Long Beach 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)
Long Beach, CA
California · Population: 458,491
- Median HH Income$83,969
- Median Home Price$862,599
- Unemployment6.5%
- Bachelor's+34.8%
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
Long Beach
458,491
Long Beach +
Rockford
147,649
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Long Beach
N/A
Rockford
N/A
Median Age
Long Beach
36.8
Long Beach +
Rockford
37.5
Foreign Born
Long Beach
24.7%
Long Beach +
Rockford
12.3%
White
Long Beach
41.6%
Rockford
55.5%
Rockford +
Black
Long Beach
11.9%
Rockford
21.8%
Rockford +
Asian
Long Beach
12.8%
Long Beach +
Rockford
3.7%
Hispanic
Long Beach
43.4%
Long Beach +
Rockford
20.6%
Spanish at Home
Long Beach
N/A
Rockford
N/A
| Metric | Long Beach, CA | Rockford, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 458,491 | 147,649 | Long Beach + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.8 | 37.5 | Long Beach + |
| Foreign Born | 24.7% | 12.3% | Long Beach + |
| White | 41.6% | 55.5% | Rockford + |
| Black | 11.9% | 21.8% | Rockford + |
| Asian | 12.8% | 3.7% | Long Beach + |
| Hispanic | 43.4% | 20.6% | Long Beach + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Long Beach
$83,969
Long Beach +
Rockford
$53,328
Per Capita Income
Long Beach
$42,370
Long Beach +
Rockford
$30,409
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Long Beach
$77,230
Long Beach +
Rockford
$68,110
Unemployment Rate
Long Beach
6.5%
Long Beach +
Rockford
8.6%
Poverty Rate
Long Beach
15.0%
Long Beach +
Rockford
21.9%
Bachelor's Degree+
Long Beach
34.8%
Long Beach +
Rockford
23.2%
| Metric | Long Beach, CA | Rockford, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $83,969 | $53,328 | Long Beach + |
| Per Capita Income | $42,370 | $30,409 | Long Beach + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,230 | $68,110 | Long Beach + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.5% | 8.6% | Long Beach + |
| Poverty Rate | 15.0% | 21.9% | Long Beach + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 34.8% | 23.2% | Long Beach + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Long Beach
$862,599
Rockford
$180,220
Rockford +
Homeownership Rate
Long Beach
40.9%
Rockford
53.8%
Rockford +
| Metric | Long Beach, CA | Rockford, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $862,599 | $180,220 | Rockford + |
| Homeownership Rate | 40.9% | 53.8% | Rockford + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Long Beach
503
Rockford
344
Rockford +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Long Beach
2388
Rockford
1842
Rockford +
| Metric | Long Beach, 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
Long Beach
27.4%
Long Beach +
Rockford
44.7%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Long Beach
11.7%
Long Beach +
Rockford
15.4%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Long Beach
17.5%
Long Beach +
Rockford
19.0%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Long Beach
11.9%
Long Beach +
Rockford
14.0%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Long Beach
15.7%
Rockford
15.5%
Rockford +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Long Beach
11.9%
Long Beach +
Rockford
18.1%
| Metric | Long Beach, CA | Rockford, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 27.4% | 44.7% | Long Beach + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.7% | 15.4% | Long Beach + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.5% | 19.0% | Long Beach + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.9% | 14.0% | Long Beach + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.7% | 15.5% | Rockford + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 11.9% | 18.1% | Long Beach + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Long Beach
64.7°F
Rockford
49.2°F
Rockford +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Long Beach
12.3 in
Long Beach +
Rockford
36.2 in
| Metric | Long Beach, CA | Rockford, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 64.7°F | 49.2°F | Rockford + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 12.3 in | 36.2 in | Long Beach + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Long Beach
7.9 µg/m³
Long Beach +
Rockford
9.4 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Long Beach
75.0%
Long Beach +
Rockford
55.0%
| Metric | Long Beach, CA | Rockford, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.9 µg/m³ | 9.4 µg/m³ | Long Beach + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Long Beach + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Long Beach
32.6 min
Rockford
22.7 min
Rockford +
| Metric | Long Beach, CA | Rockford, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 32.6 min | 22.7 min | Rockford + |
Which City is Right for You?
Long Beach leads in median household income at $83,969, 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 Long Beach. Long Beach has a lower unemployment rate at 6.5%, and Long Beach has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Long Beach scores better with a lower obesity rate of 27.4%.
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