Rockford IL vs Salinas CA — 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%
Salinas, CA
California · Population: 161,993
- Median HH Income$89,150
- Median Home Price$751,711
- Unemployment4.7%
- Bachelor's+15.5%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Rockford
147,649
Salinas
161,993
Salinas +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Rockford
N/A
Salinas
N/A
Median Age
Rockford
37.5
Salinas
32.1
Salinas +
Foreign Born
Rockford
12.3%
Salinas
36.3%
Salinas +
White
Rockford
55.5%
Rockford +
Salinas
21.8%
Black
Rockford
21.8%
Rockford +
Salinas
1.4%
Asian
Rockford
3.7%
Salinas
5.7%
Salinas +
Hispanic
Rockford
20.6%
Salinas
80.3%
Salinas +
Spanish at Home
Rockford
N/A
Salinas
N/A
| Metric | Rockford, IL | Salinas, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 147,649 | 161,993 | Salinas + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 37.5 | 32.1 | Salinas + |
| Foreign Born | 12.3% | 36.3% | Salinas + |
| White | 55.5% | 21.8% | Rockford + |
| Black | 21.8% | 1.4% | Rockford + |
| Asian | 3.7% | 5.7% | Salinas + |
| Hispanic | 20.6% | 80.3% | Salinas + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Rockford
$53,328
Salinas
$89,150
Salinas +
Per Capita Income
Rockford
$30,409
Rockford +
Salinas
$28,813
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Rockford
$68,110
Salinas
$77,230
Salinas +
Unemployment Rate
Rockford
8.6%
Salinas
4.7%
Salinas +
Poverty Rate
Rockford
21.9%
Salinas
14.2%
Salinas +
Bachelor's Degree+
Rockford
23.2%
Rockford +
Salinas
15.5%
| Metric | Rockford, IL | Salinas, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $53,328 | $89,150 | Salinas + |
| Per Capita Income | $30,409 | $28,813 | Rockford + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $68,110 | $77,230 | Salinas + |
| Unemployment Rate | 8.6% | 4.7% | Salinas + |
| Poverty Rate | 21.9% | 14.2% | Salinas + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 23.2% | 15.5% | Rockford + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Rockford
$180,220
Rockford +
Salinas
$751,711
Homeownership Rate
Rockford
53.8%
Rockford +
Salinas
47.0%
| Metric | Rockford, IL | Salinas, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $180,220 | $751,711 | Rockford + |
| Homeownership Rate | 53.8% | 47.0% | Rockford + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Rockford
344
Rockford +
Salinas
503
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Rockford
1842
Rockford +
Salinas
2388
| Metric | Rockford, IL | Salinas, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 344 | 503 | Rockford + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1842 | 2388 | Rockford + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Rockford
44.7%
Salinas
32.8%
Salinas +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Rockford
15.4%
Salinas
12.4%
Salinas +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Rockford
19.0%
Salinas
18.2%
Salinas +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Rockford
14.0%
Rockford +
Salinas
22.4%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Rockford
15.5%
Rockford +
Salinas
16.8%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Rockford
18.1%
Salinas
12.9%
Salinas +
| Metric | Rockford, IL | Salinas, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 44.7% | 32.8% | Salinas + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 15.4% | 12.4% | Salinas + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.0% | 18.2% | Salinas + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 14.0% | 22.4% | Rockford + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.5% | 16.8% | Rockford + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 18.1% | 12.9% | Salinas + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Rockford
49.2°F
Rockford +
Salinas
57.3°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Rockford
36.2 in
Salinas
15.5 in
Salinas +
| Metric | Rockford, IL | Salinas, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 49.2°F | 57.3°F | Rockford + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 36.2 in | 15.5 in | Salinas + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Rockford
9.4 µg/m³
Salinas
7.9 µg/m³
Salinas +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Rockford
55.0%
Salinas
75.0%
Salinas +
| Metric | Rockford, IL | Salinas, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.4 µg/m³ | 7.9 µg/m³ | Salinas + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Salinas + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Rockford
22.7 min
Rockford +
Salinas
28.8 min
| Metric | Rockford, IL | Salinas, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 22.7 min | 28.8 min | Rockford + |
Which City is Right for You?
Salinas leads in median household income at $89,150, 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 503 in Salinas. Salinas has a lower unemployment rate at 4.7%, and Salinas has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Salinas scores better with a lower obesity rate of 32.8%.
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