Richmond VA 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)
Richmond, VA
Virginia · Population: 227,595
- Median HH Income$62,671
- Median Home Price$374,265
- Unemployment6.0%
- Bachelor's+44.1%
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
Richmond
227,595
Richmond +
Rockford
147,649
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Richmond
N/A
Rockford
N/A
Median Age
Richmond
34.5
Richmond +
Rockford
37.5
Foreign Born
Richmond
8.6%
Rockford
12.3%
Rockford +
White
Richmond
43.2%
Rockford
55.5%
Rockford +
Black
Richmond
42.0%
Richmond +
Rockford
21.8%
Asian
Richmond
2.1%
Rockford
3.7%
Rockford +
Hispanic
Richmond
10.3%
Rockford
20.6%
Rockford +
Spanish at Home
Richmond
N/A
Rockford
N/A
| Metric | Richmond, VA | Rockford, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 227,595 | 147,649 | Richmond + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.5 | 37.5 | Richmond + |
| Foreign Born | 8.6% | 12.3% | Rockford + |
| White | 43.2% | 55.5% | Rockford + |
| Black | 42.0% | 21.8% | Richmond + |
| Asian | 2.1% | 3.7% | Rockford + |
| Hispanic | 10.3% | 20.6% | Rockford + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Richmond
$62,671
Richmond +
Rockford
$53,328
Per Capita Income
Richmond
$44,249
Richmond +
Rockford
$30,409
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Richmond
$69,581
Richmond +
Rockford
$68,110
Unemployment Rate
Richmond
6.0%
Richmond +
Rockford
8.6%
Poverty Rate
Richmond
18.8%
Richmond +
Rockford
21.9%
Bachelor's Degree+
Richmond
44.1%
Richmond +
Rockford
23.2%
| Metric | Richmond, VA | Rockford, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $62,671 | $53,328 | Richmond + |
| Per Capita Income | $44,249 | $30,409 | Richmond + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $69,581 | $68,110 | Richmond + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.0% | 8.6% | Richmond + |
| Poverty Rate | 18.8% | 21.9% | Richmond + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 44.1% | 23.2% | Richmond + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Richmond
$374,265
Rockford
$180,220
Rockford +
Homeownership Rate
Richmond
43.5%
Rockford
53.8%
Rockford +
| Metric | Richmond, VA | Rockford, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $374,265 | $180,220 | Rockford + |
| Homeownership Rate | 43.5% | 53.8% | Rockford + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Richmond
240
Richmond +
Rockford
344
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Richmond
1726
Richmond +
Rockford
1842
| Metric | Richmond, VA | Rockford, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 240 | 344 | Richmond + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1726 | 1842 | Richmond + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Richmond
36.7%
Richmond +
Rockford
44.7%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Richmond
12.3%
Richmond +
Rockford
15.4%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Richmond
18.8%
Richmond +
Rockford
19.0%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Richmond
10.7%
Richmond +
Rockford
14.0%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Richmond
16.2%
Rockford
15.5%
Rockford +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Richmond
13.9%
Richmond +
Rockford
18.1%
| Metric | Richmond, VA | Rockford, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 36.7% | 44.7% | Richmond + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.3% | 15.4% | Richmond + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.8% | 19.0% | Richmond + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 10.7% | 14.0% | Richmond + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.2% | 15.5% | Rockford + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 13.9% | 18.1% | Richmond + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Richmond
58.9°F
Rockford
49.2°F
Rockford +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Richmond
43.6 in
Rockford
36.2 in
Rockford +
| Metric | Richmond, VA | Rockford, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 58.9°F | 49.2°F | Rockford + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 43.6 in | 36.2 in | Rockford + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Richmond
8.2 µg/m³
Richmond +
Rockford
9.4 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Richmond
75.0%
Richmond +
Rockford
55.0%
| Metric | Richmond, VA | Rockford, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.2 µg/m³ | 9.4 µg/m³ | Richmond + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Richmond + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Richmond
23.6 min
Rockford
22.7 min
Rockford +
| Metric | Richmond, VA | Rockford, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 23.6 min | 22.7 min | Rockford + |
Which City is Right for You?
Richmond leads in median household income at $62,671, while rockford offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $180,220. On public safety, Richmond is safer with a violent crime rate of 240 per 100,000 residents, compared to 344 in Rockford. Richmond has a lower unemployment rate at 6.0%, and Richmond has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Richmond scores better with a lower obesity rate of 36.7%.
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