Lee's Summit MO 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)
Lee's Summit, MO
Missouri · Population: 102,583
- Median HH Income$104,989
- Median Home Price$313,200
- Unemployment3.9%
- Bachelor's+48.7%
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
Lee's Summit
102,583
Rockford
147,649
Rockford +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Lee's Summit
N/A
Rockford
N/A
Median Age
Lee's Summit
38.6
Rockford
37.5
Rockford +
Foreign Born
Lee's Summit
4.2%
Rockford
12.3%
Rockford +
White
Lee's Summit
78.7%
Lee's Summit +
Rockford
55.5%
Black
Lee's Summit
10.2%
Rockford
21.8%
Rockford +
Asian
Lee's Summit
1.9%
Rockford
3.7%
Rockford +
Hispanic
Lee's Summit
5.3%
Rockford
20.6%
Rockford +
Spanish at Home
Lee's Summit
N/A
Rockford
N/A
| Metric | Lee's Summit, MO | Rockford, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 102,583 | 147,649 | Rockford + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 38.6 | 37.5 | Rockford + |
| Foreign Born | 4.2% | 12.3% | Rockford + |
| White | 78.7% | 55.5% | Lee's Summit + |
| Black | 10.2% | 21.8% | Rockford + |
| Asian | 1.9% | 3.7% | Rockford + |
| Hispanic | 5.3% | 20.6% | Rockford + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Lee's Summit
$104,989
Lee's Summit +
Rockford
$53,328
Per Capita Income
Lee's Summit
$48,687
Lee's Summit +
Rockford
$30,409
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Lee's Summit
$58,527
Rockford
$68,110
Rockford +
Unemployment Rate
Lee's Summit
3.9%
Lee's Summit +
Rockford
8.6%
Poverty Rate
Lee's Summit
5.5%
Lee's Summit +
Rockford
21.9%
Bachelor's Degree+
Lee's Summit
48.7%
Lee's Summit +
Rockford
23.2%
| Metric | Lee's Summit, MO | Rockford, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $104,989 | $53,328 | Lee's Summit + |
| Per Capita Income | $48,687 | $30,409 | Lee's Summit + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,527 | $68,110 | Rockford + |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.9% | 8.6% | Lee's Summit + |
| Poverty Rate | 5.5% | 21.9% | Lee's Summit + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 48.7% | 23.2% | Lee's Summit + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Lee's Summit
$313,200
Rockford
$180,220
Rockford +
Homeownership Rate
Lee's Summit
73.6%
Lee's Summit +
Rockford
53.8%
| Metric | Lee's Summit, MO | Rockford, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $313,200 | $180,220 | Rockford + |
| Homeownership Rate | 73.6% | 53.8% | Lee's Summit + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Lee's Summit
501
Rockford
344
Rockford +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Lee's Summit
2418
Rockford
1842
Rockford +
| Metric | Lee's Summit, MO | Rockford, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 501 | 344 | Rockford + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2418 | 1842 | Rockford + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Lee's Summit
32.6%
Lee's Summit +
Rockford
44.7%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Lee's Summit
9.5%
Lee's Summit +
Rockford
15.4%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Lee's Summit
16.7%
Lee's Summit +
Rockford
19.0%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Lee's Summit
6.4%
Lee's Summit +
Rockford
14.0%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Lee's Summit
18.5%
Rockford
15.5%
Rockford +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Lee's Summit
11.9%
Lee's Summit +
Rockford
18.1%
| Metric | Lee's Summit, MO | Rockford, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 32.6% | 44.7% | Lee's Summit + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 9.5% | 15.4% | Lee's Summit + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.7% | 19.0% | Lee's Summit + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 6.4% | 14.0% | Lee's Summit + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 18.5% | 15.5% | Rockford + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 11.9% | 18.1% | Lee's Summit + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Lee's Summit
N/A
Rockford
49.2°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Lee's Summit
N/A
Rockford
36.2 in
| Metric | Lee's Summit, MO | Rockford, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 49.2°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 36.2 in | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Lee's Summit
9.3 µg/m³
Lee's Summit +
Rockford
9.4 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Lee's Summit
55.0%
Rockford
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Lee's Summit, MO | Rockford, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.3 µg/m³ | 9.4 µg/m³ | Lee's Summit + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 55.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Lee's Summit
26.9 min
Rockford
22.7 min
Rockford +
| Metric | Lee's Summit, MO | Rockford, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 26.9 min | 22.7 min | Rockford + |
Which City is Right for You?
Lee's Summit leads in median household income at $104,989, 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 501 in Lee's Summit. Lee's Summit has a lower unemployment rate at 3.9%, and Lee's Summit has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 9.3 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Lee's Summit scores better with a lower obesity rate of 32.6%.
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