Pueblo CO 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)
Pueblo, CO
Colorado · Population: 111,514
- Median HH Income$55,305
- Median Home Price$286,326
- Unemployment5.9%
- Bachelor's+22.8%
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
Pueblo
111,514
Rockford
147,649
Rockford +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Pueblo
N/A
Rockford
N/A
Median Age
Pueblo
38.1
Rockford
37.5
Rockford +
Foreign Born
Pueblo
4.0%
Rockford
12.3%
Rockford +
White
Pueblo
70.3%
Pueblo +
Rockford
55.5%
Black
Pueblo
2.7%
Rockford
21.8%
Rockford +
Asian
Pueblo
0.8%
Rockford
3.7%
Rockford +
Hispanic
Pueblo
48.4%
Pueblo +
Rockford
20.6%
Spanish at Home
Pueblo
N/A
Rockford
N/A
| Metric | Pueblo, CO | Rockford, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 111,514 | 147,649 | Rockford + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 38.1 | 37.5 | Rockford + |
| Foreign Born | 4.0% | 12.3% | Rockford + |
| White | 70.3% | 55.5% | Pueblo + |
| Black | 2.7% | 21.8% | Rockford + |
| Asian | 0.8% | 3.7% | Rockford + |
| Hispanic | 48.4% | 20.6% | Pueblo + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Pueblo
$55,305
Pueblo +
Rockford
$53,328
Per Capita Income
Pueblo
$30,949
Pueblo +
Rockford
$30,409
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Pueblo
$76,653
Pueblo +
Rockford
$68,110
Unemployment Rate
Pueblo
5.9%
Pueblo +
Rockford
8.6%
Poverty Rate
Pueblo
19.2%
Pueblo +
Rockford
21.9%
Bachelor's Degree+
Pueblo
22.8%
Rockford
23.2%
Rockford +
| Metric | Pueblo, CO | Rockford, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $55,305 | $53,328 | Pueblo + |
| Per Capita Income | $30,949 | $30,409 | Pueblo + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $76,653 | $68,110 | Pueblo + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.9% | 8.6% | Pueblo + |
| Poverty Rate | 19.2% | 21.9% | Pueblo + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 22.8% | 23.2% | Rockford + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Pueblo
$286,326
Rockford
$180,220
Rockford +
Homeownership Rate
Pueblo
60.8%
Pueblo +
Rockford
53.8%
| Metric | Pueblo, CO | Rockford, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $286,326 | $180,220 | Rockford + |
| Homeownership Rate | 60.8% | 53.8% | Pueblo + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Pueblo
512
Rockford
344
Rockford +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Pueblo
3234
Rockford
1842
Rockford +
| Metric | Pueblo, CO | Rockford, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 512 | 344 | Rockford + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 3234 | 1842 | Rockford + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Pueblo
33.5%
Pueblo +
Rockford
44.7%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Pueblo
13.5%
Pueblo +
Rockford
15.4%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Pueblo
18.0%
Pueblo +
Rockford
19.0%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Pueblo
18.9%
Rockford
14.0%
Rockford +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Pueblo
15.6%
Rockford
15.5%
Rockford +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Pueblo
15.1%
Pueblo +
Rockford
18.1%
| Metric | Pueblo, CO | Rockford, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 33.5% | 44.7% | Pueblo + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.5% | 15.4% | Pueblo + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.0% | 19.0% | Pueblo + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 18.9% | 14.0% | Rockford + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.6% | 15.5% | Rockford + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 15.1% | 18.1% | Pueblo + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Pueblo
53.7°F
Rockford
49.2°F
Rockford +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Pueblo
13.0 in
Pueblo +
Rockford
36.2 in
| Metric | Pueblo, CO | Rockford, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 53.7°F | 49.2°F | Rockford + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 13.0 in | 36.2 in | Pueblo + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Pueblo
6.2 µg/m³
Pueblo +
Rockford
9.4 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Pueblo
75.0%
Pueblo +
Rockford
55.0%
| Metric | Pueblo, CO | Rockford, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 6.2 µg/m³ | 9.4 µg/m³ | Pueblo + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Pueblo + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Pueblo
21.1 min
Pueblo +
Rockford
22.7 min
| Metric | Pueblo, CO | Rockford, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 21.1 min | 22.7 min | Pueblo + |
Which City is Right for You?
Pueblo leads in median household income at $55,305, 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 512 in Pueblo. Pueblo has a lower unemployment rate at 5.9%, and Pueblo has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 6.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Pueblo scores better with a lower obesity rate of 33.5%.
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