Portland ME 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)
Portland, ME
Maine · Population: 68,505
- Median HH Income$76,174
- Median Home Price$561,069
- Unemployment4.4%
- 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
Portland
68,505
Rockford
147,649
Rockford +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Portland
N/A
Rockford
N/A
Median Age
Portland
37.5
Rockford
37.5
Tie
Foreign Born
Portland
11.1%
Rockford
12.3%
Rockford +
White
Portland
80.1%
Portland +
Rockford
55.5%
Black
Portland
9.0%
Rockford
21.8%
Rockford +
Asian
Portland
3.2%
Rockford
3.7%
Rockford +
Hispanic
Portland
3.1%
Rockford
20.6%
Rockford +
Spanish at Home
Portland
N/A
Rockford
N/A
| Metric | Portland, ME | Rockford, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 68,505 | 147,649 | Rockford + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 37.5 | 37.5 | Tie |
| Foreign Born | 11.1% | 12.3% | Rockford + |
| White | 80.1% | 55.5% | Portland + |
| Black | 9.0% | 21.8% | Rockford + |
| Asian | 3.2% | 3.7% | Rockford + |
| Hispanic | 3.1% | 20.6% | Rockford + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Portland
$76,174
Portland +
Rockford
$53,328
Per Capita Income
Portland
$52,125
Portland +
Rockford
$30,409
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Portland
$61,587
Rockford
$68,110
Rockford +
Unemployment Rate
Portland
4.4%
Portland +
Rockford
8.6%
Poverty Rate
Portland
11.3%
Portland +
Rockford
21.9%
Bachelor's Degree+
Portland
59.2%
Portland +
Rockford
23.2%
| Metric | Portland, ME | Rockford, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $76,174 | $53,328 | Portland + |
| Per Capita Income | $52,125 | $30,409 | Portland + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $61,587 | $68,110 | Rockford + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.4% | 8.6% | Portland + |
| Poverty Rate | 11.3% | 21.9% | Portland + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 59.2% | 23.2% | Portland + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Portland
$561,069
Rockford
$180,220
Rockford +
Homeownership Rate
Portland
46.7%
Rockford
53.8%
Rockford +
| Metric | Portland, ME | Rockford, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $561,069 | $180,220 | Rockford + |
| Homeownership Rate | 46.7% | 53.8% | Rockford + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Portland
106
Portland +
Rockford
344
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Portland
1234
Portland +
Rockford
1842
| Metric | Portland, ME | Rockford, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 106 | 344 | Portland + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1234 | 1842 | Portland + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Portland
27.7%
Portland +
Rockford
44.7%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Portland
8.3%
Portland +
Rockford
15.4%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Portland
17.8%
Portland +
Rockford
19.0%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Portland
7.2%
Portland +
Rockford
14.0%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Portland
18.3%
Rockford
15.5%
Rockford +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Portland
11.1%
Portland +
Rockford
18.1%
| Metric | Portland, ME | Rockford, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 27.7% | 44.7% | Portland + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 8.3% | 15.4% | Portland + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.8% | 19.0% | Portland + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 7.2% | 14.0% | Portland + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 18.3% | 15.5% | Rockford + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 11.1% | 18.1% | Portland + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Portland
46.5°F
Portland +
Rockford
49.2°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Portland
47.3 in
Rockford
36.2 in
Rockford +
| Metric | Portland, ME | Rockford, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 46.5°F | 49.2°F | Portland + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 47.3 in | 36.2 in | Rockford + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Portland
5.9 µg/m³
Portland +
Rockford
9.4 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Portland
75.0%
Portland +
Rockford
55.0%
| Metric | Portland, ME | Rockford, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 5.9 µg/m³ | 9.4 µg/m³ | Portland + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Portland + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Portland
21.4 min
Portland +
Rockford
22.7 min
| Metric | Portland, ME | Rockford, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 21.4 min | 22.7 min | Portland + |
Which City is Right for You?
Portland leads in median household income at $76,174, while rockford offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $180,220. On public safety, Portland is safer with a violent crime rate of 106 per 100,000 residents, compared to 344 in Rockford. Portland has a lower unemployment rate at 4.4%, and Portland has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 5.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Portland scores better with a lower obesity rate of 27.7%.
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