Killeen TX 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)
Killeen, TX
Texas · Population: 45,598
- Median HH Income$172,654
- Median Home Price$220,846
- Unemployment3.0%
- Bachelor's+60.1%
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
Killeen
45,598
Rockford
147,649
Rockford +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Killeen
N/A
Rockford
N/A
Median Age
Killeen
44.1
Rockford
37.5
Rockford +
Foreign Born
Killeen
11.0%
Rockford
12.3%
Rockford +
White
Killeen
81.5%
Killeen +
Rockford
55.5%
Black
Killeen
2.9%
Rockford
21.8%
Rockford +
Asian
Killeen
6.1%
Killeen +
Rockford
3.7%
Hispanic
Killeen
10.7%
Rockford
20.6%
Rockford +
Spanish at Home
Killeen
N/A
Rockford
N/A
| Metric | Killeen, TX | Rockford, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 45,598 | 147,649 | Rockford + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 44.1 | 37.5 | Rockford + |
| Foreign Born | 11.0% | 12.3% | Rockford + |
| White | 81.5% | 55.5% | Killeen + |
| Black | 2.9% | 21.8% | Rockford + |
| Asian | 6.1% | 3.7% | Killeen + |
| Hispanic | 10.7% | 20.6% | Rockford + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Killeen
$172,654
Killeen +
Rockford
$53,328
Per Capita Income
Killeen
$76,859
Killeen +
Rockford
$30,409
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Killeen
$63,758
Rockford
$68,110
Rockford +
Unemployment Rate
Killeen
3.0%
Killeen +
Rockford
8.6%
Poverty Rate
Killeen
3.2%
Killeen +
Rockford
21.9%
Bachelor's Degree+
Killeen
60.1%
Killeen +
Rockford
23.2%
| Metric | Killeen, TX | Rockford, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $172,654 | $53,328 | Killeen + |
| Per Capita Income | $76,859 | $30,409 | Killeen + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $63,758 | $68,110 | Rockford + |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.0% | 8.6% | Killeen + |
| Poverty Rate | 3.2% | 21.9% | Killeen + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 60.1% | 23.2% | Killeen + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Killeen
$220,846
Rockford
$180,220
Rockford +
Homeownership Rate
Killeen
81.9%
Killeen +
Rockford
53.8%
| Metric | Killeen, TX | Rockford, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $220,846 | $180,220 | Rockford + |
| Homeownership Rate | 81.9% | 53.8% | Killeen + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Killeen
442
Rockford
344
Rockford +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Killeen
2339
Rockford
1842
Rockford +
| Metric | Killeen, TX | Rockford, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 442 | 344 | Rockford + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2339 | 1842 | Rockford + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Killeen
45.7%
Rockford
44.7%
Rockford +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Killeen
13.0%
Killeen +
Rockford
15.4%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Killeen
20.7%
Rockford
19.0%
Rockford +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Killeen
17.3%
Rockford
14.0%
Rockford +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Killeen
15.0%
Killeen +
Rockford
15.5%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Killeen
14.6%
Killeen +
Rockford
18.1%
| Metric | Killeen, TX | Rockford, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 45.7% | 44.7% | Rockford + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.0% | 15.4% | Killeen + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 20.7% | 19.0% | Rockford + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 17.3% | 14.0% | Rockford + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.0% | 15.5% | Killeen + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 14.6% | 18.1% | Killeen + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Killeen
66.0°F
Rockford
49.2°F
Rockford +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Killeen
33.1 in
Killeen +
Rockford
36.2 in
| Metric | Killeen, TX | Rockford, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 66.0°F | 49.2°F | Rockford + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 33.1 in | 36.2 in | Killeen + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Killeen
9.2 µg/m³
Killeen +
Rockford
9.4 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Killeen
55.0%
Rockford
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Killeen, TX | Rockford, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.2 µg/m³ | 9.4 µg/m³ | Killeen + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 55.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Killeen
30.4 min
Rockford
22.7 min
Rockford +
| Metric | Killeen, TX | Rockford, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 30.4 min | 22.7 min | Rockford + |
Which City is Right for You?
Killeen leads in median household income at $172,654, 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 442 in Killeen. Killeen has a lower unemployment rate at 3.0%, and Killeen has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 9.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Rockford scores better with a lower obesity rate of 44.7%.
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