Port St. Lucie 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)
Port St. Lucie, FL
Florida · Population: 220,453
- Median HH Income$78,137
- Median Home Price$327,700
- Unemployment5.5%
- Bachelor's+26.8%
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
Port St. Lucie
220,453
Port St. Lucie +
Rockford
147,649
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Port St. Lucie
N/A
Rockford
N/A
Median Age
Port St. Lucie
43.7
Rockford
37.5
Rockford +
Foreign Born
Port St. Lucie
19.5%
Port St. Lucie +
Rockford
12.3%
White
Port St. Lucie
60.0%
Port St. Lucie +
Rockford
55.5%
Black
Port St. Lucie
19.2%
Rockford
21.8%
Rockford +
Asian
Port St. Lucie
2.2%
Rockford
3.7%
Rockford +
Hispanic
Port St. Lucie
23.0%
Port St. Lucie +
Rockford
20.6%
Spanish at Home
Port St. Lucie
N/A
Rockford
N/A
| Metric | Port St. Lucie, FL | Rockford, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 220,453 | 147,649 | Port St. Lucie + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 43.7 | 37.5 | Rockford + |
| Foreign Born | 19.5% | 12.3% | Port St. Lucie + |
| White | 60.0% | 55.5% | Port St. Lucie + |
| Black | 19.2% | 21.8% | Rockford + |
| Asian | 2.2% | 3.7% | Rockford + |
| Hispanic | 23.0% | 20.6% | Port St. Lucie + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Port St. Lucie
$78,137
Port St. Lucie +
Rockford
$53,328
Per Capita Income
Port St. Lucie
$36,352
Port St. Lucie +
Rockford
$30,409
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Port St. Lucie
$65,328
Rockford
$68,110
Rockford +
Unemployment Rate
Port St. Lucie
5.5%
Port St. Lucie +
Rockford
8.6%
Poverty Rate
Port St. Lucie
8.5%
Port St. Lucie +
Rockford
21.9%
Bachelor's Degree+
Port St. Lucie
26.8%
Port St. Lucie +
Rockford
23.2%
| Metric | Port St. Lucie, FL | Rockford, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $78,137 | $53,328 | Port St. Lucie + |
| Per Capita Income | $36,352 | $30,409 | Port St. Lucie + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $65,328 | $68,110 | Rockford + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.5% | 8.6% | Port St. Lucie + |
| Poverty Rate | 8.5% | 21.9% | Port St. Lucie + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 26.8% | 23.2% | Port St. Lucie + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Port St. Lucie
$327,700
Rockford
$180,220
Rockford +
Homeownership Rate
Port St. Lucie
83.2%
Port St. Lucie +
Rockford
53.8%
| Metric | Port St. Lucie, FL | Rockford, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $327,700 | $180,220 | Rockford + |
| Homeownership Rate | 83.2% | 53.8% | Port St. Lucie + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Port St. Lucie
324
Port St. Lucie +
Rockford
344
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Port St. Lucie
1453
Port St. Lucie +
Rockford
1842
| Metric | Port St. Lucie, FL | Rockford, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 324 | 344 | Port St. Lucie + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1453 | 1842 | Port St. Lucie + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Port St. Lucie
30.5%
Port St. Lucie +
Rockford
44.7%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Port St. Lucie
13.1%
Port St. Lucie +
Rockford
15.4%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Port St. Lucie
16.6%
Port St. Lucie +
Rockford
19.0%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Port St. Lucie
14.5%
Rockford
14.0%
Rockford +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Port St. Lucie
14.5%
Port St. Lucie +
Rockford
15.5%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Port St. Lucie
12.9%
Port St. Lucie +
Rockford
18.1%
| Metric | Port St. Lucie, FL | Rockford, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 30.5% | 44.7% | Port St. Lucie + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.1% | 15.4% | Port St. Lucie + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.6% | 19.0% | Port St. Lucie + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 14.5% | 14.0% | Rockford + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.5% | 15.5% | Port St. Lucie + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.9% | 18.1% | Port St. Lucie + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Port St. Lucie
N/A
Rockford
49.2°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Port St. Lucie
N/A
Rockford
36.2 in
| Metric | Port St. Lucie, 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.)
Port St. Lucie
7.2 µg/m³
Port St. Lucie +
Rockford
9.4 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Port St. Lucie
75.0%
Port St. Lucie +
Rockford
55.0%
| Metric | Port St. Lucie, FL | Rockford, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.2 µg/m³ | 9.4 µg/m³ | Port St. Lucie + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Port St. Lucie + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Port St. Lucie
32.0 min
Rockford
22.7 min
Rockford +
| Metric | Port St. Lucie, FL | Rockford, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 32.0 min | 22.7 min | Rockford + |
Which City is Right for You?
Port St. Lucie leads in median household income at $78,137, while rockford offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $180,220. On public safety, Port St. Lucie is safer with a violent crime rate of 324 per 100,000 residents, compared to 344 in Rockford. Port St. Lucie has a lower unemployment rate at 5.5%, and Port St. Lucie has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Port St. Lucie scores better with a lower obesity rate of 30.5%.
Compare More Cities
New York, NY vs Port St. Lucie, FLLos Angeles, CA vs Port St. Lucie, FLChicago, IL vs Port St. Lucie, FLHouston, TX vs Port St. Lucie, FLPhoenix, AZ vs Port St. Lucie, FLPhiladelphia, PA vs Port St. Lucie, FL