Grand Prairie TX 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 Prairie, TX
Texas · Population: 198,564
- Median HH Income$78,889
- Median Home Price$318,759
- Unemployment5.1%
- Bachelor's+29.0%
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 Prairie
198,564
Grand Prairie +
Rockford
147,649
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Grand Prairie
N/A
Rockford
N/A
Median Age
Grand Prairie
33.5
Grand Prairie +
Rockford
37.5
Foreign Born
Grand Prairie
23.7%
Grand Prairie +
Rockford
12.3%
White
Grand Prairie
32.9%
Rockford
55.5%
Rockford +
Black
Grand Prairie
24.6%
Grand Prairie +
Rockford
21.8%
Asian
Grand Prairie
6.5%
Grand Prairie +
Rockford
3.7%
Hispanic
Grand Prairie
47.2%
Grand Prairie +
Rockford
20.6%
Spanish at Home
Grand Prairie
N/A
Rockford
N/A
| Metric | Grand Prairie, TX | Rockford, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 198,564 | 147,649 | Grand Prairie + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 33.5 | 37.5 | Grand Prairie + |
| Foreign Born | 23.7% | 12.3% | Grand Prairie + |
| White | 32.9% | 55.5% | Rockford + |
| Black | 24.6% | 21.8% | Grand Prairie + |
| Asian | 6.5% | 3.7% | Grand Prairie + |
| Hispanic | 47.2% | 20.6% | Grand Prairie + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Grand Prairie
$78,889
Grand Prairie +
Rockford
$53,328
Per Capita Income
Grand Prairie
$34,348
Grand Prairie +
Rockford
$30,409
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Grand Prairie
$63,758
Rockford
$68,110
Rockford +
Unemployment Rate
Grand Prairie
5.1%
Grand Prairie +
Rockford
8.6%
Poverty Rate
Grand Prairie
12.0%
Grand Prairie +
Rockford
21.9%
Bachelor's Degree+
Grand Prairie
29.0%
Grand Prairie +
Rockford
23.2%
| Metric | Grand Prairie, TX | Rockford, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $78,889 | $53,328 | Grand Prairie + |
| Per Capita Income | $34,348 | $30,409 | Grand Prairie + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $63,758 | $68,110 | Rockford + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.1% | 8.6% | Grand Prairie + |
| Poverty Rate | 12.0% | 21.9% | Grand Prairie + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 29.0% | 23.2% | Grand Prairie + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Grand Prairie
$318,759
Rockford
$180,220
Rockford +
Homeownership Rate
Grand Prairie
57.9%
Grand Prairie +
Rockford
53.8%
| Metric | Grand Prairie, TX | Rockford, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $318,759 | $180,220 | Rockford + |
| Homeownership Rate | 57.9% | 53.8% | Grand Prairie + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Grand Prairie
442
Rockford
344
Rockford +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Grand Prairie
2339
Rockford
1842
Rockford +
| Metric | Grand Prairie, TX | Rockford, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 442 | 344 | Rockford + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2339 | 1842 | Rockford + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Grand Prairie
35.8%
Grand Prairie +
Rockford
44.7%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Grand Prairie
12.5%
Grand Prairie +
Rockford
15.4%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Grand Prairie
17.6%
Grand Prairie +
Rockford
19.0%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Grand Prairie
22.3%
Rockford
14.0%
Rockford +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Grand Prairie
16.4%
Rockford
15.5%
Rockford +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Grand Prairie
12.9%
Grand Prairie +
Rockford
18.1%
| Metric | Grand Prairie, TX | Rockford, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 35.8% | 44.7% | Grand Prairie + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.5% | 15.4% | Grand Prairie + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.6% | 19.0% | Grand Prairie + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 22.3% | 14.0% | Rockford + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.4% | 15.5% | Rockford + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.9% | 18.1% | Grand Prairie + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Grand Prairie
N/A
Rockford
49.2°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Grand Prairie
N/A
Rockford
36.2 in
| Metric | Grand Prairie, TX | 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.)
Grand Prairie
9.2 µg/m³
Grand Prairie +
Rockford
9.4 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Grand Prairie
55.0%
Rockford
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Grand Prairie, TX | Rockford, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.2 µg/m³ | 9.4 µg/m³ | Grand Prairie + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 55.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Grand Prairie
30.5 min
Rockford
22.7 min
Rockford +
| Metric | Grand Prairie, TX | Rockford, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 30.5 min | 22.7 min | Rockford + |
Which City is Right for You?
Grand Prairie leads in median household income at $78,889, 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 442 in Grand Prairie. Grand Prairie has a lower unemployment rate at 5.1%, and Grand Prairie has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 9.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Grand Prairie scores better with a lower obesity rate of 35.8%.
Compare More Cities
Grand Prairie, TX vs New York, NYGrand Prairie, TX vs Los Angeles, CAChicago, IL vs Grand Prairie, TXGrand Prairie, TX vs Houston, TXGrand Prairie, TX vs Phoenix, AZGrand Prairie, TX vs Philadelphia, PA