Memphis TN 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)
Memphis, TN
Tennessee · Population: 629,063
- Median HH Income$51,211
- Median Home Price$147,306
- Unemployment8.3%
- Bachelor's+28.2%
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
Memphis
629,063
Memphis +
Rockford
147,649
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Memphis
N/A
Rockford
N/A
Median Age
Memphis
34.3
Memphis +
Rockford
37.5
Foreign Born
Memphis
7.4%
Rockford
12.3%
Rockford +
White
Memphis
25.0%
Rockford
55.5%
Rockford +
Black
Memphis
62.9%
Memphis +
Rockford
21.8%
Asian
Memphis
1.7%
Rockford
3.7%
Rockford +
Hispanic
Memphis
10.2%
Rockford
20.6%
Rockford +
Spanish at Home
Memphis
N/A
Rockford
N/A
| Metric | Memphis, TN | Rockford, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 629,063 | 147,649 | Memphis + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.3 | 37.5 | Memphis + |
| Foreign Born | 7.4% | 12.3% | Rockford + |
| White | 25.0% | 55.5% | Rockford + |
| Black | 62.9% | 21.8% | Memphis + |
| Asian | 1.7% | 3.7% | Rockford + |
| Hispanic | 10.2% | 20.6% | Rockford + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Memphis
$51,211
Rockford
$53,328
Rockford +
Per Capita Income
Memphis
$32,314
Memphis +
Rockford
$30,409
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Memphis
$59,097
Rockford
$68,110
Rockford +
Unemployment Rate
Memphis
8.3%
Memphis +
Rockford
8.6%
Poverty Rate
Memphis
22.5%
Rockford
21.9%
Rockford +
Bachelor's Degree+
Memphis
28.2%
Memphis +
Rockford
23.2%
| Metric | Memphis, TN | Rockford, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $51,211 | $53,328 | Rockford + |
| Per Capita Income | $32,314 | $30,409 | Memphis + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $59,097 | $68,110 | Rockford + |
| Unemployment Rate | 8.3% | 8.6% | Memphis + |
| Poverty Rate | 22.5% | 21.9% | Rockford + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 28.2% | 23.2% | Memphis + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Memphis
$147,306
Memphis +
Rockford
$180,220
Homeownership Rate
Memphis
46.0%
Rockford
53.8%
Rockford +
| Metric | Memphis, TN | Rockford, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $147,306 | $180,220 | Memphis + |
| Homeownership Rate | 46.0% | 53.8% | Rockford + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Memphis
639
Rockford
344
Rockford +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Memphis
2350
Rockford
1842
Rockford +
| Metric | Memphis, TN | Rockford, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 639 | 344 | Rockford + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2350 | 1842 | Rockford + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Memphis
42.1%
Memphis +
Rockford
44.7%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Memphis
17.6%
Rockford
15.4%
Rockford +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Memphis
20.7%
Rockford
19.0%
Rockford +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Memphis
14.9%
Rockford
14.0%
Rockford +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Memphis
13.5%
Memphis +
Rockford
15.5%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Memphis
19.9%
Rockford
18.1%
Rockford +
| Metric | Memphis, TN | Rockford, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 42.1% | 44.7% | Memphis + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 17.6% | 15.4% | Rockford + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 20.7% | 19.0% | Rockford + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 14.9% | 14.0% | Rockford + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 13.5% | 15.5% | Memphis + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 19.9% | 18.1% | Rockford + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Memphis
60.9°F
Rockford
49.2°F
Rockford +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Memphis
54.9 in
Rockford
36.2 in
Rockford +
| Metric | Memphis, TN | Rockford, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 60.9°F | 49.2°F | Rockford + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 54.9 in | 36.2 in | Rockford + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Memphis
8.9 µg/m³
Memphis +
Rockford
9.4 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Memphis
75.0%
Memphis +
Rockford
55.0%
| Metric | Memphis, TN | Rockford, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.9 µg/m³ | 9.4 µg/m³ | Memphis + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Memphis + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Memphis
22.9 min
Rockford
22.7 min
Rockford +
| Metric | Memphis, TN | Rockford, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 22.9 min | 22.7 min | Rockford + |
Which City is Right for You?
Rockford leads in median household income at $53,328, while memphis offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $147,306. On public safety, Rockford is safer with a violent crime rate of 344 per 100,000 residents, compared to 639 in Memphis. Memphis has a lower unemployment rate at 8.3%, and Memphis has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Memphis scores better with a lower obesity rate of 42.1%.
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