Rockford IL vs San Antonio 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%
San Antonio, TX
Texas · Population: 1,458,954
- Median HH Income$62,917
- Median Home Price$251,035
- Unemployment5.8%
- Bachelor's+28.7%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Rockford
147,649
San Antonio
1,458,954
San Antonio +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Rockford
N/A
San Antonio
N/A
Median Age
Rockford
37.5
San Antonio
34.6
San Antonio +
Foreign Born
Rockford
12.3%
San Antonio
14.3%
San Antonio +
White
Rockford
55.5%
Rockford +
San Antonio
48.3%
Black
Rockford
21.8%
Rockford +
San Antonio
7.0%
Asian
Rockford
3.7%
Rockford +
San Antonio
3.1%
Hispanic
Rockford
20.6%
San Antonio
64.4%
San Antonio +
Spanish at Home
Rockford
N/A
San Antonio
N/A
| Metric | Rockford, IL | San Antonio, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 147,649 | 1,458,954 | San Antonio + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 37.5 | 34.6 | San Antonio + |
| Foreign Born | 12.3% | 14.3% | San Antonio + |
| White | 55.5% | 48.3% | Rockford + |
| Black | 21.8% | 7.0% | Rockford + |
| Asian | 3.7% | 3.1% | Rockford + |
| Hispanic | 20.6% | 64.4% | San Antonio + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Rockford
$53,328
San Antonio
$62,917
San Antonio +
Per Capita Income
Rockford
$30,409
San Antonio
$32,983
San Antonio +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Rockford
$68,110
Rockford +
San Antonio
$63,758
Unemployment Rate
Rockford
8.6%
San Antonio
5.8%
San Antonio +
Poverty Rate
Rockford
21.9%
San Antonio
17.1%
San Antonio +
Bachelor's Degree+
Rockford
23.2%
San Antonio
28.7%
San Antonio +
| Metric | Rockford, IL | San Antonio, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $53,328 | $62,917 | San Antonio + |
| Per Capita Income | $30,409 | $32,983 | San Antonio + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $68,110 | $63,758 | Rockford + |
| Unemployment Rate | 8.6% | 5.8% | San Antonio + |
| Poverty Rate | 21.9% | 17.1% | San Antonio + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 23.2% | 28.7% | San Antonio + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Rockford
$180,220
Rockford +
San Antonio
$251,035
Homeownership Rate
Rockford
53.8%
Rockford +
San Antonio
52.4%
| Metric | Rockford, IL | San Antonio, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $180,220 | $251,035 | Rockford + |
| Homeownership Rate | 53.8% | 52.4% | Rockford + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Rockford
344
Rockford +
San Antonio
442
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Rockford
1842
Rockford +
San Antonio
2339
| Metric | Rockford, IL | San Antonio, 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%
San Antonio
34.9%
San Antonio +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Rockford
15.4%
San Antonio
15.2%
San Antonio +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Rockford
19.0%
San Antonio
17.2%
San Antonio +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Rockford
14.0%
Rockford +
San Antonio
24.5%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Rockford
15.5%
Rockford +
San Antonio
16.0%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Rockford
18.1%
San Antonio
13.0%
San Antonio +
| Metric | Rockford, IL | San Antonio, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 44.7% | 34.9% | San Antonio + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 15.4% | 15.2% | San Antonio + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.0% | 17.2% | San Antonio + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 14.0% | 24.5% | Rockford + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.5% | 16.0% | Rockford + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 18.1% | 13.0% | San Antonio + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Rockford
49.2°F
Rockford +
San Antonio
68.5°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Rockford
36.2 in
San Antonio
34.9 in
San Antonio +
| Metric | Rockford, IL | San Antonio, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 49.2°F | 68.5°F | Rockford + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 36.2 in | 34.9 in | San Antonio + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Rockford
9.4 µg/m³
San Antonio
9.2 µg/m³
San Antonio +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Rockford
55.0%
San Antonio
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Rockford, IL | San Antonio, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.4 µg/m³ | 9.2 µg/m³ | San Antonio + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 55.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Rockford
22.7 min
Rockford +
San Antonio
26.5 min
| Metric | Rockford, IL | San Antonio, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 22.7 min | 26.5 min | Rockford + |
Which City is Right for You?
San Antonio leads in median household income at $62,917, 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 San Antonio. San Antonio has a lower unemployment rate at 5.8%, and San Antonio has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 9.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, San Antonio scores better with a lower obesity rate of 34.9%.
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