Miami Gardens FL 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)
Miami Gardens, FL
Florida · Population: 11,627
- Median HH Income$137,873
- Median Home Price$472,888
- Unemployment6.5%
- Bachelor's+64.7%
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
Miami Gardens
11,627
Rockford
147,649
Rockford +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Miami Gardens
N/A
Rockford
N/A
Median Age
Miami Gardens
37.7
Rockford
37.5
Rockford +
Foreign Born
Miami Gardens
29.1%
Miami Gardens +
Rockford
12.3%
White
Miami Gardens
52.5%
Rockford
55.5%
Rockford +
Black
Miami Gardens
15.3%
Rockford
21.8%
Rockford +
Asian
Miami Gardens
3.5%
Rockford
3.7%
Rockford +
Hispanic
Miami Gardens
34.0%
Miami Gardens +
Rockford
20.6%
Spanish at Home
Miami Gardens
N/A
Rockford
N/A
| Metric | Miami Gardens, FL | Rockford, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 11,627 | 147,649 | Rockford + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 37.7 | 37.5 | Rockford + |
| Foreign Born | 29.1% | 12.3% | Miami Gardens + |
| White | 52.5% | 55.5% | Rockford + |
| Black | 15.3% | 21.8% | Rockford + |
| Asian | 3.5% | 3.7% | Rockford + |
| Hispanic | 34.0% | 20.6% | Miami Gardens + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Miami Gardens
$137,873
Miami Gardens +
Rockford
$53,328
Per Capita Income
Miami Gardens
$57,003
Miami Gardens +
Rockford
$30,409
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Miami Gardens
$65,328
Rockford
$68,110
Rockford +
Unemployment Rate
Miami Gardens
6.5%
Miami Gardens +
Rockford
8.6%
Poverty Rate
Miami Gardens
7.9%
Miami Gardens +
Rockford
21.9%
Bachelor's Degree+
Miami Gardens
64.7%
Miami Gardens +
Rockford
23.2%
| Metric | Miami Gardens, FL | Rockford, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $137,873 | $53,328 | Miami Gardens + |
| Per Capita Income | $57,003 | $30,409 | Miami Gardens + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $65,328 | $68,110 | Rockford + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.5% | 8.6% | Miami Gardens + |
| Poverty Rate | 7.9% | 21.9% | Miami Gardens + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 64.7% | 23.2% | Miami Gardens + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Miami Gardens
$472,888
Rockford
$180,220
Rockford +
Homeownership Rate
Miami Gardens
86.7%
Miami Gardens +
Rockford
53.8%
| Metric | Miami Gardens, FL | Rockford, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $472,888 | $180,220 | Rockford + |
| Homeownership Rate | 86.7% | 53.8% | Miami Gardens + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Miami Gardens
324
Miami Gardens +
Rockford
344
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Miami Gardens
1453
Miami Gardens +
Rockford
1842
| Metric | Miami Gardens, FL | Rockford, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 324 | 344 | Miami Gardens + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1453 | 1842 | Miami Gardens + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Miami Gardens
34.3%
Miami Gardens +
Rockford
44.7%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Miami Gardens
17.3%
Rockford
15.4%
Rockford +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Miami Gardens
17.5%
Miami Gardens +
Rockford
19.0%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Miami Gardens
22.4%
Rockford
14.0%
Rockford +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Miami Gardens
12.7%
Miami Gardens +
Rockford
15.5%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Miami Gardens
15.4%
Miami Gardens +
Rockford
18.1%
| Metric | Miami Gardens, FL | Rockford, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 34.3% | 44.7% | Miami Gardens + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 17.3% | 15.4% | Rockford + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.5% | 19.0% | Miami Gardens + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 22.4% | 14.0% | Rockford + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 12.7% | 15.5% | Miami Gardens + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 15.4% | 18.1% | Miami Gardens + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Miami Gardens
N/A
Rockford
49.2°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Miami Gardens
N/A
Rockford
36.2 in
| Metric | Miami Gardens, FL | Rockford, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 49.2°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 36.2 in | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Miami Gardens
7.2 µg/m³
Miami Gardens +
Rockford
9.4 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Miami Gardens
75.0%
Miami Gardens +
Rockford
55.0%
| Metric | Miami Gardens, FL | Rockford, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.2 µg/m³ | 9.4 µg/m³ | Miami Gardens + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Miami Gardens + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Miami Gardens
29.2 min
Rockford
22.7 min
Rockford +
| Metric | Miami Gardens, FL | Rockford, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 29.2 min | 22.7 min | Rockford + |
Which City is Right for You?
Miami Gardens leads in median household income at $137,873, while rockford offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $180,220. On public safety, Miami Gardens is safer with a violent crime rate of 324 per 100,000 residents, compared to 344 in Rockford. Miami Gardens has a lower unemployment rate at 6.5%, and Miami Gardens has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Miami Gardens scores better with a lower obesity rate of 34.3%.
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