Kansas City KS 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)
Kansas City, KS
Kansas · Population: 154,776
- Median HH Income$59,183
- Median Home Price$202,558
- Unemployment5.5%
- Bachelor's+20.2%
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
Kansas City
154,776
Kansas City +
Rockford
147,649
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Kansas City
N/A
Rockford
N/A
Median Age
Kansas City
34.0
Kansas City +
Rockford
37.5
Foreign Born
Kansas City
18.6%
Kansas City +
Rockford
12.3%
White
Kansas City
44.0%
Rockford
55.5%
Rockford +
Black
Kansas City
20.4%
Rockford
21.8%
Rockford +
Asian
Kansas City
5.3%
Kansas City +
Rockford
3.7%
Hispanic
Kansas City
35.0%
Kansas City +
Rockford
20.6%
Spanish at Home
Kansas City
N/A
Rockford
N/A
| Metric | Kansas City, KS | Rockford, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 154,776 | 147,649 | Kansas City + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.0 | 37.5 | Kansas City + |
| Foreign Born | 18.6% | 12.3% | Kansas City + |
| White | 44.0% | 55.5% | Rockford + |
| Black | 20.4% | 21.8% | Rockford + |
| Asian | 5.3% | 3.7% | Kansas City + |
| Hispanic | 35.0% | 20.6% | Kansas City + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Kansas City
$59,183
Kansas City +
Rockford
$53,328
Per Capita Income
Kansas City
$28,059
Rockford
$30,409
Rockford +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Kansas City
$61,860
Rockford
$68,110
Rockford +
Unemployment Rate
Kansas City
5.5%
Kansas City +
Rockford
8.6%
Poverty Rate
Kansas City
17.9%
Kansas City +
Rockford
21.9%
Bachelor's Degree+
Kansas City
20.2%
Rockford
23.2%
Rockford +
| Metric | Kansas City, KS | Rockford, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $59,183 | $53,328 | Kansas City + |
| Per Capita Income | $28,059 | $30,409 | Rockford + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $61,860 | $68,110 | Rockford + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.5% | 8.6% | Kansas City + |
| Poverty Rate | 17.9% | 21.9% | Kansas City + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 20.2% | 23.2% | Rockford + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Kansas City
$202,558
Rockford
$180,220
Rockford +
Homeownership Rate
Kansas City
60.4%
Kansas City +
Rockford
53.8%
| Metric | Kansas City, KS | Rockford, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $202,558 | $180,220 | Rockford + |
| Homeownership Rate | 60.4% | 53.8% | Kansas City + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Kansas City
449
Rockford
344
Rockford +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Kansas City
2174
Rockford
1842
Rockford +
| Metric | Kansas City, KS | Rockford, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 449 | 344 | Rockford + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2174 | 1842 | Rockford + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Kansas City
41.2%
Kansas City +
Rockford
44.7%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Kansas City
14.6%
Kansas City +
Rockford
15.4%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Kansas City
17.6%
Kansas City +
Rockford
19.0%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Kansas City
18.4%
Rockford
14.0%
Rockford +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Kansas City
15.3%
Kansas City +
Rockford
15.5%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Kansas City
18.3%
Rockford
18.1%
Rockford +
| Metric | Kansas City, KS | Rockford, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 41.2% | 44.7% | Kansas City + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 14.6% | 15.4% | Kansas City + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.6% | 19.0% | Kansas City + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 18.4% | 14.0% | Rockford + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.3% | 15.5% | Kansas City + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 18.3% | 18.1% | Rockford + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Kansas City
N/A
Rockford
49.2°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Kansas City
38.1 in
Rockford
36.2 in
Rockford +
| Metric | Kansas City, KS | Rockford, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 49.2°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 38.1 in | 36.2 in | Rockford + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Kansas City
8.2 µg/m³
Kansas City +
Rockford
9.4 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Kansas City
75.0%
Kansas City +
Rockford
55.0%
| Metric | Kansas City, KS | Rockford, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.2 µg/m³ | 9.4 µg/m³ | Kansas City + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Kansas City + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Kansas City
23.7 min
Rockford
22.7 min
Rockford +
| Metric | Kansas City, KS | Rockford, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 23.7 min | 22.7 min | Rockford + |
Which City is Right for You?
Kansas City leads in median household income at $59,183, 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 449 in Kansas City. Kansas City has a lower unemployment rate at 5.5%, and Kansas City has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Kansas City scores better with a lower obesity rate of 41.2%.
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