Pasadena 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)
Pasadena, TX
Texas · Population: 125,983
- Median HH Income$112,470
- Median Home Price$218,978
- Unemployment3.1%
- Bachelor's+47.4%
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
Pasadena
125,983
Rockford
147,649
Rockford +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Pasadena
N/A
Rockford
N/A
Median Age
Pasadena
36.5
Pasadena +
Rockford
37.5
Foreign Born
Pasadena
19.3%
Pasadena +
Rockford
12.3%
White
Pasadena
45.5%
Rockford
55.5%
Rockford +
Black
Pasadena
18.1%
Rockford
21.8%
Rockford +
Asian
Pasadena
17.0%
Pasadena +
Rockford
3.7%
Hispanic
Pasadena
25.4%
Pasadena +
Rockford
20.6%
Spanish at Home
Pasadena
N/A
Rockford
N/A
| Metric | Pasadena, TX | Rockford, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 125,983 | 147,649 | Rockford + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.5 | 37.5 | Pasadena + |
| Foreign Born | 19.3% | 12.3% | Pasadena + |
| White | 45.5% | 55.5% | Rockford + |
| Black | 18.1% | 21.8% | Rockford + |
| Asian | 17.0% | 3.7% | Pasadena + |
| Hispanic | 25.4% | 20.6% | Pasadena + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Pasadena
$112,470
Pasadena +
Rockford
$53,328
Per Capita Income
Pasadena
$49,845
Pasadena +
Rockford
$30,409
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Pasadena
$63,758
Rockford
$68,110
Rockford +
Unemployment Rate
Pasadena
3.1%
Pasadena +
Rockford
8.6%
Poverty Rate
Pasadena
4.2%
Pasadena +
Rockford
21.9%
Bachelor's Degree+
Pasadena
47.4%
Pasadena +
Rockford
23.2%
| Metric | Pasadena, TX | Rockford, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $112,470 | $53,328 | Pasadena + |
| Per Capita Income | $49,845 | $30,409 | Pasadena + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $63,758 | $68,110 | Rockford + |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.1% | 8.6% | Pasadena + |
| Poverty Rate | 4.2% | 21.9% | Pasadena + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 47.4% | 23.2% | Pasadena + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Pasadena
$218,978
Rockford
$180,220
Rockford +
Homeownership Rate
Pasadena
76.6%
Pasadena +
Rockford
53.8%
| Metric | Pasadena, TX | Rockford, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $218,978 | $180,220 | Rockford + |
| Homeownership Rate | 76.6% | 53.8% | Pasadena + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Pasadena
442
Rockford
344
Rockford +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Pasadena
2339
Rockford
1842
Rockford +
| Metric | Pasadena, 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
Pasadena
39.1%
Pasadena +
Rockford
44.7%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Pasadena
14.6%
Pasadena +
Rockford
15.4%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Pasadena
17.8%
Pasadena +
Rockford
19.0%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Pasadena
32.1%
Rockford
14.0%
Rockford +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Pasadena
17.1%
Rockford
15.5%
Rockford +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Pasadena
14.6%
Pasadena +
Rockford
18.1%
| Metric | Pasadena, TX | Rockford, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 39.1% | 44.7% | Pasadena + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 14.6% | 15.4% | Pasadena + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.8% | 19.0% | Pasadena + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 32.1% | 14.0% | Rockford + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 17.1% | 15.5% | Rockford + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 14.6% | 18.1% | Pasadena + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Pasadena
N/A
Rockford
49.2°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Pasadena
N/A
Rockford
36.2 in
| Metric | Pasadena, TX | 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.)
Pasadena
9.2 µg/m³
Pasadena +
Rockford
9.4 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Pasadena
55.0%
Rockford
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Pasadena, TX | Rockford, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.2 µg/m³ | 9.4 µg/m³ | Pasadena + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 55.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Pasadena
36.1 min
Rockford
22.7 min
Rockford +
| Metric | Pasadena, TX | Rockford, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 36.1 min | 22.7 min | Rockford + |
Which City is Right for You?
Pasadena leads in median household income at $112,470, 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 Pasadena. Pasadena has a lower unemployment rate at 3.1%, and Pasadena has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 9.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Pasadena scores better with a lower obesity rate of 39.1%.
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