Grand Rapids MI 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 Rapids, MI
Michigan · Population: 197,768
- Median HH Income$65,526
- Median Home Price$309,801
- Unemployment5.0%
- Bachelor's+40.1%
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 Rapids
197,768
Grand Rapids +
Rockford
147,649
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Grand Rapids
N/A
Rockford
N/A
Median Age
Grand Rapids
32.1
Grand Rapids +
Rockford
37.5
Foreign Born
Grand Rapids
11.3%
Rockford
12.3%
Rockford +
White
Grand Rapids
61.0%
Grand Rapids +
Rockford
55.5%
Black
Grand Rapids
17.9%
Rockford
21.8%
Rockford +
Asian
Grand Rapids
2.9%
Rockford
3.7%
Rockford +
Hispanic
Grand Rapids
16.1%
Rockford
20.6%
Rockford +
Spanish at Home
Grand Rapids
N/A
Rockford
N/A
| Metric | Grand Rapids, MI | Rockford, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 197,768 | 147,649 | Grand Rapids + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 32.1 | 37.5 | Grand Rapids + |
| Foreign Born | 11.3% | 12.3% | Rockford + |
| White | 61.0% | 55.5% | Grand Rapids + |
| Black | 17.9% | 21.8% | Rockford + |
| Asian | 2.9% | 3.7% | Rockford + |
| Hispanic | 16.1% | 20.6% | Rockford + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Grand Rapids
$65,526
Grand Rapids +
Rockford
$53,328
Per Capita Income
Grand Rapids
$33,953
Grand Rapids +
Rockford
$30,409
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Grand Rapids
$58,052
Rockford
$68,110
Rockford +
Unemployment Rate
Grand Rapids
5.0%
Grand Rapids +
Rockford
8.6%
Poverty Rate
Grand Rapids
18.6%
Grand Rapids +
Rockford
21.9%
Bachelor's Degree+
Grand Rapids
40.1%
Grand Rapids +
Rockford
23.2%
| Metric | Grand Rapids, MI | Rockford, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $65,526 | $53,328 | Grand Rapids + |
| Per Capita Income | $33,953 | $30,409 | Grand Rapids + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,052 | $68,110 | Rockford + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.0% | 8.6% | Grand Rapids + |
| Poverty Rate | 18.6% | 21.9% | Grand Rapids + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 40.1% | 23.2% | Grand Rapids + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Grand Rapids
$309,801
Rockford
$180,220
Rockford +
Homeownership Rate
Grand Rapids
54.6%
Grand Rapids +
Rockford
53.8%
| Metric | Grand Rapids, MI | Rockford, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $309,801 | $180,220 | Rockford + |
| Homeownership Rate | 54.6% | 53.8% | Grand Rapids + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Grand Rapids
471
Rockford
344
Rockford +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Grand Rapids
1590
Grand Rapids +
Rockford
1842
| Metric | Grand Rapids, MI | Rockford, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 471 | 344 | Rockford + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1590 | 1842 | Grand Rapids + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Grand Rapids
36.4%
Grand Rapids +
Rockford
44.7%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Grand Rapids
10.4%
Grand Rapids +
Rockford
15.4%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Grand Rapids
18.9%
Grand Rapids +
Rockford
19.0%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Grand Rapids
9.9%
Grand Rapids +
Rockford
14.0%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Grand Rapids
17.6%
Rockford
15.5%
Rockford +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Grand Rapids
14.0%
Grand Rapids +
Rockford
18.1%
| Metric | Grand Rapids, MI | Rockford, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 36.4% | 44.7% | Grand Rapids + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 10.4% | 15.4% | Grand Rapids + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.9% | 19.0% | Grand Rapids + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.9% | 14.0% | Grand Rapids + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 17.6% | 15.5% | Rockford + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 14.0% | 18.1% | Grand Rapids + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Grand Rapids
49.1°F
Grand Rapids +
Rockford
49.2°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Grand Rapids
38.3 in
Rockford
36.2 in
Rockford +
| Metric | Grand Rapids, MI | Rockford, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 49.1°F | 49.2°F | Grand Rapids + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 38.3 in | 36.2 in | Rockford + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Grand Rapids
10.7 µg/m³
Rockford
9.4 µg/m³
Rockford +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Grand Rapids
55.0%
Rockford
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Grand Rapids, MI | Rockford, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 10.7 µg/m³ | 9.4 µg/m³ | Rockford + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 55.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Grand Rapids
21.1 min
Grand Rapids +
Rockford
22.7 min
| Metric | Grand Rapids, MI | Rockford, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 21.1 min | 22.7 min | Grand Rapids + |
Which City is Right for You?
Grand Rapids leads in median household income at $65,526, 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 471 in Grand Rapids. Grand Rapids has a lower unemployment rate at 5.0%, and Rockford has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 9.4 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Grand Rapids scores better with a lower obesity rate of 36.4%.
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