Lakewood CO 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)
Lakewood, CO
Colorado · Population: 156,309
- Median HH Income$85,789
- Median Home Price$575,076
- Unemployment4.5%
- Bachelor's+45.3%
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
Lakewood
156,309
Lakewood +
Rockford
147,649
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Lakewood
N/A
Rockford
N/A
Median Age
Lakewood
38.0
Rockford
37.5
Rockford +
Foreign Born
Lakewood
8.5%
Rockford
12.3%
Rockford +
White
Lakewood
76.0%
Lakewood +
Rockford
55.5%
Black
Lakewood
1.4%
Rockford
21.8%
Rockford +
Asian
Lakewood
4.1%
Lakewood +
Rockford
3.7%
Hispanic
Lakewood
22.4%
Lakewood +
Rockford
20.6%
Spanish at Home
Lakewood
N/A
Rockford
N/A
| Metric | Lakewood, CO | Rockford, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 156,309 | 147,649 | Lakewood + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 38.0 | 37.5 | Rockford + |
| Foreign Born | 8.5% | 12.3% | Rockford + |
| White | 76.0% | 55.5% | Lakewood + |
| Black | 1.4% | 21.8% | Rockford + |
| Asian | 4.1% | 3.7% | Lakewood + |
| Hispanic | 22.4% | 20.6% | Lakewood + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Lakewood
$85,789
Lakewood +
Rockford
$53,328
Per Capita Income
Lakewood
$51,218
Lakewood +
Rockford
$30,409
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Lakewood
$76,653
Lakewood +
Rockford
$68,110
Unemployment Rate
Lakewood
4.5%
Lakewood +
Rockford
8.6%
Poverty Rate
Lakewood
9.1%
Lakewood +
Rockford
21.9%
Bachelor's Degree+
Lakewood
45.3%
Lakewood +
Rockford
23.2%
| Metric | Lakewood, CO | Rockford, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $85,789 | $53,328 | Lakewood + |
| Per Capita Income | $51,218 | $30,409 | Lakewood + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $76,653 | $68,110 | Lakewood + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.5% | 8.6% | Lakewood + |
| Poverty Rate | 9.1% | 21.9% | Lakewood + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 45.3% | 23.2% | Lakewood + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Lakewood
$575,076
Rockford
$180,220
Rockford +
Homeownership Rate
Lakewood
58.1%
Lakewood +
Rockford
53.8%
| Metric | Lakewood, CO | Rockford, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $575,076 | $180,220 | Rockford + |
| Homeownership Rate | 58.1% | 53.8% | Lakewood + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Lakewood
512
Rockford
344
Rockford +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Lakewood
3234
Rockford
1842
Rockford +
| Metric | Lakewood, CO | Rockford, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 512 | 344 | Rockford + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 3234 | 1842 | Rockford + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Lakewood
23.8%
Lakewood +
Rockford
44.7%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Lakewood
8.7%
Lakewood +
Rockford
15.4%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Lakewood
15.8%
Lakewood +
Rockford
19.0%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Lakewood
10.6%
Lakewood +
Rockford
14.0%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Lakewood
19.7%
Rockford
15.5%
Rockford +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Lakewood
10.7%
Lakewood +
Rockford
18.1%
| Metric | Lakewood, CO | Rockford, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 23.8% | 44.7% | Lakewood + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 8.7% | 15.4% | Lakewood + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 15.8% | 19.0% | Lakewood + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 10.6% | 14.0% | Lakewood + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 19.7% | 15.5% | Rockford + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 10.7% | 18.1% | Lakewood + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Lakewood
51.4°F
Rockford
49.2°F
Rockford +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Lakewood
17.3 in
Lakewood +
Rockford
36.2 in
| Metric | Lakewood, CO | Rockford, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 51.4°F | 49.2°F | Rockford + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 17.3 in | 36.2 in | Lakewood + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Lakewood
6.2 µg/m³
Lakewood +
Rockford
9.4 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Lakewood
75.0%
Lakewood +
Rockford
55.0%
| Metric | Lakewood, CO | Rockford, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 6.2 µg/m³ | 9.4 µg/m³ | Lakewood + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Lakewood + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Lakewood
28.6 min
Rockford
22.7 min
Rockford +
| Metric | Lakewood, CO | Rockford, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 28.6 min | 22.7 min | Rockford + |
Which City is Right for You?
Lakewood leads in median household income at $85,789, 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 512 in Lakewood. Lakewood has a lower unemployment rate at 4.5%, and Lakewood has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 6.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Lakewood scores better with a lower obesity rate of 23.8%.
Compare More Cities
Lakewood, CO vs New York, NYLakewood, CO vs Los Angeles, CAChicago, IL vs Lakewood, COHouston, TX vs Lakewood, COLakewood, CO vs Phoenix, AZLakewood, CO vs Philadelphia, PA