Lubbock TX 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)
Lubbock, TX
Texas · Population: 261,078
- Median HH Income$60,487
- Median Home Price$210,477
- Unemployment4.8%
- Bachelor's+34.9%
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
Lubbock
261,078
Lubbock +
Rockford
147,649
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Lubbock
N/A
Rockford
N/A
Median Age
Lubbock
30.4
Lubbock +
Rockford
37.5
Foreign Born
Lubbock
6.2%
Rockford
12.3%
Rockford +
White
Lubbock
64.6%
Lubbock +
Rockford
55.5%
Black
Lubbock
8.3%
Rockford
21.8%
Rockford +
Asian
Lubbock
2.8%
Rockford
3.7%
Rockford +
Hispanic
Lubbock
36.8%
Lubbock +
Rockford
20.6%
Spanish at Home
Lubbock
N/A
Rockford
N/A
| Metric | Lubbock, TX | Rockford, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 261,078 | 147,649 | Lubbock + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 30.4 | 37.5 | Lubbock + |
| Foreign Born | 6.2% | 12.3% | Rockford + |
| White | 64.6% | 55.5% | Lubbock + |
| Black | 8.3% | 21.8% | Rockford + |
| Asian | 2.8% | 3.7% | Rockford + |
| Hispanic | 36.8% | 20.6% | Lubbock + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Lubbock
$60,487
Lubbock +
Rockford
$53,328
Per Capita Income
Lubbock
$34,629
Lubbock +
Rockford
$30,409
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Lubbock
$63,758
Rockford
$68,110
Rockford +
Unemployment Rate
Lubbock
4.8%
Lubbock +
Rockford
8.6%
Poverty Rate
Lubbock
19.0%
Lubbock +
Rockford
21.9%
Bachelor's Degree+
Lubbock
34.9%
Lubbock +
Rockford
23.2%
| Metric | Lubbock, TX | Rockford, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $60,487 | $53,328 | Lubbock + |
| Per Capita Income | $34,629 | $30,409 | Lubbock + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $63,758 | $68,110 | Rockford + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.8% | 8.6% | Lubbock + |
| Poverty Rate | 19.0% | 21.9% | Lubbock + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 34.9% | 23.2% | Lubbock + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Lubbock
$210,477
Rockford
$180,220
Rockford +
Homeownership Rate
Lubbock
50.8%
Rockford
53.8%
Rockford +
| Metric | Lubbock, TX | Rockford, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $210,477 | $180,220 | Rockford + |
| Homeownership Rate | 50.8% | 53.8% | Rockford + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Lubbock
442
Rockford
344
Rockford +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Lubbock
2339
Rockford
1842
Rockford +
| Metric | Lubbock, TX | Rockford, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 442 | 344 | Rockford + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2339 | 1842 | Rockford + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Lubbock
35.8%
Lubbock +
Rockford
44.7%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Lubbock
11.8%
Lubbock +
Rockford
15.4%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Lubbock
18.5%
Lubbock +
Rockford
19.0%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Lubbock
18.4%
Rockford
14.0%
Rockford +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Lubbock
17.6%
Rockford
15.5%
Rockford +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Lubbock
13.0%
Lubbock +
Rockford
18.1%
| Metric | Lubbock, TX | Rockford, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 35.8% | 44.7% | Lubbock + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.8% | 15.4% | Lubbock + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.5% | 19.0% | Lubbock + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 18.4% | 14.0% | Rockford + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 17.6% | 15.5% | Rockford + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 13.0% | 18.1% | Lubbock + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Lubbock
N/A
Rockford
49.2°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Lubbock
21.1 in
Lubbock +
Rockford
36.2 in
| Metric | Lubbock, TX | Rockford, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 49.2°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 21.1 in | 36.2 in | Lubbock + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Lubbock
9.2 µg/m³
Lubbock +
Rockford
9.4 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Lubbock
55.0%
Rockford
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Lubbock, TX | Rockford, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.2 µg/m³ | 9.4 µg/m³ | Lubbock + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 55.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Lubbock
17.4 min
Lubbock +
Rockford
22.7 min
| Metric | Lubbock, TX | Rockford, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 17.4 min | 22.7 min | Lubbock + |
Which City is Right for You?
Lubbock leads in median household income at $60,487, 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 442 in Lubbock. Lubbock has a lower unemployment rate at 4.8%, and Lubbock has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 9.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Lubbock scores better with a lower obesity rate of 35.8%.
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