Manchester NH 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)
Manchester, NH
New Hampshire · Population: 115,415
- Median HH Income$77,415
- Median Home Price$441,257
- Unemployment3.8%
- Bachelor's+33.5%
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
Manchester
115,415
Rockford
147,649
Rockford +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Manchester
N/A
Rockford
N/A
Median Age
Manchester
37.9
Rockford
37.5
Rockford +
Foreign Born
Manchester
14.8%
Manchester +
Rockford
12.3%
White
Manchester
76.7%
Manchester +
Rockford
55.5%
Black
Manchester
5.3%
Rockford
21.8%
Rockford +
Asian
Manchester
4.6%
Manchester +
Rockford
3.7%
Hispanic
Manchester
13.5%
Rockford
20.6%
Rockford +
Spanish at Home
Manchester
N/A
Rockford
N/A
| Metric | Manchester, NH | Rockford, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 115,415 | 147,649 | Rockford + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 37.9 | 37.5 | Rockford + |
| Foreign Born | 14.8% | 12.3% | Manchester + |
| White | 76.7% | 55.5% | Manchester + |
| Black | 5.3% | 21.8% | Rockford + |
| Asian | 4.6% | 3.7% | Manchester + |
| Hispanic | 13.5% | 20.6% | Rockford + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Manchester
$77,415
Manchester +
Rockford
$53,328
Per Capita Income
Manchester
$44,220
Manchester +
Rockford
$30,409
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Manchester
$75,331
Manchester +
Rockford
$68,110
Unemployment Rate
Manchester
3.8%
Manchester +
Rockford
8.6%
Poverty Rate
Manchester
10.7%
Manchester +
Rockford
21.9%
Bachelor's Degree+
Manchester
33.5%
Manchester +
Rockford
23.2%
| Metric | Manchester, NH | Rockford, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $77,415 | $53,328 | Manchester + |
| Per Capita Income | $44,220 | $30,409 | Manchester + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $75,331 | $68,110 | Manchester + |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.8% | 8.6% | Manchester + |
| Poverty Rate | 10.7% | 21.9% | Manchester + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 33.5% | 23.2% | Manchester + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Manchester
$441,257
Rockford
$180,220
Rockford +
Homeownership Rate
Manchester
49.3%
Rockford
53.8%
Rockford +
| Metric | Manchester, NH | Rockford, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $441,257 | $180,220 | Rockford + |
| Homeownership Rate | 49.3% | 53.8% | Rockford + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Manchester
134
Manchester +
Rockford
344
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Manchester
1048
Manchester +
Rockford
1842
| Metric | Manchester, NH | Rockford, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 134 | 344 | Manchester + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1048 | 1842 | Manchester + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Manchester
35.0%
Manchester +
Rockford
44.7%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Manchester
9.4%
Manchester +
Rockford
15.4%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Manchester
17.4%
Manchester +
Rockford
19.0%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Manchester
9.9%
Manchester +
Rockford
14.0%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Manchester
16.4%
Rockford
15.5%
Rockford +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Manchester
12.9%
Manchester +
Rockford
18.1%
| Metric | Manchester, NH | Rockford, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 35.0% | 44.7% | Manchester + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 9.4% | 15.4% | Manchester + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.4% | 19.0% | Manchester + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.9% | 14.0% | Manchester + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.4% | 15.5% | Rockford + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.9% | 18.1% | Manchester + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Manchester
49.2°F
Rockford
49.2°F
Tie
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Manchester
44.6 in
Rockford
36.2 in
Rockford +
| Metric | Manchester, NH | Rockford, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 49.2°F | 49.2°F | Tie |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 44.6 in | 36.2 in | Rockford + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Manchester
5.9 µg/m³
Manchester +
Rockford
9.4 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Manchester
75.0%
Manchester +
Rockford
55.0%
| Metric | Manchester, NH | Rockford, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 5.9 µg/m³ | 9.4 µg/m³ | Manchester + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Manchester + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Manchester
25.7 min
Rockford
22.7 min
Rockford +
| Metric | Manchester, NH | Rockford, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 25.7 min | 22.7 min | Rockford + |
Which City is Right for You?
Manchester leads in median household income at $77,415, while rockford offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $180,220. On public safety, Manchester is safer with a violent crime rate of 134 per 100,000 residents, compared to 344 in Rockford. Manchester has a lower unemployment rate at 3.8%, and Manchester has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 5.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Manchester scores better with a lower obesity rate of 35.0%.
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