Jackson MS 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)
Jackson, MS
Mississippi · Population: 149,827
- Median HH Income$43,238
- Median Home Price$88,100
- Unemployment9.4%
- Bachelor's+28.6%
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
Jackson
149,827
Jackson +
Rockford
147,649
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Jackson
N/A
Rockford
N/A
Median Age
Jackson
34.7
Jackson +
Rockford
37.5
Foreign Born
Jackson
1.5%
Rockford
12.3%
Rockford +
White
Jackson
14.5%
Rockford
55.5%
Rockford +
Black
Jackson
81.8%
Jackson +
Rockford
21.8%
Asian
Jackson
0.3%
Rockford
3.7%
Rockford +
Hispanic
Jackson
2.2%
Rockford
20.6%
Rockford +
Spanish at Home
Jackson
N/A
Rockford
N/A
| Metric | Jackson, MS | Rockford, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 149,827 | 147,649 | Jackson + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.7 | 37.5 | Jackson + |
| Foreign Born | 1.5% | 12.3% | Rockford + |
| White | 14.5% | 55.5% | Rockford + |
| Black | 81.8% | 21.8% | Jackson + |
| Asian | 0.3% | 3.7% | Rockford + |
| Hispanic | 2.2% | 20.6% | Rockford + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Jackson
$43,238
Rockford
$53,328
Rockford +
Per Capita Income
Jackson
$26,868
Rockford
$30,409
Rockford +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Jackson
$46,995
Rockford
$68,110
Rockford +
Unemployment Rate
Jackson
9.4%
Rockford
8.6%
Rockford +
Poverty Rate
Jackson
26.8%
Rockford
21.9%
Rockford +
Bachelor's Degree+
Jackson
28.6%
Jackson +
Rockford
23.2%
| Metric | Jackson, MS | Rockford, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $43,238 | $53,328 | Rockford + |
| Per Capita Income | $26,868 | $30,409 | Rockford + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $46,995 | $68,110 | Rockford + |
| Unemployment Rate | 9.4% | 8.6% | Rockford + |
| Poverty Rate | 26.8% | 21.9% | Rockford + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 28.6% | 23.2% | Jackson + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Jackson
$88,100
Jackson +
Rockford
$180,220
Homeownership Rate
Jackson
48.6%
Rockford
53.8%
Rockford +
| Metric | Jackson, MS | Rockford, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $88,100 | $180,220 | Jackson + |
| Homeownership Rate | 48.6% | 53.8% | Rockford + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Jackson
247
Jackson +
Rockford
344
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Jackson
1808
Jackson +
Rockford
1842
| Metric | Jackson, MS | Rockford, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 247 | 344 | Jackson + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1808 | 1842 | Jackson + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Jackson
46.0%
Rockford
44.7%
Rockford +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Jackson
18.4%
Rockford
15.4%
Rockford +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Jackson
18.3%
Jackson +
Rockford
19.0%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Jackson
12.8%
Jackson +
Rockford
14.0%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Jackson
11.8%
Jackson +
Rockford
15.5%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Jackson
18.1%
Rockford
18.1%
Tie
| Metric | Jackson, MS | Rockford, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 46.0% | 44.7% | Rockford + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 18.4% | 15.4% | Rockford + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.3% | 19.0% | Jackson + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 12.8% | 14.0% | Jackson + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 11.8% | 15.5% | Jackson + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 18.1% | 18.1% | Tie |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Jackson
64.6°F
Rockford
49.2°F
Rockford +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Jackson
54.1 in
Rockford
36.2 in
Rockford +
| Metric | Jackson, MS | Rockford, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 64.6°F | 49.2°F | Rockford + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 54.1 in | 36.2 in | Rockford + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Jackson
10.0 µg/m³
Rockford
9.4 µg/m³
Rockford +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Jackson
55.0%
Rockford
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Jackson, MS | Rockford, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 10.0 µg/m³ | 9.4 µg/m³ | Rockford + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 55.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Jackson
21.9 min
Jackson +
Rockford
22.7 min
| Metric | Jackson, MS | Rockford, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 21.9 min | 22.7 min | Jackson + |
Which City is Right for You?
Rockford leads in median household income at $53,328, while jackson offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $88,100. On public safety, Jackson is safer with a violent crime rate of 247 per 100,000 residents, compared to 344 in Rockford. Rockford has a lower unemployment rate at 8.6%, and Rockford has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 9.4 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Rockford scores better with a lower obesity rate of 44.7%.
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