Lancaster CA 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)
Lancaster, CA
California · Population: 170,013
- Median HH Income$76,083
- Median Home Price$466,147
- Unemployment7.1%
- Bachelor's+20.1%
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
Lancaster
170,013
Lancaster +
Rockford
147,649
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Lancaster
N/A
Rockford
N/A
Median Age
Lancaster
34.2
Lancaster +
Rockford
37.5
Foreign Born
Lancaster
13.9%
Lancaster +
Rockford
12.3%
White
Lancaster
35.5%
Rockford
55.5%
Rockford +
Black
Lancaster
21.4%
Rockford
21.8%
Rockford +
Asian
Lancaster
4.0%
Lancaster +
Rockford
3.7%
Hispanic
Lancaster
45.9%
Lancaster +
Rockford
20.6%
Spanish at Home
Lancaster
N/A
Rockford
N/A
| Metric | Lancaster, CA | Rockford, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 170,013 | 147,649 | Lancaster + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.2 | 37.5 | Lancaster + |
| Foreign Born | 13.9% | 12.3% | Lancaster + |
| White | 35.5% | 55.5% | Rockford + |
| Black | 21.4% | 21.8% | Rockford + |
| Asian | 4.0% | 3.7% | Lancaster + |
| Hispanic | 45.9% | 20.6% | Lancaster + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Lancaster
$76,083
Lancaster +
Rockford
$53,328
Per Capita Income
Lancaster
$29,766
Rockford
$30,409
Rockford +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Lancaster
$77,230
Lancaster +
Rockford
$68,110
Unemployment Rate
Lancaster
7.1%
Lancaster +
Rockford
8.6%
Poverty Rate
Lancaster
15.5%
Lancaster +
Rockford
21.9%
Bachelor's Degree+
Lancaster
20.1%
Rockford
23.2%
Rockford +
| Metric | Lancaster, CA | Rockford, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $76,083 | $53,328 | Lancaster + |
| Per Capita Income | $29,766 | $30,409 | Rockford + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,230 | $68,110 | Lancaster + |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.1% | 8.6% | Lancaster + |
| Poverty Rate | 15.5% | 21.9% | Lancaster + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 20.1% | 23.2% | Rockford + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Lancaster
$466,147
Rockford
$180,220
Rockford +
Homeownership Rate
Lancaster
58.4%
Lancaster +
Rockford
53.8%
| Metric | Lancaster, CA | Rockford, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $466,147 | $180,220 | Rockford + |
| Homeownership Rate | 58.4% | 53.8% | Lancaster + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Lancaster
503
Rockford
344
Rockford +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Lancaster
2388
Rockford
1842
Rockford +
| Metric | Lancaster, CA | Rockford, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 503 | 344 | Rockford + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2388 | 1842 | Rockford + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Lancaster
30.6%
Lancaster +
Rockford
44.7%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Lancaster
12.6%
Lancaster +
Rockford
15.4%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Lancaster
19.3%
Rockford
19.0%
Rockford +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Lancaster
12.9%
Lancaster +
Rockford
14.0%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Lancaster
15.8%
Rockford
15.5%
Rockford +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Lancaster
14.0%
Lancaster +
Rockford
18.1%
| Metric | Lancaster, CA | Rockford, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 30.6% | 44.7% | Lancaster + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.6% | 15.4% | Lancaster + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.3% | 19.0% | Rockford + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 12.9% | 14.0% | Lancaster + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.8% | 15.5% | Rockford + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 14.0% | 18.1% | Lancaster + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Lancaster
62.1°F
Rockford
49.2°F
Rockford +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Lancaster
7.4 in
Lancaster +
Rockford
36.2 in
| Metric | Lancaster, CA | Rockford, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 62.1°F | 49.2°F | Rockford + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 7.4 in | 36.2 in | Lancaster + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Lancaster
7.9 µg/m³
Lancaster +
Rockford
9.4 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Lancaster
75.0%
Lancaster +
Rockford
55.0%
| Metric | Lancaster, CA | Rockford, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.9 µg/m³ | 9.4 µg/m³ | Lancaster + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Lancaster + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Lancaster
33.0 min
Rockford
22.7 min
Rockford +
| Metric | Lancaster, CA | Rockford, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 33.0 min | 22.7 min | Rockford + |
Which City is Right for You?
Lancaster leads in median household income at $76,083, 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 503 in Lancaster. Lancaster has a lower unemployment rate at 7.1%, and Lancaster has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Lancaster scores better with a lower obesity rate of 30.6%.
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