Houston TX 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)
Houston, TX
Texas · Population: 2,300,419
- Median HH Income$62,894
- Median Home Price$265,062
- Unemployment6.7%
- Bachelor's+36.0%
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
Houston
2,300,419
Houston +
Rockford
147,649
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Houston
N/A
Rockford
N/A
Median Age
Houston
34.3
Houston +
Rockford
37.5
Foreign Born
Houston
28.8%
Houston +
Rockford
12.3%
White
Houston
35.5%
Rockford
55.5%
Rockford +
Black
Houston
22.9%
Houston +
Rockford
21.8%
Asian
Houston
6.9%
Houston +
Rockford
3.7%
Hispanic
Houston
44.1%
Houston +
Rockford
20.6%
Spanish at Home
Houston
N/A
Rockford
N/A
| Metric | Houston, TX | Rockford, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 2,300,419 | 147,649 | Houston + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.3 | 37.5 | Houston + |
| Foreign Born | 28.8% | 12.3% | Houston + |
| White | 35.5% | 55.5% | Rockford + |
| Black | 22.9% | 21.8% | Houston + |
| Asian | 6.9% | 3.7% | Houston + |
| Hispanic | 44.1% | 20.6% | Houston + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Houston
$62,894
Houston +
Rockford
$53,328
Per Capita Income
Houston
$41,142
Houston +
Rockford
$30,409
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Houston
$63,758
Rockford
$68,110
Rockford +
Unemployment Rate
Houston
6.7%
Houston +
Rockford
8.6%
Poverty Rate
Houston
19.7%
Houston +
Rockford
21.9%
Bachelor's Degree+
Houston
36.0%
Houston +
Rockford
23.2%
| Metric | Houston, TX | Rockford, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $62,894 | $53,328 | Houston + |
| Per Capita Income | $41,142 | $30,409 | Houston + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $63,758 | $68,110 | Rockford + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.7% | 8.6% | Houston + |
| Poverty Rate | 19.7% | 21.9% | Houston + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 36.0% | 23.2% | Houston + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Houston
$265,062
Rockford
$180,220
Rockford +
Homeownership Rate
Houston
42.0%
Rockford
53.8%
Rockford +
| Metric | Houston, TX | Rockford, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $265,062 | $180,220 | Rockford + |
| Homeownership Rate | 42.0% | 53.8% | Rockford + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Houston
442
Rockford
344
Rockford +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Houston
2339
Rockford
1842
Rockford +
| Metric | Houston, TX | Rockford, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 442 | 344 | Rockford + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2339 | 1842 | Rockford + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Houston
38.0%
Houston +
Rockford
44.7%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Houston
13.9%
Houston +
Rockford
15.4%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Houston
17.1%
Houston +
Rockford
19.0%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Houston
24.0%
Rockford
14.0%
Rockford +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Houston
16.7%
Rockford
15.5%
Rockford +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Houston
13.6%
Houston +
Rockford
18.1%
| Metric | Houston, TX | Rockford, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 38.0% | 44.7% | Houston + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.9% | 15.4% | Houston + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.1% | 19.0% | Houston + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 24.0% | 14.0% | Rockford + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.7% | 15.5% | Rockford + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 13.6% | 18.1% | Houston + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Houston
N/A
Rockford
49.2°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Houston
48.7 in
Rockford
36.2 in
Rockford +
| Metric | Houston, TX | Rockford, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 49.2°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 48.7 in | 36.2 in | Rockford + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Houston
9.2 µg/m³
Houston +
Rockford
9.4 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Houston
55.0%
Rockford
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Houston, TX | Rockford, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.2 µg/m³ | 9.4 µg/m³ | Houston + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 55.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Houston
29.6 min
Rockford
22.7 min
Rockford +
| Metric | Houston, TX | Rockford, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 29.6 min | 22.7 min | Rockford + |
Which City is Right for You?
Houston leads in median household income at $62,894, 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 442 in Houston. Houston has a lower unemployment rate at 6.7%, and Houston has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 9.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Houston scores better with a lower obesity rate of 38.0%.
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