Kent WA 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)
Kent, WA
Washington · Population: 84,389
- Median HH Income$72,867
- Median Home Price$657,911
- Unemployment4.9%
- Bachelor's+27.0%
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
Kent
84,389
Rockford
147,649
Rockford +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Kent
N/A
Rockford
N/A
Median Age
Kent
35.8
Kent +
Rockford
37.5
Foreign Born
Kent
14.1%
Kent +
Rockford
12.3%
White
Kent
67.2%
Kent +
Rockford
55.5%
Black
Kent
2.3%
Rockford
21.8%
Rockford +
Asian
Kent
1.9%
Rockford
3.7%
Rockford +
Hispanic
Kent
31.8%
Kent +
Rockford
20.6%
Spanish at Home
Kent
N/A
Rockford
N/A
| Metric | Kent, WA | Rockford, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 84,389 | 147,649 | Rockford + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.8 | 37.5 | Kent + |
| Foreign Born | 14.1% | 12.3% | Kent + |
| White | 67.2% | 55.5% | Kent + |
| Black | 2.3% | 21.8% | Rockford + |
| Asian | 1.9% | 3.7% | Rockford + |
| Hispanic | 31.8% | 20.6% | Kent + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Kent
$72,867
Kent +
Rockford
$53,328
Per Capita Income
Kent
$35,662
Kent +
Rockford
$30,409
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Kent
$76,120
Kent +
Rockford
$68,110
Unemployment Rate
Kent
4.9%
Kent +
Rockford
8.6%
Poverty Rate
Kent
13.9%
Kent +
Rockford
21.9%
Bachelor's Degree+
Kent
27.0%
Kent +
Rockford
23.2%
| Metric | Kent, WA | Rockford, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $72,867 | $53,328 | Kent + |
| Per Capita Income | $35,662 | $30,409 | Kent + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $76,120 | $68,110 | Kent + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.9% | 8.6% | Kent + |
| Poverty Rate | 13.9% | 21.9% | Kent + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 27.0% | 23.2% | Kent + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Kent
$657,911
Rockford
$180,220
Rockford +
Homeownership Rate
Kent
62.8%
Kent +
Rockford
53.8%
| Metric | Kent, WA | Rockford, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $657,911 | $180,220 | Rockford + |
| Homeownership Rate | 62.8% | 53.8% | Kent + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Kent
383
Rockford
344
Rockford +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Kent
3409
Rockford
1842
Rockford +
| Metric | Kent, WA | Rockford, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 383 | 344 | Rockford + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 3409 | 1842 | Rockford + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Kent
25.7%
Kent +
Rockford
44.7%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Kent
9.3%
Kent +
Rockford
15.4%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Kent
17.2%
Kent +
Rockford
19.0%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Kent
10.6%
Kent +
Rockford
14.0%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Kent
15.7%
Rockford
15.5%
Rockford +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Kent
10.3%
Kent +
Rockford
18.1%
| Metric | Kent, WA | Rockford, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 25.7% | 44.7% | Kent + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 9.3% | 15.4% | Kent + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.2% | 19.0% | Kent + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 10.6% | 14.0% | Kent + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.7% | 15.5% | Rockford + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 10.3% | 18.1% | Kent + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Kent
53.2°F
Rockford
49.2°F
Rockford +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Kent
39.1 in
Rockford
36.2 in
Rockford +
| Metric | Kent, WA | Rockford, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 53.2°F | 49.2°F | Rockford + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 39.1 in | 36.2 in | Rockford + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Kent
7.5 µg/m³
Kent +
Rockford
9.4 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Kent
75.0%
Kent +
Rockford
55.0%
| Metric | Kent, WA | Rockford, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.5 µg/m³ | 9.4 µg/m³ | Kent + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Kent + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Kent
23.0 min
Rockford
22.7 min
Rockford +
| Metric | Kent, WA | Rockford, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 23.0 min | 22.7 min | Rockford + |
Which City is Right for You?
Kent leads in median household income at $72,867, 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 383 in Kent. Kent has a lower unemployment rate at 4.9%, and Kent has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.5 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Kent scores better with a lower obesity rate of 25.7%.
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