Lowell MA 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)
Lowell, MA
Massachusetts · Population: 114,799
- Median HH Income$76,205
- Median Home Price$484,226
- Unemployment5.4%
- Bachelor's+29.9%
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
Lowell
114,799
Rockford
147,649
Rockford +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Lowell
N/A
Rockford
N/A
Median Age
Lowell
35.5
Lowell +
Rockford
37.5
Foreign Born
Lowell
29.5%
Lowell +
Rockford
12.3%
White
Lowell
50.9%
Rockford
55.5%
Rockford +
Black
Lowell
10.8%
Rockford
21.8%
Rockford +
Asian
Lowell
21.1%
Lowell +
Rockford
3.7%
Hispanic
Lowell
19.3%
Rockford
20.6%
Rockford +
Spanish at Home
Lowell
N/A
Rockford
N/A
| Metric | Lowell, MA | Rockford, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 114,799 | 147,649 | Rockford + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.5 | 37.5 | Lowell + |
| Foreign Born | 29.5% | 12.3% | Lowell + |
| White | 50.9% | 55.5% | Rockford + |
| Black | 10.8% | 21.8% | Rockford + |
| Asian | 21.1% | 3.7% | Lowell + |
| Hispanic | 19.3% | 20.6% | Rockford + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Lowell
$76,205
Lowell +
Rockford
$53,328
Per Capita Income
Lowell
$36,138
Lowell +
Rockford
$30,409
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Lowell
$85,405
Lowell +
Rockford
$68,110
Unemployment Rate
Lowell
5.4%
Lowell +
Rockford
8.6%
Poverty Rate
Lowell
16.0%
Lowell +
Rockford
21.9%
Bachelor's Degree+
Lowell
29.9%
Lowell +
Rockford
23.2%
| Metric | Lowell, MA | Rockford, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $76,205 | $53,328 | Lowell + |
| Per Capita Income | $36,138 | $30,409 | Lowell + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $85,405 | $68,110 | Lowell + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.4% | 8.6% | Lowell + |
| Poverty Rate | 16.0% | 21.9% | Lowell + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 29.9% | 23.2% | Lowell + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Lowell
$484,226
Rockford
$180,220
Rockford +
Homeownership Rate
Lowell
44.0%
Rockford
53.8%
Rockford +
| Metric | Lowell, MA | Rockford, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $484,226 | $180,220 | Rockford + |
| Homeownership Rate | 44.0% | 53.8% | Rockford + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Lowell
326
Lowell +
Rockford
344
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Lowell
1086
Lowell +
Rockford
1842
| Metric | Lowell, MA | Rockford, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 326 | 344 | Lowell + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1086 | 1842 | Lowell + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Lowell
27.2%
Lowell +
Rockford
44.7%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Lowell
10.9%
Lowell +
Rockford
15.4%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Lowell
18.5%
Lowell +
Rockford
19.0%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Lowell
8.2%
Lowell +
Rockford
14.0%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Lowell
15.1%
Lowell +
Rockford
15.5%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Lowell
14.1%
Lowell +
Rockford
18.1%
| Metric | Lowell, MA | Rockford, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 27.2% | 44.7% | Lowell + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 10.9% | 15.4% | Lowell + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.5% | 19.0% | Lowell + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 8.2% | 14.0% | Lowell + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.1% | 15.5% | Lowell + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 14.1% | 18.1% | Lowell + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Lowell
48.5°F
Lowell +
Rockford
49.2°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Lowell
47.0 in
Rockford
36.2 in
Rockford +
| Metric | Lowell, MA | Rockford, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 48.5°F | 49.2°F | Lowell + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 47.0 in | 36.2 in | Rockford + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Lowell
7.2 µg/m³
Lowell +
Rockford
9.4 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Lowell
75.0%
Lowell +
Rockford
55.0%
| Metric | Lowell, MA | Rockford, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.2 µg/m³ | 9.4 µg/m³ | Lowell + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Lowell + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Lowell
30.1 min
Rockford
22.7 min
Rockford +
| Metric | Lowell, MA | Rockford, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 30.1 min | 22.7 min | Rockford + |
Which City is Right for You?
Lowell leads in median household income at $76,205, while rockford offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $180,220. On public safety, Lowell is safer with a violent crime rate of 326 per 100,000 residents, compared to 344 in Rockford. Lowell has a lower unemployment rate at 5.4%, and Lowell has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Lowell scores better with a lower obesity rate of 27.2%.
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