Hialeah FL 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)
Hialeah, FL
Florida · Population: 221,901
- Median HH Income$53,079
- Median Home Price$444,086
- Unemployment3.7%
- Bachelor's+21.2%
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
Hialeah
221,901
Hialeah +
Rockford
147,649
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Hialeah
N/A
Rockford
N/A
Median Age
Hialeah
45.9
Rockford
37.5
Rockford +
Foreign Born
Hialeah
74.7%
Hialeah +
Rockford
12.3%
White
Hialeah
32.4%
Rockford
55.5%
Rockford +
Black
Hialeah
1.3%
Rockford
21.8%
Rockford +
Asian
Hialeah
0.6%
Rockford
3.7%
Rockford +
Hispanic
Hialeah
95.2%
Hialeah +
Rockford
20.6%
Spanish at Home
Hialeah
N/A
Rockford
N/A
| Metric | Hialeah, FL | Rockford, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 221,901 | 147,649 | Hialeah + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 45.9 | 37.5 | Rockford + |
| Foreign Born | 74.7% | 12.3% | Hialeah + |
| White | 32.4% | 55.5% | Rockford + |
| Black | 1.3% | 21.8% | Rockford + |
| Asian | 0.6% | 3.7% | Rockford + |
| Hispanic | 95.2% | 20.6% | Hialeah + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Hialeah
$53,079
Rockford
$53,328
Rockford +
Per Capita Income
Hialeah
$25,766
Rockford
$30,409
Rockford +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Hialeah
$65,328
Rockford
$68,110
Rockford +
Unemployment Rate
Hialeah
3.7%
Hialeah +
Rockford
8.6%
Poverty Rate
Hialeah
17.5%
Hialeah +
Rockford
21.9%
Bachelor's Degree+
Hialeah
21.2%
Rockford
23.2%
Rockford +
| Metric | Hialeah, FL | Rockford, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $53,079 | $53,328 | Rockford + |
| Per Capita Income | $25,766 | $30,409 | Rockford + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $65,328 | $68,110 | Rockford + |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.7% | 8.6% | Hialeah + |
| Poverty Rate | 17.5% | 21.9% | Hialeah + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 21.2% | 23.2% | Rockford + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Hialeah
$444,086
Rockford
$180,220
Rockford +
Homeownership Rate
Hialeah
47.1%
Rockford
53.8%
Rockford +
| Metric | Hialeah, FL | Rockford, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $444,086 | $180,220 | Rockford + |
| Homeownership Rate | 47.1% | 53.8% | Rockford + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Hialeah
324
Hialeah +
Rockford
344
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Hialeah
1453
Hialeah +
Rockford
1842
| Metric | Hialeah, FL | Rockford, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 324 | 344 | Hialeah + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1453 | 1842 | Hialeah + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Hialeah
30.9%
Hialeah +
Rockford
44.7%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Hialeah
19.1%
Rockford
15.4%
Rockford +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Hialeah
14.2%
Hialeah +
Rockford
19.0%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Hialeah
34.7%
Rockford
14.0%
Rockford +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Hialeah
13.4%
Hialeah +
Rockford
15.5%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Hialeah
12.1%
Hialeah +
Rockford
18.1%
| Metric | Hialeah, FL | Rockford, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 30.9% | 44.7% | Hialeah + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 19.1% | 15.4% | Rockford + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 14.2% | 19.0% | Hialeah + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 34.7% | 14.0% | Rockford + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 13.4% | 15.5% | Hialeah + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.1% | 18.1% | Hialeah + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Hialeah
76.0°F
Rockford
49.2°F
Rockford +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Hialeah
70.4 in
Rockford
36.2 in
Rockford +
| Metric | Hialeah, FL | Rockford, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 76.0°F | 49.2°F | Rockford + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 70.4 in | 36.2 in | Rockford + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Hialeah
7.2 µg/m³
Hialeah +
Rockford
9.4 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Hialeah
75.0%
Hialeah +
Rockford
55.0%
| Metric | Hialeah, FL | Rockford, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.2 µg/m³ | 9.4 µg/m³ | Hialeah + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Hialeah + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Hialeah
31.7 min
Rockford
22.7 min
Rockford +
| Metric | Hialeah, FL | Rockford, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 31.7 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, Hialeah is safer with a violent crime rate of 324 per 100,000 residents, compared to 344 in Rockford. Hialeah has a lower unemployment rate at 3.7%, and Hialeah has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Hialeah scores better with a lower obesity rate of 30.9%.
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