Plano 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)
Plano, TX
Texas · Population: 287,339
- Median HH Income$108,649
- Median Home Price$507,575
- Unemployment4.1%
- Bachelor's+59.2%
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
Plano
287,339
Plano +
Rockford
147,649
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Plano
N/A
Rockford
N/A
Median Age
Plano
39.3
Rockford
37.5
Rockford +
Foreign Born
Plano
28.7%
Plano +
Rockford
12.3%
White
Plano
53.2%
Rockford
55.5%
Rockford +
Black
Plano
9.0%
Rockford
21.8%
Rockford +
Asian
Plano
22.6%
Plano +
Rockford
3.7%
Hispanic
Plano
16.2%
Rockford
20.6%
Rockford +
Spanish at Home
Plano
N/A
Rockford
N/A
| Metric | Plano, TX | Rockford, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 287,339 | 147,649 | Plano + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 39.3 | 37.5 | Rockford + |
| Foreign Born | 28.7% | 12.3% | Plano + |
| White | 53.2% | 55.5% | Rockford + |
| Black | 9.0% | 21.8% | Rockford + |
| Asian | 22.6% | 3.7% | Plano + |
| Hispanic | 16.2% | 20.6% | Rockford + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Plano
$108,649
Plano +
Rockford
$53,328
Per Capita Income
Plano
$57,753
Plano +
Rockford
$30,409
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Plano
$63,758
Rockford
$68,110
Rockford +
Unemployment Rate
Plano
4.1%
Plano +
Rockford
8.6%
Poverty Rate
Plano
7.1%
Plano +
Rockford
21.9%
Bachelor's Degree+
Plano
59.2%
Plano +
Rockford
23.2%
| Metric | Plano, TX | Rockford, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $108,649 | $53,328 | Plano + |
| Per Capita Income | $57,753 | $30,409 | Plano + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $63,758 | $68,110 | Rockford + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.1% | 8.6% | Plano + |
| Poverty Rate | 7.1% | 21.9% | Plano + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 59.2% | 23.2% | Plano + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Plano
$507,575
Rockford
$180,220
Rockford +
Homeownership Rate
Plano
56.6%
Plano +
Rockford
53.8%
| Metric | Plano, TX | Rockford, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $507,575 | $180,220 | Rockford + |
| Homeownership Rate | 56.6% | 53.8% | Plano + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Plano
442
Rockford
344
Rockford +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Plano
2339
Rockford
1842
Rockford +
| Metric | Plano, 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
Plano
31.2%
Plano +
Rockford
44.7%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Plano
9.9%
Plano +
Rockford
15.4%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Plano
14.0%
Plano +
Rockford
19.0%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Plano
10.3%
Plano +
Rockford
14.0%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Plano
16.4%
Rockford
15.5%
Rockford +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Plano
8.8%
Plano +
Rockford
18.1%
| Metric | Plano, TX | Rockford, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 31.2% | 44.7% | Plano + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 9.9% | 15.4% | Plano + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 14.0% | 19.0% | Plano + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 10.3% | 14.0% | Plano + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.4% | 15.5% | Rockford + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 8.8% | 18.1% | Plano + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Plano
N/A
Rockford
49.2°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Plano
N/A
Rockford
36.2 in
| Metric | Plano, 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.)
Plano
9.2 µg/m³
Plano +
Rockford
9.4 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Plano
55.0%
Rockford
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Plano, TX | Rockford, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.2 µg/m³ | 9.4 µg/m³ | Plano + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 55.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Plano
27.6 min
Rockford
22.7 min
Rockford +
| Metric | Plano, TX | Rockford, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 27.6 min | 22.7 min | Rockford + |
Which City is Right for You?
Plano leads in median household income at $108,649, 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 Plano. Plano has a lower unemployment rate at 4.1%, and Plano has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 9.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Plano scores better with a lower obesity rate of 31.2%.
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