McKinney 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)
McKinney, TX
Texas · Population: 148,848
- Median HH Income$71,843
- Median Home Price$487,346
- Unemployment4.8%
- Bachelor's+18.5%
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
McKinney
148,848
McKinney +
Rockford
147,649
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
McKinney
N/A
Rockford
N/A
Median Age
McKinney
33.4
McKinney +
Rockford
37.5
Foreign Born
McKinney
21.0%
McKinney +
Rockford
12.3%
White
McKinney
37.8%
Rockford
55.5%
Rockford +
Black
McKinney
24.7%
McKinney +
Rockford
21.8%
Asian
McKinney
3.0%
Rockford
3.7%
Rockford +
Hispanic
McKinney
44.7%
McKinney +
Rockford
20.6%
Spanish at Home
McKinney
N/A
Rockford
N/A
| Metric | McKinney, TX | Rockford, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 148,848 | 147,649 | McKinney + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 33.4 | 37.5 | McKinney + |
| Foreign Born | 21.0% | 12.3% | McKinney + |
| White | 37.8% | 55.5% | Rockford + |
| Black | 24.7% | 21.8% | McKinney + |
| Asian | 3.0% | 3.7% | Rockford + |
| Hispanic | 44.7% | 20.6% | McKinney + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
McKinney
$71,843
McKinney +
Rockford
$53,328
Per Capita Income
McKinney
$29,291
Rockford
$30,409
Rockford +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
McKinney
$63,758
Rockford
$68,110
Rockford +
Unemployment Rate
McKinney
4.8%
McKinney +
Rockford
8.6%
Poverty Rate
McKinney
12.4%
McKinney +
Rockford
21.9%
Bachelor's Degree+
McKinney
18.5%
Rockford
23.2%
Rockford +
| Metric | McKinney, TX | Rockford, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $71,843 | $53,328 | McKinney + |
| Per Capita Income | $29,291 | $30,409 | Rockford + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $63,758 | $68,110 | Rockford + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.8% | 8.6% | McKinney + |
| Poverty Rate | 12.4% | 21.9% | McKinney + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 18.5% | 23.2% | Rockford + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
McKinney
$487,346
Rockford
$180,220
Rockford +
Homeownership Rate
McKinney
63.2%
McKinney +
Rockford
53.8%
| Metric | McKinney, TX | Rockford, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $487,346 | $180,220 | Rockford + |
| Homeownership Rate | 63.2% | 53.8% | McKinney + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
McKinney
442
Rockford
344
Rockford +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
McKinney
2339
Rockford
1842
Rockford +
| Metric | McKinney, 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
McKinney
33.9%
McKinney +
Rockford
44.7%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
McKinney
9.1%
McKinney +
Rockford
15.4%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
McKinney
15.7%
McKinney +
Rockford
19.0%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
McKinney
10.9%
McKinney +
Rockford
14.0%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
McKinney
18.3%
Rockford
15.5%
Rockford +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
McKinney
9.9%
McKinney +
Rockford
18.1%
| Metric | McKinney, TX | Rockford, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 33.9% | 44.7% | McKinney + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 9.1% | 15.4% | McKinney + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 15.7% | 19.0% | McKinney + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 10.9% | 14.0% | McKinney + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 18.3% | 15.5% | Rockford + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 9.9% | 18.1% | McKinney + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
McKinney
64.2°F
Rockford
49.2°F
Rockford +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
McKinney
40.0 in
Rockford
36.2 in
Rockford +
| Metric | McKinney, TX | Rockford, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 64.2°F | 49.2°F | Rockford + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 40.0 in | 36.2 in | Rockford + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
McKinney
9.2 µg/m³
McKinney +
Rockford
9.4 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
McKinney
55.0%
Rockford
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | McKinney, TX | Rockford, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.2 µg/m³ | 9.4 µg/m³ | McKinney + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 55.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
McKinney
35.6 min
Rockford
22.7 min
Rockford +
| Metric | McKinney, TX | Rockford, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 35.6 min | 22.7 min | Rockford + |
Which City is Right for You?
McKinney leads in median household income at $71,843, 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 McKinney. McKinney has a lower unemployment rate at 4.8%, and McKinney has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 9.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, McKinney scores better with a lower obesity rate of 33.9%.
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