Rockford IL vs Round Rock TX — Cost of Living, Crime & Income Comparison 2026
Updated May 2026 · Source: US Census ACS 5-Year (2023), FBI CDE (2023), BLS OEWS (2024)
Rockford, IL
Illinois · Population: 147,649
- Median HH Income$53,328
- Median Home Price$180,220
- Unemployment8.6%
- Bachelor's+23.2%
Round Rock, TX
Texas · Population: 124,288
- Median HH Income$97,187
- Median Home Price$411,570
- Unemployment3.6%
- Bachelor's+43.6%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Rockford
147,649
Rockford +
Round Rock
124,288
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Rockford
N/A
Round Rock
N/A
Median Age
Rockford
37.5
Round Rock
36.2
Round Rock +
Foreign Born
Rockford
12.3%
Round Rock
15.5%
Round Rock +
White
Rockford
55.5%
Round Rock
58.3%
Round Rock +
Black
Rockford
21.8%
Rockford +
Round Rock
11.2%
Asian
Rockford
3.7%
Round Rock
7.3%
Round Rock +
Hispanic
Rockford
20.6%
Round Rock
29.1%
Round Rock +
Spanish at Home
Rockford
N/A
Round Rock
N/A
| Metric | Rockford, IL | Round Rock, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 147,649 | 124,288 | Rockford + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 37.5 | 36.2 | Round Rock + |
| Foreign Born | 12.3% | 15.5% | Round Rock + |
| White | 55.5% | 58.3% | Round Rock + |
| Black | 21.8% | 11.2% | Rockford + |
| Asian | 3.7% | 7.3% | Round Rock + |
| Hispanic | 20.6% | 29.1% | Round Rock + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Rockford
$53,328
Round Rock
$97,187
Round Rock +
Per Capita Income
Rockford
$30,409
Round Rock
$47,829
Round Rock +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Rockford
$68,110
Rockford +
Round Rock
$63,758
Unemployment Rate
Rockford
8.6%
Round Rock
3.6%
Round Rock +
Poverty Rate
Rockford
21.9%
Round Rock
7.7%
Round Rock +
Bachelor's Degree+
Rockford
23.2%
Round Rock
43.6%
Round Rock +
| Metric | Rockford, IL | Round Rock, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $53,328 | $97,187 | Round Rock + |
| Per Capita Income | $30,409 | $47,829 | Round Rock + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $68,110 | $63,758 | Rockford + |
| Unemployment Rate | 8.6% | 3.6% | Round Rock + |
| Poverty Rate | 21.9% | 7.7% | Round Rock + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 23.2% | 43.6% | Round Rock + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Rockford
$180,220
Rockford +
Round Rock
$411,570
Homeownership Rate
Rockford
53.8%
Round Rock
56.3%
Round Rock +
| Metric | Rockford, IL | Round Rock, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $180,220 | $411,570 | Rockford + |
| Homeownership Rate | 53.8% | 56.3% | Round Rock + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Rockford
344
Rockford +
Round Rock
442
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Rockford
1842
Rockford +
Round Rock
2339
| Metric | Rockford, IL | Round Rock, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 344 | 442 | Rockford + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1842 | 2339 | Rockford + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Rockford
44.7%
Round Rock
34.2%
Round Rock +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Rockford
15.4%
Round Rock
9.8%
Round Rock +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Rockford
19.0%
Round Rock
16.6%
Round Rock +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Rockford
14.0%
Rockford +
Round Rock
14.1%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Rockford
15.5%
Rockford +
Round Rock
17.3%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Rockford
18.1%
Round Rock
10.6%
Round Rock +
| Metric | Rockford, IL | Round Rock, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 44.7% | 34.2% | Round Rock + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 15.4% | 9.8% | Round Rock + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.0% | 16.6% | Round Rock + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 14.0% | 14.1% | Rockford + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.5% | 17.3% | Rockford + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 18.1% | 10.6% | Round Rock + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Rockford
49.2°F
Round Rock
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Rockford
36.2 in
Round Rock
35.7 in
Round Rock +
| Metric | Rockford, IL | Round Rock, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 49.2°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 36.2 in | 35.7 in | Round Rock + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Rockford
9.4 µg/m³
Round Rock
9.2 µg/m³
Round Rock +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Rockford
55.0%
Round Rock
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Rockford, IL | Round Rock, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.4 µg/m³ | 9.2 µg/m³ | Round Rock + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 55.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Rockford
22.7 min
Rockford +
Round Rock
26.1 min
| Metric | Rockford, IL | Round Rock, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 22.7 min | 26.1 min | Rockford + |
Which City is Right for You?
Round Rock leads in median household income at $97,187, 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 442 in Round Rock. Round Rock has a lower unemployment rate at 3.6%, and Round Rock has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 9.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Round Rock scores better with a lower obesity rate of 34.2%.
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