Rochester MN 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)
Rochester, MN
Minnesota · Population: 26,509
- Median HH Income$127,247
- Median Home Price$344,633
- Unemployment3.2%
- Bachelor's+50.3%
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
Rochester
26,509
Rockford
147,649
Rockford +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Rochester
N/A
Rockford
N/A
Median Age
Rochester
38.7
Rockford
37.5
Rockford +
Foreign Born
Rochester
7.1%
Rockford
12.3%
Rockford +
White
Rochester
82.9%
Rochester +
Rockford
55.5%
Black
Rochester
3.6%
Rockford
21.8%
Rockford +
Asian
Rochester
5.2%
Rochester +
Rockford
3.7%
Hispanic
Rochester
3.9%
Rockford
20.6%
Rockford +
Spanish at Home
Rochester
N/A
Rockford
N/A
| Metric | Rochester, MN | Rockford, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 26,509 | 147,649 | Rockford + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 38.7 | 37.5 | Rockford + |
| Foreign Born | 7.1% | 12.3% | Rockford + |
| White | 82.9% | 55.5% | Rochester + |
| Black | 3.6% | 21.8% | Rockford + |
| Asian | 5.2% | 3.7% | Rochester + |
| Hispanic | 3.9% | 20.6% | Rockford + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Rochester
$127,247
Rochester +
Rockford
$53,328
Per Capita Income
Rochester
$57,602
Rochester +
Rockford
$30,409
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Rochester
$69,467
Rochester +
Rockford
$68,110
Unemployment Rate
Rochester
3.2%
Rochester +
Rockford
8.6%
Poverty Rate
Rochester
2.9%
Rochester +
Rockford
21.9%
Bachelor's Degree+
Rochester
50.3%
Rochester +
Rockford
23.2%
| Metric | Rochester, MN | Rockford, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $127,247 | $53,328 | Rochester + |
| Per Capita Income | $57,602 | $30,409 | Rochester + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $69,467 | $68,110 | Rochester + |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.2% | 8.6% | Rochester + |
| Poverty Rate | 2.9% | 21.9% | Rochester + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 50.3% | 23.2% | Rochester + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Rochester
$344,633
Rockford
$180,220
Rockford +
Homeownership Rate
Rochester
86.6%
Rochester +
Rockford
53.8%
| Metric | Rochester, MN | Rockford, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $344,633 | $180,220 | Rockford + |
| Homeownership Rate | 86.6% | 53.8% | Rochester + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Rochester
284
Rochester +
Rockford
344
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Rochester
1992
Rockford
1842
Rockford +
| Metric | Rochester, MN | Rockford, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 284 | 344 | Rochester + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1992 | 1842 | Rockford + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Rochester
36.4%
Rochester +
Rockford
44.7%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Rochester
9.2%
Rochester +
Rockford
15.4%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Rochester
14.3%
Rochester +
Rockford
19.0%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Rochester
7.1%
Rochester +
Rockford
14.0%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Rochester
16.0%
Rockford
15.5%
Rockford +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Rochester
11.4%
Rochester +
Rockford
18.1%
| Metric | Rochester, MN | Rockford, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 36.4% | 44.7% | Rochester + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 9.2% | 15.4% | Rochester + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 14.3% | 19.0% | Rochester + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 7.1% | 14.0% | Rochester + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.0% | 15.5% | Rockford + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 11.4% | 18.1% | Rochester + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Rochester
N/A
Rockford
49.2°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Rochester
34.0 in
Rochester +
Rockford
36.2 in
| Metric | Rochester, MN | Rockford, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 49.2°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 34.0 in | 36.2 in | Rochester + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Rochester
8.1 µg/m³
Rochester +
Rockford
9.4 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Rochester
75.0%
Rochester +
Rockford
55.0%
| Metric | Rochester, MN | Rockford, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.1 µg/m³ | 9.4 µg/m³ | Rochester + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Rochester + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Rochester
28.3 min
Rockford
22.7 min
Rockford +
| Metric | Rochester, MN | Rockford, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 28.3 min | 22.7 min | Rockford + |
Which City is Right for You?
Rochester leads in median household income at $127,247, while rockford offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $180,220. On public safety, Rochester is safer with a violent crime rate of 284 per 100,000 residents, compared to 344 in Rockford. Rochester has a lower unemployment rate at 3.2%, and Rochester has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.1 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Rochester scores better with a lower obesity rate of 36.4%.
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