Portland OR 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, OR
Oregon · Population: 642,715
- Median HH Income$88,792
- Median Home Price$538,687
- Unemployment5.5%
- Bachelor's+53.5%
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
642,715
Portland +
Rockford
147,649
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Portland
N/A
Rockford
N/A
Median Age
Portland
38.6
Rockford
37.5
Rockford +
Foreign Born
Portland
12.4%
Portland +
Rockford
12.3%
White
Portland
70.1%
Portland +
Rockford
55.5%
Black
Portland
5.8%
Rockford
21.8%
Rockford +
Asian
Portland
8.1%
Portland +
Rockford
3.7%
Hispanic
Portland
11.3%
Rockford
20.6%
Rockford +
Spanish at Home
Portland
N/A
Rockford
N/A
| Metric | Portland, OR | Rockford, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 642,715 | 147,649 | Portland + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 38.6 | 37.5 | Rockford + |
| Foreign Born | 12.4% | 12.3% | Portland + |
| White | 70.1% | 55.5% | Portland + |
| Black | 5.8% | 21.8% | Rockford + |
| Asian | 8.1% | 3.7% | Portland + |
| Hispanic | 11.3% | 20.6% | Rockford + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Portland
$88,792
Portland +
Rockford
$53,328
Per Capita Income
Portland
$55,312
Portland +
Rockford
$30,409
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Portland
$63,691
Rockford
$68,110
Rockford +
Unemployment Rate
Portland
5.5%
Portland +
Rockford
8.6%
Poverty Rate
Portland
12.8%
Portland +
Rockford
21.9%
Bachelor's Degree+
Portland
53.5%
Portland +
Rockford
23.2%
| Metric | Portland, OR | Rockford, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $88,792 | $53,328 | Portland + |
| Per Capita Income | $55,312 | $30,409 | Portland + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $63,691 | $68,110 | Rockford + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.5% | 8.6% | Portland + |
| Poverty Rate | 12.8% | 21.9% | Portland + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 53.5% | 23.2% | Portland + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Portland
$538,687
Rockford
$180,220
Rockford +
Homeownership Rate
Portland
52.8%
Rockford
53.8%
Rockford +
| Metric | Portland, OR | Rockford, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $538,687 | $180,220 | Rockford + |
| Homeownership Rate | 52.8% | 53.8% | Rockford + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Portland
355
Rockford
344
Rockford +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Portland
3001
Rockford
1842
Rockford +
| Metric | Portland, OR | Rockford, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 355 | 344 | Rockford + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 3001 | 1842 | Rockford + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Portland
28.5%
Portland +
Rockford
44.7%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Portland
8.9%
Portland +
Rockford
15.4%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Portland
18.3%
Portland +
Rockford
19.0%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Portland
7.1%
Portland +
Rockford
14.0%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Portland
17.7%
Rockford
15.5%
Rockford +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Portland
11.7%
Portland +
Rockford
18.1%
| Metric | Portland, OR | Rockford, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 28.5% | 44.7% | Portland + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 8.9% | 15.4% | Portland + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.3% | 19.0% | Portland + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 7.1% | 14.0% | Portland + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 17.7% | 15.5% | Rockford + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 11.7% | 18.1% | Portland + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Portland
51.6°F
Rockford
49.2°F
Rockford +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Portland
78.3 in
Rockford
36.2 in
Rockford +
| Metric | Portland, OR | Rockford, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 51.6°F | 49.2°F | Rockford + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 78.3 in | 36.2 in | Rockford + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Portland
9.0 µg/m³
Portland +
Rockford
9.4 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Portland
55.0%
Rockford
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Portland, OR | Rockford, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.0 µg/m³ | 9.4 µg/m³ | Portland + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 55.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Portland
26.5 min
Rockford
22.7 min
Rockford +
| Metric | Portland, OR | Rockford, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 26.5 min | 22.7 min | Rockford + |
Which City is Right for You?
Portland leads in median household income at $88,792, 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 355 in Portland. Portland has a lower unemployment rate at 5.5%, and Portland has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 9.0 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Portland scores better with a lower obesity rate of 28.5%.
Compare More Cities
New York, NY vs Portland, ORLos Angeles, CA vs Portland, ORChicago, IL vs Portland, ORHouston, TX vs Portland, ORPhoenix, AZ vs Portland, ORPhiladelphia, PA vs Portland, OR