Hampton VA 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)
Hampton, VA
Virginia · Population: 137,334
- Median HH Income$67,758
- Median Home Price$278,048
- Unemployment6.3%
- Bachelor's+27.5%
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
Hampton
137,334
Rockford
147,649
Rockford +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Hampton
N/A
Rockford
N/A
Median Age
Hampton
36.5
Hampton +
Rockford
37.5
Foreign Born
Hampton
5.2%
Rockford
12.3%
Rockford +
White
Hampton
37.5%
Rockford
55.5%
Rockford +
Black
Hampton
49.0%
Hampton +
Rockford
21.8%
Asian
Hampton
2.2%
Rockford
3.7%
Rockford +
Hispanic
Hampton
6.6%
Rockford
20.6%
Rockford +
Spanish at Home
Hampton
N/A
Rockford
N/A
| Metric | Hampton, VA | Rockford, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 137,334 | 147,649 | Rockford + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.5 | 37.5 | Hampton + |
| Foreign Born | 5.2% | 12.3% | Rockford + |
| White | 37.5% | 55.5% | Rockford + |
| Black | 49.0% | 21.8% | Hampton + |
| Asian | 2.2% | 3.7% | Rockford + |
| Hispanic | 6.6% | 20.6% | Rockford + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Hampton
$67,758
Hampton +
Rockford
$53,328
Per Capita Income
Hampton
$36,787
Hampton +
Rockford
$30,409
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Hampton
$69,581
Hampton +
Rockford
$68,110
Unemployment Rate
Hampton
6.3%
Hampton +
Rockford
8.6%
Poverty Rate
Hampton
13.0%
Hampton +
Rockford
21.9%
Bachelor's Degree+
Hampton
27.5%
Hampton +
Rockford
23.2%
| Metric | Hampton, VA | Rockford, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $67,758 | $53,328 | Hampton + |
| Per Capita Income | $36,787 | $30,409 | Hampton + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $69,581 | $68,110 | Hampton + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.3% | 8.6% | Hampton + |
| Poverty Rate | 13.0% | 21.9% | Hampton + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 27.5% | 23.2% | Hampton + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Hampton
$278,048
Rockford
$180,220
Rockford +
Homeownership Rate
Hampton
55.6%
Hampton +
Rockford
53.8%
| Metric | Hampton, VA | Rockford, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $278,048 | $180,220 | Rockford + |
| Homeownership Rate | 55.6% | 53.8% | Hampton + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Hampton
240
Hampton +
Rockford
344
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Hampton
1726
Hampton +
Rockford
1842
| Metric | Hampton, VA | Rockford, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 240 | 344 | Hampton + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1726 | 1842 | Hampton + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Hampton
40.1%
Hampton +
Rockford
44.7%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Hampton
15.0%
Hampton +
Rockford
15.4%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Hampton
18.4%
Hampton +
Rockford
19.0%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Hampton
9.5%
Hampton +
Rockford
14.0%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Hampton
13.1%
Hampton +
Rockford
15.5%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Hampton
14.3%
Hampton +
Rockford
18.1%
| Metric | Hampton, VA | Rockford, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 40.1% | 44.7% | Hampton + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 15.0% | 15.4% | Hampton + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.4% | 19.0% | Hampton + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.5% | 14.0% | Hampton + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 13.1% | 15.5% | Hampton + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 14.3% | 18.1% | Hampton + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Hampton
61.9°F
Rockford
49.2°F
Rockford +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Hampton
N/A
Rockford
36.2 in
| Metric | Hampton, VA | Rockford, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 61.9°F | 49.2°F | Rockford + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 36.2 in | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Hampton
8.2 µg/m³
Hampton +
Rockford
9.4 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Hampton
75.0%
Hampton +
Rockford
55.0%
| Metric | Hampton, VA | Rockford, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.2 µg/m³ | 9.4 µg/m³ | Hampton + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Hampton + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Hampton
24.0 min
Rockford
22.7 min
Rockford +
| Metric | Hampton, VA | Rockford, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 24.0 min | 22.7 min | Rockford + |
Which City is Right for You?
Hampton leads in median household income at $67,758, while rockford offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $180,220. On public safety, Hampton is safer with a violent crime rate of 240 per 100,000 residents, compared to 344 in Rockford. Hampton has a lower unemployment rate at 6.3%, and Hampton has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Hampton scores better with a lower obesity rate of 40.1%.
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