Palm Bay FL 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)
Palm Bay, FL
Florida · Population: 125,273
- Median HH Income$67,521
- Median Home Price$304,173
- Unemployment5.9%
- Bachelor's+22.6%
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
Palm Bay
125,273
Rockford
147,649
Rockford +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Palm Bay
N/A
Rockford
N/A
Median Age
Palm Bay
41.3
Rockford
37.5
Rockford +
Foreign Born
Palm Bay
15.1%
Palm Bay +
Rockford
12.3%
White
Palm Bay
59.2%
Palm Bay +
Rockford
55.5%
Black
Palm Bay
19.3%
Rockford
21.8%
Rockford +
Asian
Palm Bay
2.1%
Rockford
3.7%
Rockford +
Hispanic
Palm Bay
19.7%
Rockford
20.6%
Rockford +
Spanish at Home
Palm Bay
N/A
Rockford
N/A
| Metric | Palm Bay, FL | Rockford, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 125,273 | 147,649 | Rockford + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 41.3 | 37.5 | Rockford + |
| Foreign Born | 15.1% | 12.3% | Palm Bay + |
| White | 59.2% | 55.5% | Palm Bay + |
| Black | 19.3% | 21.8% | Rockford + |
| Asian | 2.1% | 3.7% | Rockford + |
| Hispanic | 19.7% | 20.6% | Rockford + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Palm Bay
$67,521
Palm Bay +
Rockford
$53,328
Per Capita Income
Palm Bay
$34,474
Palm Bay +
Rockford
$30,409
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Palm Bay
$65,328
Rockford
$68,110
Rockford +
Unemployment Rate
Palm Bay
5.9%
Palm Bay +
Rockford
8.6%
Poverty Rate
Palm Bay
11.6%
Palm Bay +
Rockford
21.9%
Bachelor's Degree+
Palm Bay
22.6%
Rockford
23.2%
Rockford +
| Metric | Palm Bay, FL | Rockford, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $67,521 | $53,328 | Palm Bay + |
| Per Capita Income | $34,474 | $30,409 | Palm Bay + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $65,328 | $68,110 | Rockford + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.9% | 8.6% | Palm Bay + |
| Poverty Rate | 11.6% | 21.9% | Palm Bay + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 22.6% | 23.2% | Rockford + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Palm Bay
$304,173
Rockford
$180,220
Rockford +
Homeownership Rate
Palm Bay
79.3%
Palm Bay +
Rockford
53.8%
| Metric | Palm Bay, FL | Rockford, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $304,173 | $180,220 | Rockford + |
| Homeownership Rate | 79.3% | 53.8% | Palm Bay + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Palm Bay
324
Palm Bay +
Rockford
344
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Palm Bay
1453
Palm Bay +
Rockford
1842
| Metric | Palm Bay, FL | Rockford, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 324 | 344 | Palm Bay + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1453 | 1842 | Palm Bay + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Palm Bay
36.5%
Palm Bay +
Rockford
44.7%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Palm Bay
14.0%
Palm Bay +
Rockford
15.4%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Palm Bay
17.6%
Palm Bay +
Rockford
19.0%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Palm Bay
14.2%
Rockford
14.0%
Rockford +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Palm Bay
14.4%
Palm Bay +
Rockford
15.5%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Palm Bay
14.5%
Palm Bay +
Rockford
18.1%
| Metric | Palm Bay, FL | Rockford, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 36.5% | 44.7% | Palm Bay + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 14.0% | 15.4% | Palm Bay + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.6% | 19.0% | Palm Bay + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 14.2% | 14.0% | Rockford + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.4% | 15.5% | Palm Bay + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 14.5% | 18.1% | Palm Bay + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Palm Bay
N/A
Rockford
49.2°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Palm Bay
N/A
Rockford
36.2 in
| Metric | Palm Bay, FL | 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.)
Palm Bay
7.2 µg/m³
Palm Bay +
Rockford
9.4 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Palm Bay
75.0%
Palm Bay +
Rockford
55.0%
| Metric | Palm Bay, FL | Rockford, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.2 µg/m³ | 9.4 µg/m³ | Palm Bay + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Palm Bay + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Palm Bay
29.6 min
Rockford
22.7 min
Rockford +
| Metric | Palm Bay, FL | Rockford, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 29.6 min | 22.7 min | Rockford + |
Which City is Right for You?
Palm Bay leads in median household income at $67,521, while rockford offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $180,220. On public safety, Palm Bay is safer with a violent crime rate of 324 per 100,000 residents, compared to 344 in Rockford. Palm Bay has a lower unemployment rate at 5.9%, and Palm Bay has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Palm Bay scores better with a lower obesity rate of 36.5%.
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