Overland Park KS 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)
Overland Park, KS
Kansas · Population: 143,720
- Median HH Income$112,232
- Median Home Price$487,466
- Unemployment2.8%
- Bachelor's+49.4%
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
Overland Park
143,720
Rockford
147,649
Rockford +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Overland Park
N/A
Rockford
N/A
Median Age
Overland Park
36.6
Overland Park +
Rockford
37.5
Foreign Born
Overland Park
10.7%
Rockford
12.3%
Rockford +
White
Overland Park
78.6%
Overland Park +
Rockford
55.5%
Black
Overland Park
4.9%
Rockford
21.8%
Rockford +
Asian
Overland Park
4.2%
Overland Park +
Rockford
3.7%
Hispanic
Overland Park
12.6%
Rockford
20.6%
Rockford +
Spanish at Home
Overland Park
N/A
Rockford
N/A
| Metric | Overland Park, KS | Rockford, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 143,720 | 147,649 | Rockford + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.6 | 37.5 | Overland Park + |
| Foreign Born | 10.7% | 12.3% | Rockford + |
| White | 78.6% | 55.5% | Overland Park + |
| Black | 4.9% | 21.8% | Rockford + |
| Asian | 4.2% | 3.7% | Overland Park + |
| Hispanic | 12.6% | 20.6% | Rockford + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Overland Park
$112,232
Overland Park +
Rockford
$53,328
Per Capita Income
Overland Park
$48,655
Overland Park +
Rockford
$30,409
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Overland Park
$61,860
Rockford
$68,110
Rockford +
Unemployment Rate
Overland Park
2.8%
Overland Park +
Rockford
8.6%
Poverty Rate
Overland Park
5.6%
Overland Park +
Rockford
21.9%
Bachelor's Degree+
Overland Park
49.4%
Overland Park +
Rockford
23.2%
| Metric | Overland Park, KS | Rockford, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $112,232 | $53,328 | Overland Park + |
| Per Capita Income | $48,655 | $30,409 | Overland Park + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $61,860 | $68,110 | Rockford + |
| Unemployment Rate | 2.8% | 8.6% | Overland Park + |
| Poverty Rate | 5.6% | 21.9% | Overland Park + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 49.4% | 23.2% | Overland Park + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Overland Park
$487,466
Rockford
$180,220
Rockford +
Homeownership Rate
Overland Park
73.7%
Overland Park +
Rockford
53.8%
| Metric | Overland Park, KS | Rockford, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $487,466 | $180,220 | Rockford + |
| Homeownership Rate | 73.7% | 53.8% | Overland Park + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Overland Park
449
Rockford
344
Rockford +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Overland Park
2174
Rockford
1842
Rockford +
| Metric | Overland Park, KS | Rockford, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 449 | 344 | Rockford + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2174 | 1842 | Rockford + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Overland Park
30.0%
Overland Park +
Rockford
44.7%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Overland Park
9.2%
Overland Park +
Rockford
15.4%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Overland Park
12.8%
Overland Park +
Rockford
19.0%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Overland Park
6.2%
Overland Park +
Rockford
14.0%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Overland Park
16.9%
Rockford
15.5%
Rockford +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Overland Park
9.0%
Overland Park +
Rockford
18.1%
| Metric | Overland Park, KS | Rockford, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 30.0% | 44.7% | Overland Park + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 9.2% | 15.4% | Overland Park + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 12.8% | 19.0% | Overland Park + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 6.2% | 14.0% | Overland Park + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.9% | 15.5% | Rockford + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 9.0% | 18.1% | Overland Park + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Overland Park
N/A
Rockford
49.2°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Overland Park
N/A
Rockford
36.2 in
| Metric | Overland Park, KS | 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.)
Overland Park
8.2 µg/m³
Overland Park +
Rockford
9.4 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Overland Park
75.0%
Overland Park +
Rockford
55.0%
| Metric | Overland Park, KS | Rockford, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.2 µg/m³ | 9.4 µg/m³ | Overland Park + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Overland Park + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Overland Park
22.4 min
Overland Park +
Rockford
22.7 min
| Metric | Overland Park, KS | Rockford, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 22.4 min | 22.7 min | Overland Park + |
Which City is Right for You?
Overland Park leads in median household income at $112,232, 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 449 in Overland Park. Overland Park has a lower unemployment rate at 2.8%, and Overland Park has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Overland Park scores better with a lower obesity rate of 30.0%.
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