Raleigh NC 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)
Raleigh, NC
North Carolina · Population: 470,763
- Median HH Income$82,424
- Median Home Price$435,807
- Unemployment4.5%
- Bachelor's+52.9%
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
Raleigh
470,763
Raleigh +
Rockford
147,649
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Raleigh
N/A
Rockford
N/A
Median Age
Raleigh
34.7
Raleigh +
Rockford
37.5
Foreign Born
Raleigh
13.6%
Raleigh +
Rockford
12.3%
White
Raleigh
53.8%
Rockford
55.5%
Rockford +
Black
Raleigh
27.5%
Raleigh +
Rockford
21.8%
Asian
Raleigh
4.7%
Raleigh +
Rockford
3.7%
Hispanic
Raleigh
12.7%
Rockford
20.6%
Rockford +
Spanish at Home
Raleigh
N/A
Rockford
N/A
| Metric | Raleigh, NC | Rockford, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 470,763 | 147,649 | Raleigh + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.7 | 37.5 | Raleigh + |
| Foreign Born | 13.6% | 12.3% | Raleigh + |
| White | 53.8% | 55.5% | Rockford + |
| Black | 27.5% | 21.8% | Raleigh + |
| Asian | 4.7% | 3.7% | Raleigh + |
| Hispanic | 12.7% | 20.6% | Rockford + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Raleigh
$82,424
Raleigh +
Rockford
$53,328
Per Capita Income
Raleigh
$49,948
Raleigh +
Rockford
$30,409
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Raleigh
$59,120
Rockford
$68,110
Rockford +
Unemployment Rate
Raleigh
4.5%
Raleigh +
Rockford
8.6%
Poverty Rate
Raleigh
11.4%
Raleigh +
Rockford
21.9%
Bachelor's Degree+
Raleigh
52.9%
Raleigh +
Rockford
23.2%
| Metric | Raleigh, NC | Rockford, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $82,424 | $53,328 | Raleigh + |
| Per Capita Income | $49,948 | $30,409 | Raleigh + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $59,120 | $68,110 | Rockford + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.5% | 8.6% | Raleigh + |
| Poverty Rate | 11.4% | 21.9% | Raleigh + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 52.9% | 23.2% | Raleigh + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Raleigh
$435,807
Rockford
$180,220
Rockford +
Homeownership Rate
Raleigh
51.2%
Rockford
53.8%
Rockford +
| Metric | Raleigh, NC | Rockford, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $435,807 | $180,220 | Rockford + |
| Homeownership Rate | 51.2% | 53.8% | Rockford + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Raleigh
398
Rockford
344
Rockford +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Raleigh
1999
Rockford
1842
Rockford +
| Metric | Raleigh, NC | Rockford, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 398 | 344 | Rockford + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1999 | 1842 | Rockford + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Raleigh
30.9%
Raleigh +
Rockford
44.7%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Raleigh
9.1%
Raleigh +
Rockford
15.4%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Raleigh
16.6%
Raleigh +
Rockford
19.0%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Raleigh
9.7%
Raleigh +
Rockford
14.0%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Raleigh
15.3%
Raleigh +
Rockford
15.5%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Raleigh
10.5%
Raleigh +
Rockford
18.1%
| Metric | Raleigh, NC | Rockford, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 30.9% | 44.7% | Raleigh + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 9.1% | 15.4% | Raleigh + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.6% | 19.0% | Raleigh + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.7% | 14.0% | Raleigh + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.3% | 15.5% | Raleigh + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 10.5% | 18.1% | Raleigh + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Raleigh
61.1°F
Rockford
49.2°F
Rockford +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Raleigh
46.2 in
Rockford
36.2 in
Rockford +
| Metric | Raleigh, NC | Rockford, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 61.1°F | 49.2°F | Rockford + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 46.2 in | 36.2 in | Rockford + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Raleigh
8.7 µg/m³
Raleigh +
Rockford
9.4 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Raleigh
75.0%
Raleigh +
Rockford
55.0%
| Metric | Raleigh, NC | Rockford, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.7 µg/m³ | 9.4 µg/m³ | Raleigh + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Raleigh + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Raleigh
25.1 min
Rockford
22.7 min
Rockford +
| Metric | Raleigh, NC | Rockford, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 25.1 min | 22.7 min | Rockford + |
Which City is Right for You?
Raleigh leads in median household income at $82,424, 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 398 in Raleigh. Raleigh has a lower unemployment rate at 4.5%, and Raleigh has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.7 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Raleigh scores better with a lower obesity rate of 30.9%.
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