Independence MO 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)
Independence, MO
Missouri · Population: 121,944
- Median HH Income$59,480
- Median Home Price$210,384
- Unemployment6.0%
- Bachelor's+20.9%
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
Independence
121,944
Rockford
147,649
Rockford +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Independence
N/A
Rockford
N/A
Median Age
Independence
38.4
Rockford
37.5
Rockford +
Foreign Born
Independence
5.3%
Rockford
12.3%
Rockford +
White
Independence
72.2%
Independence +
Rockford
55.5%
Black
Independence
10.8%
Rockford
21.8%
Rockford +
Asian
Independence
1.4%
Rockford
3.7%
Rockford +
Hispanic
Independence
12.4%
Rockford
20.6%
Rockford +
Spanish at Home
Independence
N/A
Rockford
N/A
| Metric | Independence, MO | Rockford, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 121,944 | 147,649 | Rockford + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 38.4 | 37.5 | Rockford + |
| Foreign Born | 5.3% | 12.3% | Rockford + |
| White | 72.2% | 55.5% | Independence + |
| Black | 10.8% | 21.8% | Rockford + |
| Asian | 1.4% | 3.7% | Rockford + |
| Hispanic | 12.4% | 20.6% | Rockford + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Independence
$59,480
Independence +
Rockford
$53,328
Per Capita Income
Independence
$31,683
Independence +
Rockford
$30,409
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Independence
$58,527
Rockford
$68,110
Rockford +
Unemployment Rate
Independence
6.0%
Independence +
Rockford
8.6%
Poverty Rate
Independence
15.3%
Independence +
Rockford
21.9%
Bachelor's Degree+
Independence
20.9%
Rockford
23.2%
Rockford +
| Metric | Independence, MO | Rockford, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $59,480 | $53,328 | Independence + |
| Per Capita Income | $31,683 | $30,409 | Independence + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,527 | $68,110 | Rockford + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.0% | 8.6% | Independence + |
| Poverty Rate | 15.3% | 21.9% | Independence + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 20.9% | 23.2% | Rockford + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Independence
$210,384
Rockford
$180,220
Rockford +
Homeownership Rate
Independence
61.0%
Independence +
Rockford
53.8%
| Metric | Independence, MO | Rockford, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $210,384 | $180,220 | Rockford + |
| Homeownership Rate | 61.0% | 53.8% | Independence + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Independence
501
Rockford
344
Rockford +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Independence
2418
Rockford
1842
Rockford +
| Metric | Independence, MO | Rockford, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 501 | 344 | Rockford + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2418 | 1842 | Rockford + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Independence
37.3%
Independence +
Rockford
44.7%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Independence
12.9%
Independence +
Rockford
15.4%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Independence
19.9%
Rockford
19.0%
Rockford +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Independence
11.5%
Independence +
Rockford
14.0%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Independence
16.8%
Rockford
15.5%
Rockford +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Independence
18.4%
Rockford
18.1%
Rockford +
| Metric | Independence, MO | Rockford, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 37.3% | 44.7% | Independence + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.9% | 15.4% | Independence + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.9% | 19.0% | Rockford + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.5% | 14.0% | Independence + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.8% | 15.5% | Rockford + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 18.4% | 18.1% | Rockford + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Independence
54.5°F
Rockford
49.2°F
Rockford +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Independence
43.7 in
Rockford
36.2 in
Rockford +
| Metric | Independence, MO | Rockford, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 54.5°F | 49.2°F | Rockford + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 43.7 in | 36.2 in | Rockford + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Independence
9.3 µg/m³
Independence +
Rockford
9.4 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Independence
55.0%
Rockford
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Independence, MO | Rockford, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.3 µg/m³ | 9.4 µg/m³ | Independence + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 55.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Independence
25.5 min
Rockford
22.7 min
Rockford +
| Metric | Independence, MO | Rockford, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 25.5 min | 22.7 min | Rockford + |
Which City is Right for You?
Independence leads in median household income at $59,480, 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 501 in Independence. Independence has a lower unemployment rate at 6.0%, and Independence has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 9.3 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Independence scores better with a lower obesity rate of 37.3%.
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