Hartford CT 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)
Hartford, CT
Connecticut · Population: 119,970
- Median HH Income$45,300
- Median Home Price$199,359
- Unemployment10.6%
- Bachelor's+18.3%
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
Hartford
119,970
Rockford
147,649
Rockford +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Hartford
N/A
Rockford
N/A
Median Age
Hartford
33.4
Hartford +
Rockford
37.5
Foreign Born
Hartford
23.0%
Hartford +
Rockford
12.3%
White
Hartford
26.4%
Rockford
55.5%
Rockford +
Black
Hartford
36.1%
Hartford +
Rockford
21.8%
Asian
Hartford
2.3%
Rockford
3.7%
Rockford +
Hispanic
Hartford
44.8%
Hartford +
Rockford
20.6%
Spanish at Home
Hartford
N/A
Rockford
N/A
| Metric | Hartford, CT | Rockford, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 119,970 | 147,649 | Rockford + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 33.4 | 37.5 | Hartford + |
| Foreign Born | 23.0% | 12.3% | Hartford + |
| White | 26.4% | 55.5% | Rockford + |
| Black | 36.1% | 21.8% | Hartford + |
| Asian | 2.3% | 3.7% | Rockford + |
| Hispanic | 44.8% | 20.6% | Hartford + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Hartford
$45,300
Rockford
$53,328
Rockford +
Per Capita Income
Hartford
$27,319
Rockford
$30,409
Rockford +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Hartford
$85,393
Hartford +
Rockford
$68,110
Unemployment Rate
Hartford
10.6%
Rockford
8.6%
Rockford +
Poverty Rate
Hartford
25.5%
Rockford
21.9%
Rockford +
Bachelor's Degree+
Hartford
18.3%
Rockford
23.2%
Rockford +
| Metric | Hartford, CT | Rockford, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $45,300 | $53,328 | Rockford + |
| Per Capita Income | $27,319 | $30,409 | Rockford + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $85,393 | $68,110 | Hartford + |
| Unemployment Rate | 10.6% | 8.6% | Rockford + |
| Poverty Rate | 25.5% | 21.9% | Rockford + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 18.3% | 23.2% | Rockford + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Hartford
$199,359
Rockford
$180,220
Rockford +
Homeownership Rate
Hartford
25.8%
Rockford
53.8%
Rockford +
| Metric | Hartford, CT | Rockford, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $199,359 | $180,220 | Rockford + |
| Homeownership Rate | 25.8% | 53.8% | Rockford + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Hartford
156
Hartford +
Rockford
344
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Hartford
1524
Hartford +
Rockford
1842
| Metric | Hartford, CT | Rockford, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 156 | 344 | Hartford + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1524 | 1842 | Hartford + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Hartford
40.4%
Hartford +
Rockford
44.7%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Hartford
15.8%
Rockford
15.4%
Rockford +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Hartford
20.8%
Rockford
19.0%
Rockford +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Hartford
20.3%
Rockford
14.0%
Rockford +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Hartford
13.7%
Hartford +
Rockford
15.5%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Hartford
16.3%
Hartford +
Rockford
18.1%
| Metric | Hartford, CT | Rockford, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 40.4% | 44.7% | Hartford + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 15.8% | 15.4% | Rockford + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 20.8% | 19.0% | Rockford + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 20.3% | 14.0% | Rockford + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 13.7% | 15.5% | Hartford + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 16.3% | 18.1% | Hartford + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Hartford
50.6°F
Rockford
49.2°F
Rockford +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Hartford
45.9 in
Rockford
36.2 in
Rockford +
| Metric | Hartford, CT | Rockford, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 50.6°F | 49.2°F | Rockford + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 45.9 in | 36.2 in | Rockford + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Hartford
7.7 µg/m³
Hartford +
Rockford
9.4 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Hartford
75.0%
Hartford +
Rockford
55.0%
| Metric | Hartford, CT | Rockford, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.7 µg/m³ | 9.4 µg/m³ | Hartford + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Hartford + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Hartford
24.4 min
Rockford
22.7 min
Rockford +
| Metric | Hartford, CT | Rockford, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 24.4 min | 22.7 min | Rockford + |
Which City is Right for You?
Rockford leads in median household income at $53,328, while rockford offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $180,220. On public safety, Hartford is safer with a violent crime rate of 156 per 100,000 residents, compared to 344 in Rockford. Rockford has a lower unemployment rate at 8.6%, and Hartford has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.7 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Hartford scores better with a lower obesity rate of 40.4%.
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