Newark NJ 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)
Newark, NJ
New Jersey · Population: 307,188
- Median HH Income$48,416
- Median Home Price$482,675
- Unemployment10.9%
- Bachelor's+17.4%
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
Newark
307,188
Newark +
Rockford
147,649
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Newark
N/A
Rockford
N/A
Median Age
Newark
34.8
Newark +
Rockford
37.5
Foreign Born
Newark
34.9%
Newark +
Rockford
12.3%
White
Newark
16.5%
Rockford
55.5%
Rockford +
Black
Newark
46.7%
Newark +
Rockford
21.8%
Asian
Newark
1.9%
Rockford
3.7%
Rockford +
Hispanic
Newark
37.2%
Newark +
Rockford
20.6%
Spanish at Home
Newark
N/A
Rockford
N/A
| Metric | Newark, NJ | Rockford, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 307,188 | 147,649 | Newark + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.8 | 37.5 | Newark + |
| Foreign Born | 34.9% | 12.3% | Newark + |
| White | 16.5% | 55.5% | Rockford + |
| Black | 46.7% | 21.8% | Newark + |
| Asian | 1.9% | 3.7% | Rockford + |
| Hispanic | 37.2% | 20.6% | Newark + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Newark
$48,416
Rockford
$53,328
Rockford +
Per Capita Income
Newark
$25,509
Rockford
$30,409
Rockford +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Newark
$77,416
Newark +
Rockford
$68,110
Unemployment Rate
Newark
10.9%
Rockford
8.6%
Rockford +
Poverty Rate
Newark
24.7%
Rockford
21.9%
Rockford +
Bachelor's Degree+
Newark
17.4%
Rockford
23.2%
Rockford +
| Metric | Newark, NJ | Rockford, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $48,416 | $53,328 | Rockford + |
| Per Capita Income | $25,509 | $30,409 | Rockford + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,416 | $68,110 | Newark + |
| Unemployment Rate | 10.9% | 8.6% | Rockford + |
| Poverty Rate | 24.7% | 21.9% | Rockford + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 17.4% | 23.2% | Rockford + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Newark
$482,675
Rockford
$180,220
Rockford +
Homeownership Rate
Newark
24.1%
Rockford
53.8%
Rockford +
| Metric | Newark, NJ | Rockford, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $482,675 | $180,220 | Rockford + |
| Homeownership Rate | 24.1% | 53.8% | Rockford + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Newark
218
Newark +
Rockford
344
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Newark
1426
Newark +
Rockford
1842
| Metric | Newark, NJ | Rockford, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 218 | 344 | Newark + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1426 | 1842 | Newark + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Newark
35.9%
Newark +
Rockford
44.7%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Newark
14.6%
Newark +
Rockford
15.4%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Newark
20.0%
Rockford
19.0%
Rockford +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Newark
23.4%
Rockford
14.0%
Rockford +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Newark
14.3%
Newark +
Rockford
15.5%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Newark
18.2%
Rockford
18.1%
Rockford +
| Metric | Newark, NJ | Rockford, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 35.9% | 44.7% | Newark + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 14.6% | 15.4% | Newark + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 20.0% | 19.0% | Rockford + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 23.4% | 14.0% | Rockford + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.3% | 15.5% | Newark + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 18.2% | 18.1% | Rockford + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Newark
54.9°F
Rockford
49.2°F
Rockford +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Newark
46.3 in
Rockford
36.2 in
Rockford +
| Metric | Newark, NJ | Rockford, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 54.9°F | 49.2°F | Rockford + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 46.3 in | 36.2 in | Rockford + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Newark
8.7 µg/m³
Newark +
Rockford
9.4 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Newark
75.0%
Newark +
Rockford
55.0%
| Metric | Newark, NJ | Rockford, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.7 µg/m³ | 9.4 µg/m³ | Newark + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Newark + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Newark
35.9 min
Rockford
22.7 min
Rockford +
| Metric | Newark, NJ | Rockford, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 35.9 min | 22.7 min | Rockford + |
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, Newark is safer with a violent crime rate of 218 per 100,000 residents, compared to 344 in Rockford. Rockford has a lower unemployment rate at 8.6%, and Newark has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.7 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Newark scores better with a lower obesity rate of 35.9%.
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