Rochester NY 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, NY
New York · Population: 209,720
- Median HH Income$46,628
- Median Home Price$241,627
- Unemployment7.9%
- Bachelor's+29.9%
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
Rochester
209,720
Rochester +
Rockford
147,649
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Rochester
N/A
Rockford
N/A
Median Age
Rochester
33.5
Rochester +
Rockford
37.5
Foreign Born
Rochester
8.3%
Rockford
12.3%
Rockford +
White
Rochester
41.5%
Rockford
55.5%
Rockford +
Black
Rochester
37.5%
Rochester +
Rockford
21.8%
Asian
Rochester
3.2%
Rockford
3.7%
Rockford +
Hispanic
Rochester
20.0%
Rockford
20.6%
Rockford +
Spanish at Home
Rochester
N/A
Rockford
N/A
| Metric | Rochester, NY | Rockford, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 209,720 | 147,649 | Rochester + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 33.5 | 37.5 | Rochester + |
| Foreign Born | 8.3% | 12.3% | Rockford + |
| White | 41.5% | 55.5% | Rockford + |
| Black | 37.5% | 21.8% | Rochester + |
| Asian | 3.2% | 3.7% | Rockford + |
| Hispanic | 20.0% | 20.6% | Rockford + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Rochester
$46,628
Rockford
$53,328
Rockford +
Per Capita Income
Rochester
$30,451
Rochester +
Rockford
$30,409
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Rochester
$77,425
Rochester +
Rockford
$68,110
Unemployment Rate
Rochester
7.9%
Rochester +
Rockford
8.6%
Poverty Rate
Rochester
26.6%
Rockford
21.9%
Rockford +
Bachelor's Degree+
Rochester
29.9%
Rochester +
Rockford
23.2%
| Metric | Rochester, NY | Rockford, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $46,628 | $53,328 | Rockford + |
| Per Capita Income | $30,451 | $30,409 | Rochester + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,425 | $68,110 | Rochester + |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.9% | 8.6% | Rochester + |
| Poverty Rate | 26.6% | 21.9% | Rockford + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 29.9% | 23.2% | Rochester + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Rochester
$241,627
Rockford
$180,220
Rockford +
Homeownership Rate
Rochester
37.2%
Rockford
53.8%
Rockford +
| Metric | Rochester, NY | Rockford, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $241,627 | $180,220 | Rockford + |
| Homeownership Rate | 37.2% | 53.8% | Rockford + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Rochester
434
Rockford
344
Rockford +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Rochester
1736
Rochester +
Rockford
1842
| Metric | Rochester, NY | Rockford, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 434 | 344 | Rockford + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1736 | 1842 | Rochester + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Rochester
38.0%
Rochester +
Rockford
44.7%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Rochester
14.3%
Rochester +
Rockford
15.4%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Rochester
18.8%
Rochester +
Rockford
19.0%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Rochester
10.9%
Rochester +
Rockford
14.0%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Rochester
16.3%
Rockford
15.5%
Rockford +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Rochester
16.6%
Rochester +
Rockford
18.1%
| Metric | Rochester, NY | Rockford, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 38.0% | 44.7% | Rochester + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 14.3% | 15.4% | Rochester + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.8% | 19.0% | Rochester + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 10.9% | 14.0% | Rochester + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.3% | 15.5% | Rockford + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 16.6% | 18.1% | Rochester + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Rochester
48.2°F
Rochester +
Rockford
49.2°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Rochester
34.3 in
Rochester +
Rockford
36.2 in
| Metric | Rochester, NY | Rockford, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 48.2°F | 49.2°F | Rochester + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 34.3 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, NY | 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
20.6 min
Rochester +
Rockford
22.7 min
| Metric | Rochester, NY | Rockford, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 20.6 min | 22.7 min | Rochester + |
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, Rockford is safer with a violent crime rate of 344 per 100,000 residents, compared to 434 in Rochester. Rochester has a lower unemployment rate at 7.9%, 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 38.0%.
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