Jacksonville 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)
Jacksonville, FL
Florida · Population: 961,739
- Median HH Income$66,981
- Median Home Price$286,396
- Unemployment4.6%
- Bachelor's+31.9%
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
Jacksonville
961,739
Jacksonville +
Rockford
147,649
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Jacksonville
N/A
Rockford
N/A
Median Age
Jacksonville
36.4
Jacksonville +
Rockford
37.5
Foreign Born
Jacksonville
12.2%
Rockford
12.3%
Rockford +
White
Jacksonville
51.2%
Rockford
55.5%
Rockford +
Black
Jacksonville
30.1%
Jacksonville +
Rockford
21.8%
Asian
Jacksonville
4.9%
Jacksonville +
Rockford
3.7%
Hispanic
Jacksonville
12.0%
Rockford
20.6%
Rockford +
Spanish at Home
Jacksonville
N/A
Rockford
N/A
| Metric | Jacksonville, FL | Rockford, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 961,739 | 147,649 | Jacksonville + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.4 | 37.5 | Jacksonville + |
| Foreign Born | 12.2% | 12.3% | Rockford + |
| White | 51.2% | 55.5% | Rockford + |
| Black | 30.1% | 21.8% | Jacksonville + |
| Asian | 4.9% | 3.7% | Jacksonville + |
| Hispanic | 12.0% | 20.6% | Rockford + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Jacksonville
$66,981
Jacksonville +
Rockford
$53,328
Per Capita Income
Jacksonville
$37,269
Jacksonville +
Rockford
$30,409
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Jacksonville
$65,328
Rockford
$68,110
Rockford +
Unemployment Rate
Jacksonville
4.6%
Jacksonville +
Rockford
8.6%
Poverty Rate
Jacksonville
15.0%
Jacksonville +
Rockford
21.9%
Bachelor's Degree+
Jacksonville
31.9%
Jacksonville +
Rockford
23.2%
| Metric | Jacksonville, FL | Rockford, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $66,981 | $53,328 | Jacksonville + |
| Per Capita Income | $37,269 | $30,409 | Jacksonville + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $65,328 | $68,110 | Rockford + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.6% | 8.6% | Jacksonville + |
| Poverty Rate | 15.0% | 21.9% | Jacksonville + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 31.9% | 23.2% | Jacksonville + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Jacksonville
$286,396
Rockford
$180,220
Rockford +
Homeownership Rate
Jacksonville
57.4%
Jacksonville +
Rockford
53.8%
| Metric | Jacksonville, FL | Rockford, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $286,396 | $180,220 | Rockford + |
| Homeownership Rate | 57.4% | 53.8% | Jacksonville + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Jacksonville
324
Jacksonville +
Rockford
344
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Jacksonville
1453
Jacksonville +
Rockford
1842
| Metric | Jacksonville, FL | Rockford, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 324 | 344 | Jacksonville + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1453 | 1842 | Jacksonville + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Jacksonville
34.8%
Jacksonville +
Rockford
44.7%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Jacksonville
13.2%
Jacksonville +
Rockford
15.4%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Jacksonville
18.8%
Jacksonville +
Rockford
19.0%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Jacksonville
13.9%
Jacksonville +
Rockford
14.0%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Jacksonville
15.2%
Jacksonville +
Rockford
15.5%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Jacksonville
14.8%
Jacksonville +
Rockford
18.1%
| Metric | Jacksonville, FL | Rockford, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 34.8% | 44.7% | Jacksonville + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.2% | 15.4% | Jacksonville + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.8% | 19.0% | Jacksonville + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 13.9% | 14.0% | Jacksonville + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.2% | 15.5% | Jacksonville + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 14.8% | 18.1% | Jacksonville + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Jacksonville
70.2°F
Rockford
49.2°F
Rockford +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Jacksonville
50.0 in
Rockford
36.2 in
Rockford +
| Metric | Jacksonville, FL | Rockford, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 70.2°F | 49.2°F | Rockford + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 50.0 in | 36.2 in | Rockford + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Jacksonville
7.2 µg/m³
Jacksonville +
Rockford
9.4 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Jacksonville
75.0%
Jacksonville +
Rockford
55.0%
| Metric | Jacksonville, FL | Rockford, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.2 µg/m³ | 9.4 µg/m³ | Jacksonville + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Jacksonville + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Jacksonville
26.0 min
Rockford
22.7 min
Rockford +
| Metric | Jacksonville, FL | Rockford, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 26.0 min | 22.7 min | Rockford + |
Which City is Right for You?
Jacksonville leads in median household income at $66,981, while rockford offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $180,220. On public safety, Jacksonville is safer with a violent crime rate of 324 per 100,000 residents, compared to 344 in Rockford. Jacksonville has a lower unemployment rate at 4.6%, and Jacksonville has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Jacksonville scores better with a lower obesity rate of 34.8%.
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