Lansing MI 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)
Lansing, MI
Michigan · Population: 112,546
- Median HH Income$52,170
- Median Home Price$166,132
- Unemployment8.1%
- Bachelor's+29.6%
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
Lansing
112,546
Rockford
147,649
Rockford +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Lansing
N/A
Rockford
N/A
Median Age
Lansing
33.5
Lansing +
Rockford
37.5
Foreign Born
Lansing
10.1%
Rockford
12.3%
Rockford +
White
Lansing
56.1%
Lansing +
Rockford
55.5%
Black
Lansing
23.4%
Lansing +
Rockford
21.8%
Asian
Lansing
5.3%
Lansing +
Rockford
3.7%
Hispanic
Lansing
12.9%
Rockford
20.6%
Rockford +
Spanish at Home
Lansing
N/A
Rockford
N/A
| Metric | Lansing, MI | Rockford, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 112,546 | 147,649 | Rockford + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 33.5 | 37.5 | Lansing + |
| Foreign Born | 10.1% | 12.3% | Rockford + |
| White | 56.1% | 55.5% | Lansing + |
| Black | 23.4% | 21.8% | Lansing + |
| Asian | 5.3% | 3.7% | Lansing + |
| Hispanic | 12.9% | 20.6% | Rockford + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Lansing
$52,170
Rockford
$53,328
Rockford +
Per Capita Income
Lansing
$29,894
Rockford
$30,409
Rockford +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Lansing
$58,052
Rockford
$68,110
Rockford +
Unemployment Rate
Lansing
8.1%
Lansing +
Rockford
8.6%
Poverty Rate
Lansing
19.9%
Lansing +
Rockford
21.9%
Bachelor's Degree+
Lansing
29.6%
Lansing +
Rockford
23.2%
| Metric | Lansing, MI | Rockford, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $52,170 | $53,328 | Rockford + |
| Per Capita Income | $29,894 | $30,409 | Rockford + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,052 | $68,110 | Rockford + |
| Unemployment Rate | 8.1% | 8.6% | Lansing + |
| Poverty Rate | 19.9% | 21.9% | Lansing + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 29.6% | 23.2% | Lansing + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Lansing
$166,132
Lansing +
Rockford
$180,220
Homeownership Rate
Lansing
53.9%
Lansing +
Rockford
53.8%
| Metric | Lansing, MI | Rockford, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $166,132 | $180,220 | Lansing + |
| Homeownership Rate | 53.9% | 53.8% | Lansing + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Lansing
471
Rockford
344
Rockford +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Lansing
1590
Lansing +
Rockford
1842
| Metric | Lansing, MI | Rockford, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 471 | 344 | Rockford + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1590 | 1842 | Lansing + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Lansing
39.9%
Lansing +
Rockford
44.7%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Lansing
12.4%
Lansing +
Rockford
15.4%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Lansing
19.6%
Rockford
19.0%
Rockford +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Lansing
9.3%
Lansing +
Rockford
14.0%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Lansing
16.4%
Rockford
15.5%
Rockford +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Lansing
16.8%
Lansing +
Rockford
18.1%
| Metric | Lansing, MI | Rockford, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 39.9% | 44.7% | Lansing + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.4% | 15.4% | Lansing + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.6% | 19.0% | Rockford + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.3% | 14.0% | Lansing + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.4% | 15.5% | Rockford + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 16.8% | 18.1% | Lansing + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Lansing
48.8°F
Lansing +
Rockford
49.2°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Lansing
32.2 in
Lansing +
Rockford
36.2 in
| Metric | Lansing, MI | Rockford, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 48.8°F | 49.2°F | Lansing + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 32.2 in | 36.2 in | Lansing + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Lansing
10.7 µg/m³
Rockford
9.4 µg/m³
Rockford +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Lansing
55.0%
Rockford
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Lansing, MI | Rockford, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 10.7 µg/m³ | 9.4 µg/m³ | Rockford + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 55.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Lansing
21.2 min
Lansing +
Rockford
22.7 min
| Metric | Lansing, MI | Rockford, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 21.2 min | 22.7 min | Lansing + |
Which City is Right for You?
Rockford leads in median household income at $53,328, while lansing offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $166,132. On public safety, Rockford is safer with a violent crime rate of 344 per 100,000 residents, compared to 471 in Lansing. Lansing has a lower unemployment rate at 8.1%, and Rockford has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 9.4 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Lansing scores better with a lower obesity rate of 39.9%.
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