New Braunfels 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)
New Braunfels, TX
Texas · Population: 267
- Median HH Income$74,643
- Median Home Price$352,129
- UnemploymentN/A
- Bachelor's+1.8%
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
New Braunfels
267
Rockford
147,649
Rockford +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
New Braunfels
N/A
Rockford
N/A
Median Age
New Braunfels
39.4
Rockford
37.5
Rockford +
Foreign Born
New Braunfels
8.2%
Rockford
12.3%
Rockford +
White
New Braunfels
84.3%
New Braunfels +
Rockford
55.5%
Black
New Braunfels
0.0%
Rockford
21.8%
Rockford +
Asian
New Braunfels
0.0%
Rockford
3.7%
Rockford +
Hispanic
New Braunfels
15.7%
Rockford
20.6%
Rockford +
Spanish at Home
New Braunfels
N/A
Rockford
N/A
| Metric | New Braunfels, TX | Rockford, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 267 | 147,649 | Rockford + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 39.4 | 37.5 | Rockford + |
| Foreign Born | 8.2% | 12.3% | Rockford + |
| White | 84.3% | 55.5% | New Braunfels + |
| Black | 0.0% | 21.8% | Rockford + |
| Asian | 0.0% | 3.7% | Rockford + |
| Hispanic | 15.7% | 20.6% | Rockford + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
New Braunfels
$74,643
New Braunfels +
Rockford
$53,328
Per Capita Income
New Braunfels
$21,360
Rockford
$30,409
Rockford +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
New Braunfels
$63,758
Rockford
$68,110
Rockford +
Unemployment Rate
New Braunfels
N/A
Rockford
8.6%
Poverty Rate
New Braunfels
N/A
Rockford
21.9%
Bachelor's Degree+
New Braunfels
1.8%
Rockford
23.2%
Rockford +
| Metric | New Braunfels, TX | Rockford, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $74,643 | $53,328 | New Braunfels + |
| Per Capita Income | $21,360 | $30,409 | Rockford + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $63,758 | $68,110 | Rockford + |
| Unemployment Rate | N/A | 8.6% | - |
| Poverty Rate | N/A | 21.9% | - |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 1.8% | 23.2% | Rockford + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
New Braunfels
$352,129
Rockford
$180,220
Rockford +
Homeownership Rate
New Braunfels
90.8%
New Braunfels +
Rockford
53.8%
| Metric | New Braunfels, TX | Rockford, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $352,129 | $180,220 | Rockford + |
| Homeownership Rate | 90.8% | 53.8% | New Braunfels + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
New Braunfels
442
Rockford
344
Rockford +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
New Braunfels
2339
Rockford
1842
Rockford +
| Metric | New Braunfels, 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
New Braunfels
34.6%
New Braunfels +
Rockford
44.7%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
New Braunfels
10.6%
New Braunfels +
Rockford
15.4%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
New Braunfels
16.0%
New Braunfels +
Rockford
19.0%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
New Braunfels
15.2%
Rockford
14.0%
Rockford +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
New Braunfels
19.1%
Rockford
15.5%
Rockford +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
New Braunfels
11.0%
New Braunfels +
Rockford
18.1%
| Metric | New Braunfels, TX | Rockford, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 34.6% | 44.7% | New Braunfels + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 10.6% | 15.4% | New Braunfels + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.0% | 19.0% | New Braunfels + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 15.2% | 14.0% | Rockford + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 19.1% | 15.5% | Rockford + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 11.0% | 18.1% | New Braunfels + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
New Braunfels
67.4°F
Rockford
49.2°F
Rockford +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
New Braunfels
34.0 in
New Braunfels +
Rockford
36.2 in
| Metric | New Braunfels, TX | Rockford, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 67.4°F | 49.2°F | Rockford + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 34.0 in | 36.2 in | New Braunfels + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
New Braunfels
9.2 µg/m³
New Braunfels +
Rockford
9.4 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
New Braunfels
55.0%
Rockford
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | New Braunfels, TX | Rockford, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.2 µg/m³ | 9.4 µg/m³ | New Braunfels + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 55.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
New Braunfels
19.6 min
New Braunfels +
Rockford
22.7 min
| Metric | New Braunfels, TX | Rockford, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 19.6 min | 22.7 min | New Braunfels + |
Which City is Right for You?
New Braunfels leads in median household income at $74,643, 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 New Braunfels. New Braunfels has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 9.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, New Braunfels scores better with a lower obesity rate of 34.6%.
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