Odessa 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)
Odessa, TX
Texas · Population: 114,080
- Median HH Income$73,030
- Median Home Price$253,423
- Unemployment5.5%
- Bachelor's+18.3%
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
Odessa
114,080
Rockford
147,649
Rockford +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Odessa
N/A
Rockford
N/A
Median Age
Odessa
31.0
Odessa +
Rockford
37.5
Foreign Born
Odessa
14.5%
Odessa +
Rockford
12.3%
White
Odessa
51.9%
Rockford
55.5%
Rockford +
Black
Odessa
6.8%
Rockford
21.8%
Rockford +
Asian
Odessa
1.9%
Rockford
3.7%
Rockford +
Hispanic
Odessa
61.2%
Odessa +
Rockford
20.6%
Spanish at Home
Odessa
N/A
Rockford
N/A
| Metric | Odessa, TX | Rockford, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 114,080 | 147,649 | Rockford + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 31.0 | 37.5 | Odessa + |
| Foreign Born | 14.5% | 12.3% | Odessa + |
| White | 51.9% | 55.5% | Rockford + |
| Black | 6.8% | 21.8% | Rockford + |
| Asian | 1.9% | 3.7% | Rockford + |
| Hispanic | 61.2% | 20.6% | Odessa + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Odessa
$73,030
Odessa +
Rockford
$53,328
Per Capita Income
Odessa
$35,655
Odessa +
Rockford
$30,409
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Odessa
$63,758
Rockford
$68,110
Rockford +
Unemployment Rate
Odessa
5.5%
Odessa +
Rockford
8.6%
Poverty Rate
Odessa
14.4%
Odessa +
Rockford
21.9%
Bachelor's Degree+
Odessa
18.3%
Rockford
23.2%
Rockford +
| Metric | Odessa, TX | Rockford, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $73,030 | $53,328 | Odessa + |
| Per Capita Income | $35,655 | $30,409 | Odessa + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $63,758 | $68,110 | Rockford + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.5% | 8.6% | Odessa + |
| Poverty Rate | 14.4% | 21.9% | Odessa + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 18.3% | 23.2% | Rockford + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Odessa
$253,423
Rockford
$180,220
Rockford +
Homeownership Rate
Odessa
59.2%
Odessa +
Rockford
53.8%
| Metric | Odessa, TX | Rockford, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $253,423 | $180,220 | Rockford + |
| Homeownership Rate | 59.2% | 53.8% | Odessa + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Odessa
442
Rockford
344
Rockford +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Odessa
2339
Rockford
1842
Rockford +
| Metric | Odessa, 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
Odessa
39.4%
Odessa +
Rockford
44.7%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Odessa
12.9%
Odessa +
Rockford
15.4%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Odessa
18.0%
Odessa +
Rockford
19.0%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Odessa
25.4%
Rockford
14.0%
Rockford +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Odessa
18.1%
Rockford
15.5%
Rockford +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Odessa
14.0%
Odessa +
Rockford
18.1%
| Metric | Odessa, TX | Rockford, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 39.4% | 44.7% | Odessa + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.9% | 15.4% | Odessa + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.0% | 19.0% | Odessa + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 25.4% | 14.0% | Rockford + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 18.1% | 15.5% | Rockford + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 14.0% | 18.1% | Odessa + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Odessa
65.6°F
Rockford
49.2°F
Rockford +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Odessa
13.5 in
Odessa +
Rockford
36.2 in
| Metric | Odessa, TX | Rockford, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 65.6°F | 49.2°F | Rockford + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 13.5 in | 36.2 in | Odessa + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Odessa
9.2 µg/m³
Odessa +
Rockford
9.4 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Odessa
55.0%
Rockford
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Odessa, TX | Rockford, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.2 µg/m³ | 9.4 µg/m³ | Odessa + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 55.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Odessa
23.7 min
Rockford
22.7 min
Rockford +
| Metric | Odessa, TX | Rockford, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 23.7 min | 22.7 min | Rockford + |
Which City is Right for You?
Odessa leads in median household income at $73,030, 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 Odessa. Odessa has a lower unemployment rate at 5.5%, and Odessa has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 9.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Odessa scores better with a lower obesity rate of 39.4%.
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