |
| Hispanic | N/A | 20.6% | - |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Grand Island
N/A
Rockford
$53,328
Per Capita Income
Grand Island
N/A
Rockford
$30,409
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Grand Island
$66,354
Rockford
$68,110
Rockford +
Unemployment Rate
Grand Island
N/A
Rockford
8.6%
Poverty Rate
Grand Island
N/A
Rockford
21.9%
Bachelor's Degree+
Grand Island
N/A
Rockford
23.2%
| Metric | Grand Island, NE | Rockford, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | N/A | $53,328 | - |
| Per Capita Income | N/A | $30,409 | - |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $66,354 | $68,110 | Rockford + |
| Unemployment Rate | N/A | 8.6% | - |
| Poverty Rate | N/A | 21.9% | - |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | N/A | 23.2% | - |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Grand Island
$254,245
Rockford
$180,220
Rockford +
Homeownership Rate
Grand Island
N/A
Rockford
53.8%
| Metric | Grand Island, NE | Rockford, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $254,245 | $180,220 | Rockford + |
| Homeownership Rate | N/A | 53.8% | - |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Grand Island
294
Grand Island +
Rockford
344
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Grand Island
1960
Rockford
1842
Rockford +
| Metric | Grand Island, NE | Rockford, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 294 | 344 | Grand Island + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1960 | 1842 | Rockford + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Grand Island
41.5%
Grand Island +
Rockford
44.7%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Grand Island
11.6%
Grand Island +
Rockford
15.4%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Grand Island
14.4%
Grand Island +
Rockford
19.0%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Grand Island
17.5%
Rockford
14.0%
Rockford +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Grand Island
19.1%
Rockford
15.5%
Rockford +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Grand Island
14.8%
Grand Island +
Rockford
18.1%
| Metric | Grand Island, NE | Rockford, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 41.5% | 44.7% | Grand Island + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.6% | 15.4% | Grand Island + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 14.4% | 19.0% | Grand Island + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 17.5% | 14.0% | Rockford + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 19.1% | 15.5% | Rockford + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 14.8% | 18.1% | Grand Island + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Grand Island
50.8°F
Rockford
49.2°F
Rockford +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Grand Island
26.7 in
Grand Island +
Rockford
36.2 in
| Metric | Grand Island, NE | Rockford, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 50.8°F | 49.2°F | Rockford + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 26.7 in | 36.2 in | Grand Island + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Grand Island
7.6 µg/m³
Grand Island +
Rockford
9.4 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Grand Island
75.0%
Grand Island +
Rockford
55.0%
| Metric | Grand Island, NE | Rockford, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.6 µg/m³ | 9.4 µg/m³ | Grand Island + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Grand Island + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Grand Island
N/A
Rockford
22.7 min
| Metric | Grand Island, NE | Rockford, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | N/A | 22.7 min | - |
Which City is Right for You?
Rockford offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $180,220. On public safety, Grand Island is safer with a violent crime rate of 294 per 100,000 residents, compared to 344 in Rockford. Grand Island has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.6 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Grand Island scores better with a lower obesity rate of 41.5%.
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