Rockford IL vs Saint Paul MN — 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%
Saint Paul, MN
Minnesota · Population: 307,762
- Median HH Income$73,055
- Median Home Price$297,021
- Unemployment4.9%
- Bachelor's+43.5%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Rockford
147,649
Saint Paul
307,762
Saint Paul +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Rockford
N/A
Saint Paul
N/A
Median Age
Rockford
37.5
Saint Paul
33.5
Saint Paul +
Foreign Born
Rockford
12.3%
Saint Paul
18.7%
Saint Paul +
White
Rockford
55.5%
Rockford +
Saint Paul
53.2%
Black
Rockford
21.8%
Rockford +
Saint Paul
16.2%
Asian
Rockford
3.7%
Saint Paul
17.9%
Saint Paul +
Hispanic
Rockford
20.6%
Rockford +
Saint Paul
9.1%
Spanish at Home
Rockford
N/A
Saint Paul
N/A
| Metric | Rockford, IL | Saint Paul, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 147,649 | 307,762 | Saint Paul + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 37.5 | 33.5 | Saint Paul + |
| Foreign Born | 12.3% | 18.7% | Saint Paul + |
| White | 55.5% | 53.2% | Rockford + |
| Black | 21.8% | 16.2% | Rockford + |
| Asian | 3.7% | 17.9% | Saint Paul + |
| Hispanic | 20.6% | 9.1% | Rockford + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Rockford
$53,328
Saint Paul
$73,055
Saint Paul +
Per Capita Income
Rockford
$30,409
Saint Paul
$41,594
Saint Paul +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Rockford
$68,110
Saint Paul
$69,467
Saint Paul +
Unemployment Rate
Rockford
8.6%
Saint Paul
4.9%
Saint Paul +
Poverty Rate
Rockford
21.9%
Saint Paul
15.8%
Saint Paul +
Bachelor's Degree+
Rockford
23.2%
Saint Paul
43.5%
Saint Paul +
| Metric | Rockford, IL | Saint Paul, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $53,328 | $73,055 | Saint Paul + |
| Per Capita Income | $30,409 | $41,594 | Saint Paul + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $68,110 | $69,467 | Saint Paul + |
| Unemployment Rate | 8.6% | 4.9% | Saint Paul + |
| Poverty Rate | 21.9% | 15.8% | Saint Paul + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 23.2% | 43.5% | Saint Paul + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Rockford
$180,220
Rockford +
Saint Paul
$297,021
Homeownership Rate
Rockford
53.8%
Rockford +
Saint Paul
53.2%
| Metric | Rockford, IL | Saint Paul, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $180,220 | $297,021 | Rockford + |
| Homeownership Rate | 53.8% | 53.2% | Rockford + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Rockford
344
Saint Paul
284
Saint Paul +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Rockford
1842
Rockford +
Saint Paul
1992
| Metric | Rockford, IL | Saint Paul, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 344 | 284 | Saint Paul + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1842 | 1992 | Rockford + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Rockford
44.7%
Saint Paul
N/A
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Rockford
15.4%
Saint Paul
N/A
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Rockford
19.0%
Saint Paul
N/A
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Rockford
14.0%
Saint Paul
N/A
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Rockford
15.5%
Saint Paul
N/A
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Rockford
18.1%
Saint Paul
N/A
| Metric | Rockford, IL | Saint Paul, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 44.7% | N/A | - |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 15.4% | N/A | - |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.0% | N/A | - |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 14.0% | N/A | - |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.5% | N/A | - |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 18.1% | N/A | - |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Rockford
49.2°F
Saint Paul
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Rockford
36.2 in
Saint Paul
N/A
| Metric | Rockford, IL | Saint Paul, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 49.2°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 36.2 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Rockford
9.4 µg/m³
Saint Paul
8.1 µg/m³
Saint Paul +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Rockford
55.0%
Saint Paul
75.0%
Saint Paul +
| Metric | Rockford, IL | Saint Paul, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.4 µg/m³ | 8.1 µg/m³ | Saint Paul + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Saint Paul + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Rockford
22.7 min
Rockford +
Saint Paul
24.1 min
| Metric | Rockford, IL | Saint Paul, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 22.7 min | 24.1 min | Rockford + |
Which City is Right for You?
Saint Paul leads in median household income at $73,055, while rockford offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $180,220. On public safety, Saint Paul is safer with a violent crime rate of 284 per 100,000 residents, compared to 344 in Rockford. Saint Paul has a lower unemployment rate at 4.9%, and Saint Paul has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.1 µg/m³).
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