Provo UT 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)
Provo, UT
Utah · Population: 114,303
- Median HH Income$62,800
- Median Home Price$486,127
- Unemployment4.7%
- Bachelor's+45.0%
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
Provo
114,303
Rockford
147,649
Rockford +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Provo
N/A
Rockford
N/A
Median Age
Provo
23.7
Provo +
Rockford
37.5
Foreign Born
Provo
12.2%
Rockford
12.3%
Rockford +
White
Provo
78.6%
Provo +
Rockford
55.5%
Black
Provo
1.1%
Rockford
21.8%
Rockford +
Asian
Provo
2.2%
Rockford
3.7%
Rockford +
Hispanic
Provo
18.9%
Rockford
20.6%
Rockford +
Spanish at Home
Provo
N/A
Rockford
N/A
| Metric | Provo, UT | Rockford, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 114,303 | 147,649 | Rockford + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 23.7 | 37.5 | Provo + |
| Foreign Born | 12.2% | 12.3% | Rockford + |
| White | 78.6% | 55.5% | Provo + |
| Black | 1.1% | 21.8% | Rockford + |
| Asian | 2.2% | 3.7% | Rockford + |
| Hispanic | 18.9% | 20.6% | Rockford + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Provo
$62,800
Provo +
Rockford
$53,328
Per Capita Income
Provo
$26,755
Rockford
$30,409
Rockford +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Provo
$60,713
Rockford
$68,110
Rockford +
Unemployment Rate
Provo
4.7%
Provo +
Rockford
8.6%
Poverty Rate
Provo
22.3%
Rockford
21.9%
Rockford +
Bachelor's Degree+
Provo
45.0%
Provo +
Rockford
23.2%
| Metric | Provo, UT | Rockford, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $62,800 | $53,328 | Provo + |
| Per Capita Income | $26,755 | $30,409 | Rockford + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $60,713 | $68,110 | Rockford + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.7% | 8.6% | Provo + |
| Poverty Rate | 22.3% | 21.9% | Rockford + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 45.0% | 23.2% | Provo + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Provo
$486,127
Rockford
$180,220
Rockford +
Homeownership Rate
Provo
39.9%
Rockford
53.8%
Rockford +
| Metric | Provo, UT | Rockford, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $486,127 | $180,220 | Rockford + |
| Homeownership Rate | 39.9% | 53.8% | Rockford + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Provo
245
Provo +
Rockford
344
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Provo
1931
Rockford
1842
Rockford +
| Metric | Provo, UT | Rockford, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 245 | 344 | Provo + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1931 | 1842 | Rockford + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Provo
30.7%
Provo +
Rockford
44.7%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Provo
6.1%
Provo +
Rockford
15.4%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Provo
21.5%
Rockford
19.0%
Rockford +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Provo
12.6%
Provo +
Rockford
14.0%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Provo
8.7%
Provo +
Rockford
15.5%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Provo
7.0%
Provo +
Rockford
18.1%
| Metric | Provo, UT | Rockford, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 30.7% | 44.7% | Provo + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 6.1% | 15.4% | Provo + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 21.5% | 19.0% | Rockford + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 12.6% | 14.0% | Provo + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 8.7% | 15.5% | Provo + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 7.0% | 18.1% | Provo + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Provo
53.4°F
Rockford
49.2°F
Rockford +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Provo
19.8 in
Provo +
Rockford
36.2 in
| Metric | Provo, UT | Rockford, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 53.4°F | 49.2°F | Rockford + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 19.8 in | 36.2 in | Provo + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Provo
7.0 µg/m³
Provo +
Rockford
9.4 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Provo
75.0%
Provo +
Rockford
55.0%
| Metric | Provo, UT | Rockford, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.0 µg/m³ | 9.4 µg/m³ | Provo + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Provo + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Provo
20.1 min
Provo +
Rockford
22.7 min
| Metric | Provo, UT | Rockford, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 20.1 min | 22.7 min | Provo + |
Which City is Right for You?
Provo leads in median household income at $62,800, while rockford offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $180,220. On public safety, Provo is safer with a violent crime rate of 245 per 100,000 residents, compared to 344 in Rockford. Provo has a lower unemployment rate at 4.7%, and Provo has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.0 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Provo scores better with a lower obesity rate of 30.7%.
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