Roanoke 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)
Roanoke, VA
Virginia · Population: 98,677
- Median HH Income$52,671
- Median Home Price$279,668
- Unemployment5.5%
- Bachelor's+28.9%
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
Roanoke
98,677
Rockford
147,649
Rockford +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Roanoke
N/A
Rockford
N/A
Median Age
Roanoke
38.0
Rockford
37.5
Rockford +
Foreign Born
Roanoke
7.5%
Rockford
12.3%
Rockford +
White
Roanoke
57.5%
Roanoke +
Rockford
55.5%
Black
Roanoke
29.0%
Roanoke +
Rockford
21.8%
Asian
Roanoke
3.1%
Rockford
3.7%
Rockford +
Hispanic
Roanoke
8.6%
Rockford
20.6%
Rockford +
Spanish at Home
Roanoke
N/A
Rockford
N/A
| Metric | Roanoke, VA | Rockford, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 98,677 | 147,649 | Rockford + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 38.0 | 37.5 | Rockford + |
| Foreign Born | 7.5% | 12.3% | Rockford + |
| White | 57.5% | 55.5% | Roanoke + |
| Black | 29.0% | 21.8% | Roanoke + |
| Asian | 3.1% | 3.7% | Rockford + |
| Hispanic | 8.6% | 20.6% | Rockford + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Roanoke
$52,671
Rockford
$53,328
Rockford +
Per Capita Income
Roanoke
$34,792
Roanoke +
Rockford
$30,409
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Roanoke
$69,581
Roanoke +
Rockford
$68,110
Unemployment Rate
Roanoke
5.5%
Roanoke +
Rockford
8.6%
Poverty Rate
Roanoke
19.7%
Roanoke +
Rockford
21.9%
Bachelor's Degree+
Roanoke
28.9%
Roanoke +
Rockford
23.2%
| Metric | Roanoke, VA | Rockford, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $52,671 | $53,328 | Rockford + |
| Per Capita Income | $34,792 | $30,409 | Roanoke + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $69,581 | $68,110 | Roanoke + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.5% | 8.6% | Roanoke + |
| Poverty Rate | 19.7% | 21.9% | Roanoke + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 28.9% | 23.2% | Roanoke + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Roanoke
$279,668
Rockford
$180,220
Rockford +
Homeownership Rate
Roanoke
51.7%
Rockford
53.8%
Rockford +
| Metric | Roanoke, VA | Rockford, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $279,668 | $180,220 | Rockford + |
| Homeownership Rate | 51.7% | 53.8% | Rockford + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Roanoke
240
Roanoke +
Rockford
344
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Roanoke
1726
Roanoke +
Rockford
1842
| Metric | Roanoke, VA | Rockford, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 240 | 344 | Roanoke + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1726 | 1842 | Roanoke + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Roanoke
41.9%
Roanoke +
Rockford
44.7%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Roanoke
14.9%
Roanoke +
Rockford
15.4%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Roanoke
18.4%
Roanoke +
Rockford
19.0%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Roanoke
11.0%
Roanoke +
Rockford
14.0%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Roanoke
14.7%
Roanoke +
Rockford
15.5%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Roanoke
16.7%
Roanoke +
Rockford
18.1%
| Metric | Roanoke, VA | Rockford, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 41.9% | 44.7% | Roanoke + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 14.9% | 15.4% | Roanoke + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.4% | 19.0% | Roanoke + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.0% | 14.0% | Roanoke + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.7% | 15.5% | Roanoke + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 16.7% | 18.1% | Roanoke + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Roanoke
56.0°F
Rockford
49.2°F
Rockford +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Roanoke
44.5 in
Rockford
36.2 in
Rockford +
| Metric | Roanoke, VA | Rockford, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 56.0°F | 49.2°F | Rockford + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 44.5 in | 36.2 in | Rockford + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Roanoke
8.2 µg/m³
Roanoke +
Rockford
9.4 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Roanoke
75.0%
Roanoke +
Rockford
55.0%
| Metric | Roanoke, VA | Rockford, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.2 µg/m³ | 9.4 µg/m³ | Roanoke + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Roanoke + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Roanoke
21.6 min
Roanoke +
Rockford
22.7 min
| Metric | Roanoke, VA | Rockford, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 21.6 min | 22.7 min | Roanoke + |
Which City is Right for You?
Rockford leads in median household income at $53,328, while rockford offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $180,220. On public safety, Roanoke is safer with a violent crime rate of 240 per 100,000 residents, compared to 344 in Rockford. Roanoke has a lower unemployment rate at 5.5%, and Roanoke has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Roanoke scores better with a lower obesity rate of 41.9%.
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