Oceanside CA 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)
Oceanside, CA
California · Population: 172,542
- Median HH Income$93,724
- Median Home Price$877,452
- Unemployment5.4%
- Bachelor's+34.3%
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
Oceanside
172,542
Oceanside +
Rockford
147,649
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Oceanside
N/A
Rockford
N/A
Median Age
Oceanside
38.1
Rockford
37.5
Rockford +
Foreign Born
Oceanside
20.9%
Oceanside +
Rockford
12.3%
White
Oceanside
52.9%
Rockford
55.5%
Rockford +
Black
Oceanside
4.2%
Rockford
21.8%
Rockford +
Asian
Oceanside
7.4%
Oceanside +
Rockford
3.7%
Hispanic
Oceanside
38.5%
Oceanside +
Rockford
20.6%
Spanish at Home
Oceanside
N/A
Rockford
N/A
| Metric | Oceanside, CA | Rockford, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 172,542 | 147,649 | Oceanside + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 38.1 | 37.5 | Rockford + |
| Foreign Born | 20.9% | 12.3% | Oceanside + |
| White | 52.9% | 55.5% | Rockford + |
| Black | 4.2% | 21.8% | Rockford + |
| Asian | 7.4% | 3.7% | Oceanside + |
| Hispanic | 38.5% | 20.6% | Oceanside + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Oceanside
$93,724
Oceanside +
Rockford
$53,328
Per Capita Income
Oceanside
$43,094
Oceanside +
Rockford
$30,409
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Oceanside
$77,230
Oceanside +
Rockford
$68,110
Unemployment Rate
Oceanside
5.4%
Oceanside +
Rockford
8.6%
Poverty Rate
Oceanside
8.1%
Oceanside +
Rockford
21.9%
Bachelor's Degree+
Oceanside
34.3%
Oceanside +
Rockford
23.2%
| Metric | Oceanside, CA | Rockford, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $93,724 | $53,328 | Oceanside + |
| Per Capita Income | $43,094 | $30,409 | Oceanside + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,230 | $68,110 | Oceanside + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.4% | 8.6% | Oceanside + |
| Poverty Rate | 8.1% | 21.9% | Oceanside + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 34.3% | 23.2% | Oceanside + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Oceanside
$877,452
Rockford
$180,220
Rockford +
Homeownership Rate
Oceanside
58.5%
Oceanside +
Rockford
53.8%
| Metric | Oceanside, CA | Rockford, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $877,452 | $180,220 | Rockford + |
| Homeownership Rate | 58.5% | 53.8% | Oceanside + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Oceanside
503
Rockford
344
Rockford +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Oceanside
2388
Rockford
1842
Rockford +
| Metric | Oceanside, CA | Rockford, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 503 | 344 | Rockford + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2388 | 1842 | Rockford + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Oceanside
26.1%
Oceanside +
Rockford
44.7%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Oceanside
10.4%
Oceanside +
Rockford
15.4%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Oceanside
16.9%
Oceanside +
Rockford
19.0%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Oceanside
9.7%
Oceanside +
Rockford
14.0%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Oceanside
16.5%
Rockford
15.5%
Rockford +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Oceanside
10.6%
Oceanside +
Rockford
18.1%
| Metric | Oceanside, CA | Rockford, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 26.1% | 44.7% | Oceanside + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 10.4% | 15.4% | Oceanside + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.9% | 19.0% | Oceanside + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.7% | 14.0% | Oceanside + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.5% | 15.5% | Rockford + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 10.6% | 18.1% | Oceanside + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Oceanside
55.3°F
Rockford
49.2°F
Rockford +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Oceanside
20.7 in
Oceanside +
Rockford
36.2 in
| Metric | Oceanside, CA | Rockford, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 55.3°F | 49.2°F | Rockford + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 20.7 in | 36.2 in | Oceanside + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Oceanside
7.9 µg/m³
Oceanside +
Rockford
9.4 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Oceanside
75.0%
Oceanside +
Rockford
55.0%
| Metric | Oceanside, CA | Rockford, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.9 µg/m³ | 9.4 µg/m³ | Oceanside + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Oceanside + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Oceanside
31.8 min
Rockford
22.7 min
Rockford +
| Metric | Oceanside, CA | Rockford, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 31.8 min | 22.7 min | Rockford + |
Which City is Right for You?
Oceanside leads in median household income at $93,724, 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 503 in Oceanside. Oceanside has a lower unemployment rate at 5.4%, and Oceanside has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Oceanside scores better with a lower obesity rate of 26.1%.
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