Palmdale 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)
Palmdale, CA
California · Population: 44,998
- Median HH Income$71,979
- Median Home Price$503,393
- Unemployment8.2%
- Bachelor's+45.1%
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
Palmdale
44,998
Rockford
147,649
Rockford +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Palmdale
N/A
Rockford
N/A
Median Age
Palmdale
57.8
Rockford
37.5
Rockford +
Foreign Born
Palmdale
17.2%
Palmdale +
Rockford
12.3%
White
Palmdale
69.3%
Palmdale +
Rockford
55.5%
Black
Palmdale
5.4%
Rockford
21.8%
Rockford +
Asian
Palmdale
4.5%
Palmdale +
Rockford
3.7%
Hispanic
Palmdale
24.3%
Palmdale +
Rockford
20.6%
Spanish at Home
Palmdale
N/A
Rockford
N/A
| Metric | Palmdale, CA | Rockford, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 44,998 | 147,649 | Rockford + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 57.8 | 37.5 | Rockford + |
| Foreign Born | 17.2% | 12.3% | Palmdale + |
| White | 69.3% | 55.5% | Palmdale + |
| Black | 5.4% | 21.8% | Rockford + |
| Asian | 4.5% | 3.7% | Palmdale + |
| Hispanic | 24.3% | 20.6% | Palmdale + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Palmdale
$71,979
Palmdale +
Rockford
$53,328
Per Capita Income
Palmdale
$64,811
Palmdale +
Rockford
$30,409
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Palmdale
$77,230
Palmdale +
Rockford
$68,110
Unemployment Rate
Palmdale
8.2%
Palmdale +
Rockford
8.6%
Poverty Rate
Palmdale
13.7%
Palmdale +
Rockford
21.9%
Bachelor's Degree+
Palmdale
45.1%
Palmdale +
Rockford
23.2%
| Metric | Palmdale, CA | Rockford, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $71,979 | $53,328 | Palmdale + |
| Per Capita Income | $64,811 | $30,409 | Palmdale + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,230 | $68,110 | Palmdale + |
| Unemployment Rate | 8.2% | 8.6% | Palmdale + |
| Poverty Rate | 13.7% | 21.9% | Palmdale + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 45.1% | 23.2% | Palmdale + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Palmdale
$503,393
Rockford
$180,220
Rockford +
Homeownership Rate
Palmdale
65.0%
Palmdale +
Rockford
53.8%
| Metric | Palmdale, CA | Rockford, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $503,393 | $180,220 | Rockford + |
| Homeownership Rate | 65.0% | 53.8% | Palmdale + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Palmdale
503
Rockford
344
Rockford +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Palmdale
2388
Rockford
1842
Rockford +
| Metric | Palmdale, 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
Palmdale
30.3%
Palmdale +
Rockford
44.7%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Palmdale
12.8%
Palmdale +
Rockford
15.4%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Palmdale
18.6%
Palmdale +
Rockford
19.0%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Palmdale
15.7%
Rockford
14.0%
Rockford +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Palmdale
15.8%
Rockford
15.5%
Rockford +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Palmdale
13.1%
Palmdale +
Rockford
18.1%
| Metric | Palmdale, CA | Rockford, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 30.3% | 44.7% | Palmdale + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.8% | 15.4% | Palmdale + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.6% | 19.0% | Palmdale + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 15.7% | 14.0% | Rockford + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.8% | 15.5% | Rockford + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 13.1% | 18.1% | Palmdale + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Palmdale
63.5°F
Rockford
49.2°F
Rockford +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Palmdale
7.4 in
Palmdale +
Rockford
36.2 in
| Metric | Palmdale, CA | Rockford, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 63.5°F | 49.2°F | Rockford + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 7.4 in | 36.2 in | Palmdale + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Palmdale
7.9 µg/m³
Palmdale +
Rockford
9.4 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Palmdale
75.0%
Palmdale +
Rockford
55.0%
| Metric | Palmdale, CA | Rockford, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.9 µg/m³ | 9.4 µg/m³ | Palmdale + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Palmdale + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Palmdale
24.1 min
Rockford
22.7 min
Rockford +
| Metric | Palmdale, CA | Rockford, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 24.1 min | 22.7 min | Rockford + |
Which City is Right for You?
Palmdale leads in median household income at $71,979, 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 Palmdale. Palmdale has a lower unemployment rate at 8.2%, and Palmdale has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Palmdale scores better with a lower obesity rate of 30.3%.
Compare More Cities
New York, NY vs Palmdale, CALos Angeles, CA vs Palmdale, CAChicago, IL vs Palmdale, CAHouston, TX vs Palmdale, CAPalmdale, CA vs Phoenix, AZPalmdale, CA vs Philadelphia, PA