New Haven CT 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 Haven, CT
Connecticut · Population: 132,893
- Median HH Income$53,771
- Median Home Price$330,564
- Unemployment7.7%
- Bachelor's+37.7%
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
New Haven
132,893
Rockford
147,649
Rockford +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
New Haven
N/A
Rockford
N/A
Median Age
New Haven
31.9
New Haven +
Rockford
37.5
Foreign Born
New Haven
17.7%
New Haven +
Rockford
12.3%
White
New Haven
36.8%
Rockford
55.5%
Rockford +
Black
New Haven
30.6%
New Haven +
Rockford
21.8%
Asian
New Haven
5.2%
New Haven +
Rockford
3.7%
Hispanic
New Haven
31.2%
New Haven +
Rockford
20.6%
Spanish at Home
New Haven
N/A
Rockford
N/A
| Metric | New Haven, CT | Rockford, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 132,893 | 147,649 | Rockford + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 31.9 | 37.5 | New Haven + |
| Foreign Born | 17.7% | 12.3% | New Haven + |
| White | 36.8% | 55.5% | Rockford + |
| Black | 30.6% | 21.8% | New Haven + |
| Asian | 5.2% | 3.7% | New Haven + |
| Hispanic | 31.2% | 20.6% | New Haven + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
New Haven
$53,771
New Haven +
Rockford
$53,328
Per Capita Income
New Haven
$34,482
New Haven +
Rockford
$30,409
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
New Haven
$85,393
New Haven +
Rockford
$68,110
Unemployment Rate
New Haven
7.7%
New Haven +
Rockford
8.6%
Poverty Rate
New Haven
25.0%
Rockford
21.9%
Rockford +
Bachelor's Degree+
New Haven
37.7%
New Haven +
Rockford
23.2%
| Metric | New Haven, CT | Rockford, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $53,771 | $53,328 | New Haven + |
| Per Capita Income | $34,482 | $30,409 | New Haven + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $85,393 | $68,110 | New Haven + |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.7% | 8.6% | New Haven + |
| Poverty Rate | 25.0% | 21.9% | Rockford + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 37.7% | 23.2% | New Haven + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
New Haven
$330,564
Rockford
$180,220
Rockford +
Homeownership Rate
New Haven
28.4%
Rockford
53.8%
Rockford +
| Metric | New Haven, CT | Rockford, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $330,564 | $180,220 | Rockford + |
| Homeownership Rate | 28.4% | 53.8% | Rockford + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
New Haven
156
New Haven +
Rockford
344
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
New Haven
1524
New Haven +
Rockford
1842
| Metric | New Haven, CT | Rockford, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 156 | 344 | New Haven + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1524 | 1842 | New Haven + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
New Haven
37.9%
New Haven +
Rockford
44.7%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
New Haven
11.7%
New Haven +
Rockford
15.4%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
New Haven
18.9%
New Haven +
Rockford
19.0%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
New Haven
14.7%
Rockford
14.0%
Rockford +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
New Haven
14.2%
New Haven +
Rockford
15.5%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
New Haven
13.2%
New Haven +
Rockford
18.1%
| Metric | New Haven, CT | Rockford, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 37.9% | 44.7% | New Haven + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.7% | 15.4% | New Haven + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.9% | 19.0% | New Haven + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 14.7% | 14.0% | Rockford + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.2% | 15.5% | New Haven + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 13.2% | 18.1% | New Haven + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
New Haven
52.2°F
Rockford
49.2°F
Rockford +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
New Haven
47.1 in
Rockford
36.2 in
Rockford +
| Metric | New Haven, CT | Rockford, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 52.2°F | 49.2°F | Rockford + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 47.1 in | 36.2 in | Rockford + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
New Haven
7.7 µg/m³
New Haven +
Rockford
9.4 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
New Haven
75.0%
New Haven +
Rockford
55.0%
| Metric | New Haven, CT | Rockford, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.7 µg/m³ | 9.4 µg/m³ | New Haven + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | New Haven + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
New Haven
23.0 min
Rockford
22.7 min
Rockford +
| Metric | New Haven, CT | Rockford, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 23.0 min | 22.7 min | Rockford + |
Which City is Right for You?
New Haven leads in median household income at $53,771, while rockford offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $180,220. On public safety, New Haven is safer with a violent crime rate of 156 per 100,000 residents, compared to 344 in Rockford. New Haven has a lower unemployment rate at 7.7%, and New Haven has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.7 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, New Haven scores better with a lower obesity rate of 37.9%.
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