Indianapolis IN 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)
Indianapolis, IN
Indiana · Population: 882,043
- Median HH Income$62,995
- Median Home Price$232,133
- Unemployment5.2%
- Bachelor's+34.2%
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
Indianapolis
882,043
Indianapolis +
Rockford
147,649
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Indianapolis
N/A
Rockford
N/A
Median Age
Indianapolis
34.1
Indianapolis +
Rockford
37.5
Foreign Born
Indianapolis
11.6%
Rockford
12.3%
Rockford +
White
Indianapolis
53.6%
Rockford
55.5%
Rockford +
Black
Indianapolis
28.1%
Indianapolis +
Rockford
21.8%
Asian
Indianapolis
4.1%
Indianapolis +
Rockford
3.7%
Hispanic
Indianapolis
13.3%
Rockford
20.6%
Rockford +
Spanish at Home
Indianapolis
N/A
Rockford
N/A
| Metric | Indianapolis, IN | Rockford, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 882,043 | 147,649 | Indianapolis + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.1 | 37.5 | Indianapolis + |
| Foreign Born | 11.6% | 12.3% | Rockford + |
| White | 53.6% | 55.5% | Rockford + |
| Black | 28.1% | 21.8% | Indianapolis + |
| Asian | 4.1% | 3.7% | Indianapolis + |
| Hispanic | 13.3% | 20.6% | Rockford + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Indianapolis
$62,995
Indianapolis +
Rockford
$53,328
Per Capita Income
Indianapolis
$36,194
Indianapolis +
Rockford
$30,409
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Indianapolis
$58,697
Rockford
$68,110
Rockford +
Unemployment Rate
Indianapolis
5.2%
Indianapolis +
Rockford
8.6%
Poverty Rate
Indianapolis
15.7%
Indianapolis +
Rockford
21.9%
Bachelor's Degree+
Indianapolis
34.2%
Indianapolis +
Rockford
23.2%
| Metric | Indianapolis, IN | Rockford, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $62,995 | $53,328 | Indianapolis + |
| Per Capita Income | $36,194 | $30,409 | Indianapolis + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,697 | $68,110 | Rockford + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.2% | 8.6% | Indianapolis + |
| Poverty Rate | 15.7% | 21.9% | Indianapolis + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 34.2% | 23.2% | Indianapolis + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Indianapolis
$232,133
Rockford
$180,220
Rockford +
Homeownership Rate
Indianapolis
55.3%
Indianapolis +
Rockford
53.8%
| Metric | Indianapolis, IN | Rockford, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $232,133 | $180,220 | Rockford + |
| Homeownership Rate | 55.3% | 53.8% | Indianapolis + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Indianapolis
370
Rockford
344
Rockford +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Indianapolis
1719
Indianapolis +
Rockford
1842
| Metric | Indianapolis, IN | Rockford, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 370 | 344 | Rockford + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1719 | 1842 | Indianapolis + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Indianapolis
N/A
Rockford
44.7%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Indianapolis
N/A
Rockford
15.4%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Indianapolis
N/A
Rockford
19.0%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Indianapolis
N/A
Rockford
14.0%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Indianapolis
N/A
Rockford
15.5%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Indianapolis
N/A
Rockford
18.1%
| Metric | Indianapolis, IN | Rockford, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | N/A | 44.7% | - |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | N/A | 15.4% | - |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | N/A | 19.0% | - |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | N/A | 14.0% | - |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | N/A | 15.5% | - |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | N/A | 18.1% | - |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Indianapolis
N/A
Rockford
49.2°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Indianapolis
41.8 in
Rockford
36.2 in
Rockford +
| Metric | Indianapolis, IN | Rockford, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 49.2°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 41.8 in | 36.2 in | Rockford + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Indianapolis
10.1 µg/m³
Rockford
9.4 µg/m³
Rockford +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Indianapolis
55.0%
Rockford
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Indianapolis, IN | Rockford, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 10.1 µg/m³ | 9.4 µg/m³ | Rockford + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 55.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Indianapolis
25.8 min
Rockford
22.7 min
Rockford +
| Metric | Indianapolis, IN | Rockford, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 25.8 min | 22.7 min | Rockford + |
Which City is Right for You?
Indianapolis leads in median household income at $62,995, 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 370 in Indianapolis. Indianapolis has a lower unemployment rate at 5.2%, and Rockford has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 9.4 µg/m³).
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