Philadelphia PA 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)
Philadelphia, PA
Pennsylvania · Population: 1,582,432
- Median HH Income$60,698
- Median Home Price$233,814
- Unemployment8.4%
- Bachelor's+34.6%
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
Philadelphia
1,582,432
Philadelphia +
Rockford
147,649
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Philadelphia
N/A
Rockford
N/A
Median Age
Philadelphia
35.1
Philadelphia +
Rockford
37.5
Foreign Born
Philadelphia
14.6%
Philadelphia +
Rockford
12.3%
White
Philadelphia
36.1%
Rockford
55.5%
Rockford +
Black
Philadelphia
39.9%
Philadelphia +
Rockford
21.8%
Asian
Philadelphia
7.8%
Philadelphia +
Rockford
3.7%
Hispanic
Philadelphia
15.2%
Rockford
20.6%
Rockford +
Spanish at Home
Philadelphia
N/A
Rockford
N/A
| Metric | Philadelphia, PA | Rockford, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 1,582,432 | 147,649 | Philadelphia + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.1 | 37.5 | Philadelphia + |
| Foreign Born | 14.6% | 12.3% | Philadelphia + |
| White | 36.1% | 55.5% | Rockford + |
| Black | 39.9% | 21.8% | Philadelphia + |
| Asian | 7.8% | 3.7% | Philadelphia + |
| Hispanic | 15.2% | 20.6% | Rockford + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Philadelphia
$60,698
Philadelphia +
Rockford
$53,328
Per Capita Income
Philadelphia
$37,669
Philadelphia +
Rockford
$30,409
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Philadelphia
$65,080
Rockford
$68,110
Rockford +
Unemployment Rate
Philadelphia
8.4%
Philadelphia +
Rockford
8.6%
Poverty Rate
Philadelphia
22.0%
Rockford
21.9%
Rockford +
Bachelor's Degree+
Philadelphia
34.6%
Philadelphia +
Rockford
23.2%
| Metric | Philadelphia, PA | Rockford, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $60,698 | $53,328 | Philadelphia + |
| Per Capita Income | $37,669 | $30,409 | Philadelphia + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $65,080 | $68,110 | Rockford + |
| Unemployment Rate | 8.4% | 8.6% | Philadelphia + |
| Poverty Rate | 22.0% | 21.9% | Rockford + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 34.6% | 23.2% | Philadelphia + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Philadelphia
$233,814
Rockford
$180,220
Rockford +
Homeownership Rate
Philadelphia
52.3%
Rockford
53.8%
Rockford +
| Metric | Philadelphia, PA | Rockford, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $233,814 | $180,220 | Rockford + |
| Homeownership Rate | 52.3% | 53.8% | Rockford + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Philadelphia
319
Philadelphia +
Rockford
344
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Philadelphia
1613
Philadelphia +
Rockford
1842
| Metric | Philadelphia, PA | Rockford, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 319 | 344 | Philadelphia + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1613 | 1842 | Philadelphia + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Philadelphia
N/A
Rockford
44.7%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Philadelphia
N/A
Rockford
15.4%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Philadelphia
N/A
Rockford
19.0%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Philadelphia
N/A
Rockford
14.0%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Philadelphia
N/A
Rockford
15.5%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Philadelphia
N/A
Rockford
18.1%
| Metric | Philadelphia, PA | Rockford, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | N/A | 44.7% | - |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | N/A | 15.4% | - |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | N/A | 19.0% | - |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | N/A | 14.0% | - |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | N/A | 15.5% | - |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | N/A | 18.1% | - |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Philadelphia
57.1°F
Rockford
49.2°F
Rockford +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Philadelphia
48.5 in
Rockford
36.2 in
Rockford +
| Metric | Philadelphia, PA | Rockford, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 57.1°F | 49.2°F | Rockford + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 48.5 in | 36.2 in | Rockford + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Philadelphia
9.8 µg/m³
Rockford
9.4 µg/m³
Rockford +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Philadelphia
55.0%
Rockford
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Philadelphia, PA | Rockford, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.8 µg/m³ | 9.4 µg/m³ | Rockford + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 55.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Philadelphia
34.5 min
Rockford
22.7 min
Rockford +
| Metric | Philadelphia, PA | Rockford, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 34.5 min | 22.7 min | Rockford + |
Which City is Right for You?
Philadelphia leads in median household income at $60,698, while rockford offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $180,220. On public safety, Philadelphia is safer with a violent crime rate of 319 per 100,000 residents, compared to 344 in Rockford. Philadelphia has a lower unemployment rate at 8.4%, and Rockford has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 9.4 µg/m³).
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