Madison WI 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)
Madison, WI
Wisconsin · Population: 275,568
- Median HH Income$76,983
- Median Home Price$429,253
- Unemployment2.7%
- Bachelor's+59.2%
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
Madison
275,568
Madison +
Rockford
147,649
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Madison
N/A
Rockford
N/A
Median Age
Madison
31.8
Madison +
Rockford
37.5
Foreign Born
Madison
11.6%
Rockford
12.3%
Rockford +
White
Madison
73.0%
Madison +
Rockford
55.5%
Black
Madison
7.1%
Rockford
21.8%
Rockford +
Asian
Madison
8.0%
Madison +
Rockford
3.7%
Hispanic
Madison
9.3%
Rockford
20.6%
Rockford +
Spanish at Home
Madison
N/A
Rockford
N/A
| Metric | Madison, WI | Rockford, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 275,568 | 147,649 | Madison + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 31.8 | 37.5 | Madison + |
| Foreign Born | 11.6% | 12.3% | Rockford + |
| White | 73.0% | 55.5% | Madison + |
| Black | 7.1% | 21.8% | Rockford + |
| Asian | 8.0% | 3.7% | Madison + |
| Hispanic | 9.3% | 20.6% | Rockford + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Madison
$76,983
Madison +
Rockford
$53,328
Per Capita Income
Madison
$48,557
Madison +
Rockford
$30,409
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Madison
$61,837
Rockford
$68,110
Rockford +
Unemployment Rate
Madison
2.7%
Madison +
Rockford
8.6%
Poverty Rate
Madison
16.2%
Madison +
Rockford
21.9%
Bachelor's Degree+
Madison
59.2%
Madison +
Rockford
23.2%
| Metric | Madison, WI | Rockford, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $76,983 | $53,328 | Madison + |
| Per Capita Income | $48,557 | $30,409 | Madison + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $61,837 | $68,110 | Rockford + |
| Unemployment Rate | 2.7% | 8.6% | Madison + |
| Poverty Rate | 16.2% | 21.9% | Madison + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 59.2% | 23.2% | Madison + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Madison
$429,253
Rockford
$180,220
Rockford +
Homeownership Rate
Madison
46.6%
Rockford
53.8%
Rockford +
| Metric | Madison, WI | Rockford, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $429,253 | $180,220 | Rockford + |
| Homeownership Rate | 46.6% | 53.8% | Rockford + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Madison
309
Madison +
Rockford
344
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Madison
1392
Madison +
Rockford
1842
| Metric | Madison, WI | Rockford, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 309 | 344 | Madison + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1392 | 1842 | Madison + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Madison
32.7%
Madison +
Rockford
44.7%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Madison
7.4%
Madison +
Rockford
15.4%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Madison
16.5%
Madison +
Rockford
19.0%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Madison
7.9%
Madison +
Rockford
14.0%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Madison
20.8%
Rockford
15.5%
Rockford +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Madison
10.2%
Madison +
Rockford
18.1%
| Metric | Madison, WI | Rockford, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 32.7% | 44.7% | Madison + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 7.4% | 15.4% | Madison + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.5% | 19.0% | Madison + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 7.9% | 14.0% | Madison + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 20.8% | 15.5% | Rockford + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 10.2% | 18.1% | Madison + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Madison
46.7°F
Madison +
Rockford
49.2°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Madison
37.3 in
Rockford
36.2 in
Rockford +
| Metric | Madison, WI | Rockford, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 46.7°F | 49.2°F | Madison + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 37.3 in | 36.2 in | Rockford + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Madison
9.3 µg/m³
Madison +
Rockford
9.4 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Madison
55.0%
Rockford
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Madison, WI | Rockford, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.3 µg/m³ | 9.4 µg/m³ | Madison + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 55.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Madison
21.2 min
Madison +
Rockford
22.7 min
| Metric | Madison, WI | Rockford, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 21.2 min | 22.7 min | Madison + |
Which City is Right for You?
Madison leads in median household income at $76,983, while rockford offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $180,220. On public safety, Madison is safer with a violent crime rate of 309 per 100,000 residents, compared to 344 in Rockford. Madison has a lower unemployment rate at 2.7%, and Madison has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 9.3 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Madison scores better with a lower obesity rate of 32.7%.
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