Gresham OR 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)
Gresham, OR
Oregon · Population: 112,818
- Median HH Income$73,608
- Median Home Price$472,119
- Unemployment5.3%
- Bachelor's+23.6%
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
Gresham
112,818
Rockford
147,649
Rockford +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Gresham
N/A
Rockford
N/A
Median Age
Gresham
37.2
Gresham +
Rockford
37.5
Foreign Born
Gresham
16.5%
Gresham +
Rockford
12.3%
White
Gresham
67.7%
Gresham +
Rockford
55.5%
Black
Gresham
4.4%
Rockford
21.8%
Rockford +
Asian
Gresham
5.7%
Gresham +
Rockford
3.7%
Hispanic
Gresham
21.1%
Gresham +
Rockford
20.6%
Spanish at Home
Gresham
N/A
Rockford
N/A
| Metric | Gresham, OR | Rockford, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 112,818 | 147,649 | Rockford + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 37.2 | 37.5 | Gresham + |
| Foreign Born | 16.5% | 12.3% | Gresham + |
| White | 67.7% | 55.5% | Gresham + |
| Black | 4.4% | 21.8% | Rockford + |
| Asian | 5.7% | 3.7% | Gresham + |
| Hispanic | 21.1% | 20.6% | Gresham + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Gresham
$73,608
Gresham +
Rockford
$53,328
Per Capita Income
Gresham
$35,390
Gresham +
Rockford
$30,409
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Gresham
$63,691
Rockford
$68,110
Rockford +
Unemployment Rate
Gresham
5.3%
Gresham +
Rockford
8.6%
Poverty Rate
Gresham
12.7%
Gresham +
Rockford
21.9%
Bachelor's Degree+
Gresham
23.6%
Gresham +
Rockford
23.2%
| Metric | Gresham, OR | Rockford, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $73,608 | $53,328 | Gresham + |
| Per Capita Income | $35,390 | $30,409 | Gresham + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $63,691 | $68,110 | Rockford + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.3% | 8.6% | Gresham + |
| Poverty Rate | 12.7% | 21.9% | Gresham + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 23.6% | 23.2% | Gresham + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Gresham
$472,119
Rockford
$180,220
Rockford +
Homeownership Rate
Gresham
56.1%
Gresham +
Rockford
53.8%
| Metric | Gresham, OR | Rockford, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $472,119 | $180,220 | Rockford + |
| Homeownership Rate | 56.1% | 53.8% | Gresham + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Gresham
355
Rockford
344
Rockford +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Gresham
3001
Rockford
1842
Rockford +
| Metric | Gresham, OR | Rockford, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 355 | 344 | Rockford + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 3001 | 1842 | Rockford + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Gresham
31.2%
Gresham +
Rockford
44.7%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Gresham
11.3%
Gresham +
Rockford
15.4%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Gresham
20.4%
Rockford
19.0%
Rockford +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Gresham
11.0%
Gresham +
Rockford
14.0%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Gresham
16.2%
Rockford
15.5%
Rockford +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Gresham
15.3%
Gresham +
Rockford
18.1%
| Metric | Gresham, OR | Rockford, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 31.2% | 44.7% | Gresham + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.3% | 15.4% | Gresham + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 20.4% | 19.0% | Rockford + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.0% | 14.0% | Gresham + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.2% | 15.5% | Rockford + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 15.3% | 18.1% | Gresham + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Gresham
N/A
Rockford
49.2°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Gresham
N/A
Rockford
36.2 in
| Metric | Gresham, OR | 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.)
Gresham
9.0 µg/m³
Gresham +
Rockford
9.4 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Gresham
55.0%
Rockford
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Gresham, OR | Rockford, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.0 µg/m³ | 9.4 µg/m³ | Gresham + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 55.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Gresham
28.8 min
Rockford
22.7 min
Rockford +
| Metric | Gresham, OR | Rockford, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 28.8 min | 22.7 min | Rockford + |
Which City is Right for You?
Gresham leads in median household income at $73,608, 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 355 in Gresham. Gresham has a lower unemployment rate at 5.3%, and Gresham has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 9.0 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Gresham scores better with a lower obesity rate of 31.2%.
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