Lafayette LA 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)
Lafayette, LA
Louisiana · Population: 121,537
- Median HH Income$61,454
- Median Home Price$225,222
- Unemployment5.1%
- Bachelor's+40.6%
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
Lafayette
121,537
Rockford
147,649
Rockford +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Lafayette
N/A
Rockford
N/A
Median Age
Lafayette
37.1
Lafayette +
Rockford
37.5
Foreign Born
Lafayette
6.6%
Rockford
12.3%
Rockford +
White
Lafayette
59.1%
Lafayette +
Rockford
55.5%
Black
Lafayette
28.6%
Lafayette +
Rockford
21.8%
Asian
Lafayette
2.1%
Rockford
3.7%
Rockford +
Hispanic
Lafayette
7.6%
Rockford
20.6%
Rockford +
Spanish at Home
Lafayette
N/A
Rockford
N/A
| Metric | Lafayette, LA | Rockford, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 121,537 | 147,649 | Rockford + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 37.1 | 37.5 | Lafayette + |
| Foreign Born | 6.6% | 12.3% | Rockford + |
| White | 59.1% | 55.5% | Lafayette + |
| Black | 28.6% | 21.8% | Lafayette + |
| Asian | 2.1% | 3.7% | Rockford + |
| Hispanic | 7.6% | 20.6% | Rockford + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Lafayette
$61,454
Lafayette +
Rockford
$53,328
Per Capita Income
Lafayette
$39,861
Lafayette +
Rockford
$30,409
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Lafayette
$55,297
Rockford
$68,110
Rockford +
Unemployment Rate
Lafayette
5.1%
Lafayette +
Rockford
8.6%
Poverty Rate
Lafayette
19.1%
Lafayette +
Rockford
21.9%
Bachelor's Degree+
Lafayette
40.6%
Lafayette +
Rockford
23.2%
| Metric | Lafayette, LA | Rockford, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $61,454 | $53,328 | Lafayette + |
| Per Capita Income | $39,861 | $30,409 | Lafayette + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $55,297 | $68,110 | Rockford + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.1% | 8.6% | Lafayette + |
| Poverty Rate | 19.1% | 21.9% | Lafayette + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 40.6% | 23.2% | Lafayette + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Lafayette
$225,222
Rockford
$180,220
Rockford +
Homeownership Rate
Lafayette
55.0%
Lafayette +
Rockford
53.8%
| Metric | Lafayette, LA | Rockford, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $225,222 | $180,220 | Rockford + |
| Homeownership Rate | 55.0% | 53.8% | Lafayette + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Lafayette
643
Rockford
344
Rockford +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Lafayette
2824
Rockford
1842
Rockford +
| Metric | Lafayette, LA | Rockford, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 643 | 344 | Rockford + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2824 | 1842 | Rockford + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Lafayette
34.5%
Lafayette +
Rockford
44.7%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Lafayette
14.0%
Lafayette +
Rockford
15.4%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Lafayette
18.4%
Lafayette +
Rockford
19.0%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Lafayette
8.3%
Lafayette +
Rockford
14.0%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Lafayette
17.8%
Rockford
15.5%
Rockford +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Lafayette
16.1%
Lafayette +
Rockford
18.1%
| Metric | Lafayette, LA | Rockford, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 34.5% | 44.7% | Lafayette + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 14.0% | 15.4% | Lafayette + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.4% | 19.0% | Lafayette + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 8.3% | 14.0% | Lafayette + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 17.8% | 15.5% | Rockford + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 16.1% | 18.1% | Lafayette + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Lafayette
67.6°F
Rockford
49.2°F
Rockford +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Lafayette
61.0 in
Rockford
36.2 in
Rockford +
| Metric | Lafayette, LA | Rockford, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 67.6°F | 49.2°F | Rockford + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 61.0 in | 36.2 in | Rockford + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Lafayette
8.9 µg/m³
Lafayette +
Rockford
9.4 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Lafayette
75.0%
Lafayette +
Rockford
55.0%
| Metric | Lafayette, LA | Rockford, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.9 µg/m³ | 9.4 µg/m³ | Lafayette + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Lafayette + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Lafayette
21.5 min
Lafayette +
Rockford
22.7 min
| Metric | Lafayette, LA | Rockford, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 21.5 min | 22.7 min | Lafayette + |
Which City is Right for You?
Lafayette leads in median household income at $61,454, 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 643 in Lafayette. Lafayette has a lower unemployment rate at 5.1%, and Lafayette has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Lafayette scores better with a lower obesity rate of 34.5%.
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