Ontario 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)
Ontario, CA
California · Population: 138,723
- Median HH Income$116,945
- Median Home Price$671,948
- Unemployment4.7%
- Bachelor's+40.1%
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
Ontario
138,723
Rockford
147,649
Rockford +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Ontario
N/A
Rockford
N/A
Median Age
Ontario
36.9
Ontario +
Rockford
37.5
Foreign Born
Ontario
21.0%
Ontario +
Rockford
12.3%
White
Ontario
53.6%
Rockford
55.5%
Rockford +
Black
Ontario
1.6%
Rockford
21.8%
Rockford +
Asian
Ontario
13.1%
Ontario +
Rockford
3.7%
Hispanic
Ontario
40.0%
Ontario +
Rockford
20.6%
Spanish at Home
Ontario
N/A
Rockford
N/A
| Metric | Ontario, CA | Rockford, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 138,723 | 147,649 | Rockford + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.9 | 37.5 | Ontario + |
| Foreign Born | 21.0% | 12.3% | Ontario + |
| White | 53.6% | 55.5% | Rockford + |
| Black | 1.6% | 21.8% | Rockford + |
| Asian | 13.1% | 3.7% | Ontario + |
| Hispanic | 40.0% | 20.6% | Ontario + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Ontario
$116,945
Ontario +
Rockford
$53,328
Per Capita Income
Ontario
$50,759
Ontario +
Rockford
$30,409
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Ontario
$77,230
Ontario +
Rockford
$68,110
Unemployment Rate
Ontario
4.7%
Ontario +
Rockford
8.6%
Poverty Rate
Ontario
9.2%
Ontario +
Rockford
21.9%
Bachelor's Degree+
Ontario
40.1%
Ontario +
Rockford
23.2%
| Metric | Ontario, CA | Rockford, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $116,945 | $53,328 | Ontario + |
| Per Capita Income | $50,759 | $30,409 | Ontario + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,230 | $68,110 | Ontario + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.7% | 8.6% | Ontario + |
| Poverty Rate | 9.2% | 21.9% | Ontario + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 40.1% | 23.2% | Ontario + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Ontario
$671,948
Rockford
$180,220
Rockford +
Homeownership Rate
Ontario
58.1%
Ontario +
Rockford
53.8%
| Metric | Ontario, CA | Rockford, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $671,948 | $180,220 | Rockford + |
| Homeownership Rate | 58.1% | 53.8% | Ontario + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Ontario
503
Rockford
344
Rockford +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Ontario
2388
Rockford
1842
Rockford +
| Metric | Ontario, 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
Ontario
33.6%
Ontario +
Rockford
44.7%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Ontario
12.0%
Ontario +
Rockford
15.4%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Ontario
17.8%
Ontario +
Rockford
19.0%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Ontario
17.0%
Rockford
14.0%
Rockford +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Ontario
15.7%
Rockford
15.5%
Rockford +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Ontario
12.0%
Ontario +
Rockford
18.1%
| Metric | Ontario, CA | Rockford, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 33.6% | 44.7% | Ontario + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.0% | 15.4% | Ontario + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.8% | 19.0% | Ontario + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 17.0% | 14.0% | Rockford + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.7% | 15.5% | Rockford + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.0% | 18.1% | Ontario + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Ontario
65.5°F
Rockford
49.2°F
Rockford +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Ontario
15.0 in
Ontario +
Rockford
36.2 in
| Metric | Ontario, CA | Rockford, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 65.5°F | 49.2°F | Rockford + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 15.0 in | 36.2 in | Ontario + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Ontario
7.9 µg/m³
Ontario +
Rockford
9.4 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Ontario
75.0%
Ontario +
Rockford
55.0%
| Metric | Ontario, CA | Rockford, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.9 µg/m³ | 9.4 µg/m³ | Ontario + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Ontario + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Ontario
28.2 min
Rockford
22.7 min
Rockford +
| Metric | Ontario, CA | Rockford, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 28.2 min | 22.7 min | Rockford + |
Which City is Right for You?
Ontario leads in median household income at $116,945, 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 Ontario. Ontario has a lower unemployment rate at 4.7%, and Ontario has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Ontario scores better with a lower obesity rate of 33.6%.
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