Providence RI 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)
Providence, RI
Rhode Island · Population: 190,214
- Median HH Income$66,772
- Median Home Price$429,449
- Unemployment7.4%
- Bachelor's+34.7%
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
Providence
190,214
Providence +
Rockford
147,649
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Providence
N/A
Rockford
N/A
Median Age
Providence
32.9
Providence +
Rockford
37.5
Foreign Born
Providence
32.8%
Providence +
Rockford
12.3%
White
Providence
40.7%
Rockford
55.5%
Rockford +
Black
Providence
13.3%
Rockford
21.8%
Rockford +
Asian
Providence
5.9%
Providence +
Rockford
3.7%
Hispanic
Providence
44.3%
Providence +
Rockford
20.6%
Spanish at Home
Providence
N/A
Rockford
N/A
| Metric | Providence, RI | Rockford, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 190,214 | 147,649 | Providence + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 32.9 | 37.5 | Providence + |
| Foreign Born | 32.8% | 12.3% | Providence + |
| White | 40.7% | 55.5% | Rockford + |
| Black | 13.3% | 21.8% | Rockford + |
| Asian | 5.9% | 3.7% | Providence + |
| Hispanic | 44.3% | 20.6% | Providence + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Providence
$66,772
Providence +
Rockford
$53,328
Per Capita Income
Providence
$36,694
Providence +
Rockford
$30,409
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Providence
$64,538
Rockford
$68,110
Rockford +
Unemployment Rate
Providence
7.4%
Providence +
Rockford
8.6%
Poverty Rate
Providence
20.1%
Providence +
Rockford
21.9%
Bachelor's Degree+
Providence
34.7%
Providence +
Rockford
23.2%
| Metric | Providence, RI | Rockford, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $66,772 | $53,328 | Providence + |
| Per Capita Income | $36,694 | $30,409 | Providence + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $64,538 | $68,110 | Rockford + |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.4% | 8.6% | Providence + |
| Poverty Rate | 20.1% | 21.9% | Providence + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 34.7% | 23.2% | Providence + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Providence
$429,449
Rockford
$180,220
Rockford +
Homeownership Rate
Providence
41.2%
Rockford
53.8%
Rockford +
| Metric | Providence, RI | Rockford, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $429,449 | $180,220 | Rockford + |
| Homeownership Rate | 41.2% | 53.8% | Rockford + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Providence
174
Providence +
Rockford
344
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Providence
1303
Providence +
Rockford
1842
| Metric | Providence, RI | Rockford, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 174 | 344 | Providence + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1303 | 1842 | Providence + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Providence
34.4%
Providence +
Rockford
44.7%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Providence
11.5%
Providence +
Rockford
15.4%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Providence
19.6%
Rockford
19.0%
Rockford +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Providence
14.6%
Rockford
14.0%
Rockford +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Providence
16.7%
Rockford
15.5%
Rockford +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Providence
12.1%
Providence +
Rockford
18.1%
| Metric | Providence, RI | Rockford, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 34.4% | 44.7% | Providence + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.5% | 15.4% | Providence + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.6% | 19.0% | Rockford + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 14.6% | 14.0% | Rockford + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.7% | 15.5% | Rockford + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.1% | 18.1% | Providence + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Providence
N/A
Rockford
49.2°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Providence
N/A
Rockford
36.2 in
| Metric | Providence, RI | 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.)
Providence
7.1 µg/m³
Providence +
Rockford
9.4 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Providence
75.0%
Providence +
Rockford
55.0%
| Metric | Providence, RI | Rockford, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.1 µg/m³ | 9.4 µg/m³ | Providence + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Providence + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Providence
27.4 min
Rockford
22.7 min
Rockford +
| Metric | Providence, RI | Rockford, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 27.4 min | 22.7 min | Rockford + |
Which City is Right for You?
Providence leads in median household income at $66,772, while rockford offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $180,220. On public safety, Providence is safer with a violent crime rate of 174 per 100,000 residents, compared to 344 in Rockford. Providence has a lower unemployment rate at 7.4%, and Providence has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.1 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Providence scores better with a lower obesity rate of 34.4%.
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