Los Angeles 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)
Los Angeles, CA
California · Population: 3,857,897
- Median HH Income$80,366
- Median Home Price$956,465
- Unemployment7.9%
- Bachelor's+37.8%
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
Los Angeles
3,857,897
Los Angeles +
Rockford
147,649
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Los Angeles
N/A
Rockford
N/A
Median Age
Los Angeles
36.9
Los Angeles +
Rockford
37.5
Foreign Born
Los Angeles
35.8%
Los Angeles +
Rockford
12.3%
White
Los Angeles
37.3%
Rockford
55.5%
Rockford +
Black
Los Angeles
8.5%
Rockford
21.8%
Rockford +
Asian
Los Angeles
12.0%
Los Angeles +
Rockford
3.7%
Hispanic
Los Angeles
47.2%
Los Angeles +
Rockford
20.6%
Spanish at Home
Los Angeles
N/A
Rockford
N/A
| Metric | Los Angeles, CA | Rockford, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 3,857,897 | 147,649 | Los Angeles + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.9 | 37.5 | Los Angeles + |
| Foreign Born | 35.8% | 12.3% | Los Angeles + |
| White | 37.3% | 55.5% | Rockford + |
| Black | 8.5% | 21.8% | Rockford + |
| Asian | 12.0% | 3.7% | Los Angeles + |
| Hispanic | 47.2% | 20.6% | Los Angeles + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Los Angeles
$80,366
Los Angeles +
Rockford
$53,328
Per Capita Income
Los Angeles
$46,270
Los Angeles +
Rockford
$30,409
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Los Angeles
$77,230
Los Angeles +
Rockford
$68,110
Unemployment Rate
Los Angeles
7.9%
Los Angeles +
Rockford
8.6%
Poverty Rate
Los Angeles
16.6%
Los Angeles +
Rockford
21.9%
Bachelor's Degree+
Los Angeles
37.8%
Los Angeles +
Rockford
23.2%
| Metric | Los Angeles, CA | Rockford, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $80,366 | $53,328 | Los Angeles + |
| Per Capita Income | $46,270 | $30,409 | Los Angeles + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,230 | $68,110 | Los Angeles + |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.9% | 8.6% | Los Angeles + |
| Poverty Rate | 16.6% | 21.9% | Los Angeles + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 37.8% | 23.2% | Los Angeles + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Los Angeles
$956,465
Rockford
$180,220
Rockford +
Homeownership Rate
Los Angeles
36.3%
Rockford
53.8%
Rockford +
| Metric | Los Angeles, CA | Rockford, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $956,465 | $180,220 | Rockford + |
| Homeownership Rate | 36.3% | 53.8% | Rockford + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Los Angeles
503
Rockford
344
Rockford +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Los Angeles
2388
Rockford
1842
Rockford +
| Metric | Los Angeles, 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
Los Angeles
27.3%
Los Angeles +
Rockford
44.7%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Los Angeles
11.9%
Los Angeles +
Rockford
15.4%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Los Angeles
17.4%
Los Angeles +
Rockford
19.0%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Los Angeles
13.2%
Los Angeles +
Rockford
14.0%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Los Angeles
15.9%
Rockford
15.5%
Rockford +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Los Angeles
11.9%
Los Angeles +
Rockford
18.1%
| Metric | Los Angeles, CA | Rockford, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 27.3% | 44.7% | Los Angeles + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.9% | 15.4% | Los Angeles + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.4% | 19.0% | Los Angeles + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 13.2% | 14.0% | Los Angeles + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.9% | 15.5% | Rockford + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 11.9% | 18.1% | Los Angeles + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Los Angeles
62.6°F
Rockford
49.2°F
Rockford +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Los Angeles
12.8 in
Los Angeles +
Rockford
36.2 in
| Metric | Los Angeles, CA | Rockford, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 62.6°F | 49.2°F | Rockford + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 12.8 in | 36.2 in | Los Angeles + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Los Angeles
7.9 µg/m³
Los Angeles +
Rockford
9.4 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Los Angeles
75.0%
Los Angeles +
Rockford
55.0%
| Metric | Los Angeles, CA | Rockford, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.9 µg/m³ | 9.4 µg/m³ | Los Angeles + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Los Angeles + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Los Angeles
33.8 min
Rockford
22.7 min
Rockford +
| Metric | Los Angeles, CA | Rockford, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 33.8 min | 22.7 min | Rockford + |
Which City is Right for You?
Los Angeles leads in median household income at $80,366, 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 Los Angeles. Los Angeles has a lower unemployment rate at 7.9%, and Los Angeles has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Los Angeles scores better with a lower obesity rate of 27.3%.
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