Kansas City 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)
Kansas City, MO
Missouri · Population: 508,233
- Median HH Income$67,449
- Median Home Price$253,319
- Unemployment4.7%
- Bachelor's+37.8%
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
508,233
Kansas City +
Rockford
147,649
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Kansas City
N/A
Rockford
N/A
Median Age
Kansas City
35.7
Kansas City +
Rockford
37.5
Foreign Born
Kansas City
8.5%
Rockford
12.3%
Rockford +
White
Kansas City
57.8%
Kansas City +
Rockford
55.5%
Black
Kansas City
25.8%
Kansas City +
Rockford
21.8%
Asian
Kansas City
2.7%
Rockford
3.7%
Rockford +
Hispanic
Kansas City
12.3%
Rockford
20.6%
Rockford +
Spanish at Home
Kansas City
N/A
Rockford
N/A
| Metric | Kansas City, MO | Rockford, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 508,233 | 147,649 | Kansas City + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.7 | 37.5 | Kansas City + |
| Foreign Born | 8.5% | 12.3% | Rockford + |
| White | 57.8% | 55.5% | Kansas City + |
| Black | 25.8% | 21.8% | Kansas City + |
| Asian | 2.7% | 3.7% | Rockford + |
| Hispanic | 12.3% | 20.6% | Rockford + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Kansas City
$67,449
Kansas City +
Rockford
$53,328
Per Capita Income
Kansas City
$40,112
Kansas City +
Rockford
$30,409
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Kansas City
$58,527
Rockford
$68,110
Rockford +
Unemployment Rate
Kansas City
4.7%
Kansas City +
Rockford
8.6%
Poverty Rate
Kansas City
14.6%
Kansas City +
Rockford
21.9%
Bachelor's Degree+
Kansas City
37.8%
Kansas City +
Rockford
23.2%
| Metric | Kansas City, MO | Rockford, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $67,449 | $53,328 | Kansas City + |
| Per Capita Income | $40,112 | $30,409 | Kansas City + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,527 | $68,110 | Rockford + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.7% | 8.6% | Kansas City + |
| Poverty Rate | 14.6% | 21.9% | Kansas City + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 37.8% | 23.2% | Kansas City + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Kansas City
$253,319
Rockford
$180,220
Rockford +
Homeownership Rate
Kansas City
54.6%
Kansas City +
Rockford
53.8%
| Metric | Kansas City, MO | Rockford, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $253,319 | $180,220 | Rockford + |
| Homeownership Rate | 54.6% | 53.8% | Kansas City + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Kansas City
501
Rockford
344
Rockford +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Kansas City
2418
Rockford
1842
Rockford +
| Metric | Kansas City, 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
Kansas City
38.5%
Kansas City +
Rockford
44.7%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Kansas City
12.0%
Kansas City +
Rockford
15.4%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Kansas City
18.8%
Kansas City +
Rockford
19.0%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Kansas City
10.6%
Kansas City +
Rockford
14.0%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Kansas City
16.7%
Rockford
15.5%
Rockford +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Kansas City
15.6%
Kansas City +
Rockford
18.1%
| Metric | Kansas City, MO | Rockford, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 38.5% | 44.7% | Kansas City + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.0% | 15.4% | Kansas City + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.8% | 19.0% | Kansas City + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 10.6% | 14.0% | Kansas City + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.7% | 15.5% | Rockford + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 15.6% | 18.1% | Kansas City + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Kansas City
54.6°F
Rockford
49.2°F
Rockford +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Kansas City
38.9 in
Rockford
36.2 in
Rockford +
| Metric | Kansas City, MO | Rockford, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 54.6°F | 49.2°F | Rockford + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 38.9 in | 36.2 in | Rockford + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Kansas City
9.3 µg/m³
Kansas City +
Rockford
9.4 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Kansas City
55.0%
Rockford
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Kansas City, MO | Rockford, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.3 µg/m³ | 9.4 µg/m³ | Kansas City + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 55.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Kansas City
23.4 min
Rockford
22.7 min
Rockford +
| Metric | Kansas City, MO | Rockford, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 23.4 min | 22.7 min | Rockford + |
Which City is Right for You?
Kansas City leads in median household income at $67,449, 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 Kansas City. Kansas City has a lower unemployment rate at 4.7%, and Kansas City has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 9.3 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Kansas City scores better with a lower obesity rate of 38.5%.
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