Little Rock AR 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)
Little Rock, AR
Arkansas · Population: 202,739
- Median HH Income$60,583
- Median Home Price$216,863
- Unemployment4.2%
- Bachelor's+44.0%
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
Little Rock
202,739
Little Rock +
Rockford
147,649
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Little Rock
N/A
Rockford
N/A
Median Age
Little Rock
36.4
Little Rock +
Rockford
37.5
Foreign Born
Little Rock
7.9%
Rockford
12.3%
Rockford +
White
Little Rock
46.4%
Rockford
55.5%
Rockford +
Black
Little Rock
39.4%
Little Rock +
Rockford
21.8%
Asian
Little Rock
3.0%
Rockford
3.7%
Rockford +
Hispanic
Little Rock
10.4%
Rockford
20.6%
Rockford +
Spanish at Home
Little Rock
N/A
Rockford
N/A
| Metric | Little Rock, AR | Rockford, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 202,739 | 147,649 | Little Rock + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.4 | 37.5 | Little Rock + |
| Foreign Born | 7.9% | 12.3% | Rockford + |
| White | 46.4% | 55.5% | Rockford + |
| Black | 39.4% | 21.8% | Little Rock + |
| Asian | 3.0% | 3.7% | Rockford + |
| Hispanic | 10.4% | 20.6% | Rockford + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Little Rock
$60,583
Little Rock +
Rockford
$53,328
Per Capita Income
Little Rock
$43,242
Little Rock +
Rockford
$30,409
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Little Rock
$53,714
Rockford
$68,110
Rockford +
Unemployment Rate
Little Rock
4.2%
Little Rock +
Rockford
8.6%
Poverty Rate
Little Rock
16.4%
Little Rock +
Rockford
21.9%
Bachelor's Degree+
Little Rock
44.0%
Little Rock +
Rockford
23.2%
| Metric | Little Rock, AR | Rockford, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $60,583 | $53,328 | Little Rock + |
| Per Capita Income | $43,242 | $30,409 | Little Rock + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $53,714 | $68,110 | Rockford + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.2% | 8.6% | Little Rock + |
| Poverty Rate | 16.4% | 21.9% | Little Rock + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 44.0% | 23.2% | Little Rock + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Little Rock
$216,863
Rockford
$180,220
Rockford +
Homeownership Rate
Little Rock
54.2%
Little Rock +
Rockford
53.8%
| Metric | Little Rock, AR | Rockford, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $216,863 | $180,220 | Rockford + |
| Homeownership Rate | 54.2% | 53.8% | Little Rock + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Little Rock
660
Rockford
344
Rockford +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Little Rock
2507
Rockford
1842
Rockford +
| Metric | Little Rock, AR | Rockford, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 660 | 344 | Rockford + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2507 | 1842 | Rockford + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Little Rock
40.5%
Little Rock +
Rockford
44.7%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Little Rock
13.1%
Little Rock +
Rockford
15.4%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Little Rock
17.5%
Little Rock +
Rockford
19.0%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Little Rock
11.4%
Little Rock +
Rockford
14.0%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Little Rock
14.3%
Little Rock +
Rockford
15.5%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Little Rock
13.3%
Little Rock +
Rockford
18.1%
| Metric | Little Rock, AR | Rockford, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 40.5% | 44.7% | Little Rock + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.1% | 15.4% | Little Rock + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.5% | 19.0% | Little Rock + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.4% | 14.0% | Little Rock + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.3% | 15.5% | Little Rock + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 13.3% | 18.1% | Little Rock + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Little Rock
62.7°F
Rockford
49.2°F
Rockford +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Little Rock
50.0 in
Rockford
36.2 in
Rockford +
| Metric | Little Rock, AR | Rockford, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 62.7°F | 49.2°F | Rockford + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 50.0 in | 36.2 in | Rockford + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Little Rock
9.5 µg/m³
Rockford
9.4 µg/m³
Rockford +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Little Rock
55.0%
Rockford
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Little Rock, AR | Rockford, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.5 µg/m³ | 9.4 µg/m³ | Rockford + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 55.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Little Rock
20.0 min
Little Rock +
Rockford
22.7 min
| Metric | Little Rock, AR | Rockford, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 20.0 min | 22.7 min | Little Rock + |
Which City is Right for You?
Little Rock leads in median household income at $60,583, 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 660 in Little Rock. Little Rock has a lower unemployment rate at 4.2%, and Rockford has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 9.4 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Little Rock scores better with a lower obesity rate of 40.5%.
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