New Rochelle NY 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 Rochelle, NY
New York · Population: 48,198
- Median HH Income$48,535
- Median Home Price$920,484
- Unemployment9.7%
- Bachelor's+22.8%
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 Rochelle
48,198
Rockford
147,649
Rockford +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
New Rochelle
N/A
Rockford
N/A
Median Age
New Rochelle
40.7
Rockford
37.5
Rockford +
Foreign Born
New Rochelle
4.6%
Rockford
12.3%
Rockford +
White
New Rochelle
66.1%
New Rochelle +
Rockford
55.5%
Black
New Rochelle
17.8%
Rockford
21.8%
Rockford +
Asian
New Rochelle
2.3%
Rockford
3.7%
Rockford +
Hispanic
New Rochelle
8.0%
Rockford
20.6%
Rockford +
Spanish at Home
New Rochelle
N/A
Rockford
N/A
| Metric | New Rochelle, NY | Rockford, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 48,198 | 147,649 | Rockford + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 40.7 | 37.5 | Rockford + |
| Foreign Born | 4.6% | 12.3% | Rockford + |
| White | 66.1% | 55.5% | New Rochelle + |
| Black | 17.8% | 21.8% | Rockford + |
| Asian | 2.3% | 3.7% | Rockford + |
| Hispanic | 8.0% | 20.6% | Rockford + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
New Rochelle
$48,535
Rockford
$53,328
Rockford +
Per Capita Income
New Rochelle
$30,033
Rockford
$30,409
Rockford +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
New Rochelle
$77,425
New Rochelle +
Rockford
$68,110
Unemployment Rate
New Rochelle
9.7%
Rockford
8.6%
Rockford +
Poverty Rate
New Rochelle
23.7%
Rockford
21.9%
Rockford +
Bachelor's Degree+
New Rochelle
22.8%
Rockford
23.2%
Rockford +
| Metric | New Rochelle, NY | Rockford, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $48,535 | $53,328 | Rockford + |
| Per Capita Income | $30,033 | $30,409 | Rockford + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,425 | $68,110 | New Rochelle + |
| Unemployment Rate | 9.7% | 8.6% | Rockford + |
| Poverty Rate | 23.7% | 21.9% | Rockford + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 22.8% | 23.2% | Rockford + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
New Rochelle
$920,484
Rockford
$180,220
Rockford +
Homeownership Rate
New Rochelle
57.5%
New Rochelle +
Rockford
53.8%
| Metric | New Rochelle, NY | Rockford, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $920,484 | $180,220 | Rockford + |
| Homeownership Rate | 57.5% | 53.8% | New Rochelle + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
New Rochelle
434
Rockford
344
Rockford +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
New Rochelle
1736
New Rochelle +
Rockford
1842
| Metric | New Rochelle, NY | Rockford, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 434 | 344 | Rockford + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1736 | 1842 | New Rochelle + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
New Rochelle
26.6%
New Rochelle +
Rockford
44.7%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
New Rochelle
10.6%
New Rochelle +
Rockford
15.4%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
New Rochelle
13.8%
New Rochelle +
Rockford
19.0%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
New Rochelle
9.5%
New Rochelle +
Rockford
14.0%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
New Rochelle
14.9%
New Rochelle +
Rockford
15.5%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
New Rochelle
9.3%
New Rochelle +
Rockford
18.1%
| Metric | New Rochelle, NY | Rockford, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 26.6% | 44.7% | New Rochelle + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 10.6% | 15.4% | New Rochelle + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 13.8% | 19.0% | New Rochelle + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.5% | 14.0% | New Rochelle + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.9% | 15.5% | New Rochelle + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 9.3% | 18.1% | New Rochelle + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
New Rochelle
N/A
Rockford
49.2°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
New Rochelle
N/A
Rockford
36.2 in
| Metric | New Rochelle, NY | 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.)
New Rochelle
8.1 µg/m³
New Rochelle +
Rockford
9.4 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
New Rochelle
75.0%
New Rochelle +
Rockford
55.0%
| Metric | New Rochelle, NY | Rockford, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.1 µg/m³ | 9.4 µg/m³ | New Rochelle + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | New Rochelle + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
New Rochelle
20.0 min
New Rochelle +
Rockford
22.7 min
| Metric | New Rochelle, NY | Rockford, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 20.0 min | 22.7 min | New Rochelle + |
Which City is Right for You?
Rockford leads in median household income at $53,328, 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 434 in New Rochelle. Rockford has a lower unemployment rate at 8.6%, and New Rochelle has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.1 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, New Rochelle scores better with a lower obesity rate of 26.6%.
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