Rockford IL vs San Francisco 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%
San Francisco, CA
California · Population: 836,321
- Median HH Income$141,446
- Median Home Price$1,369,171
- Unemployment5.6%
- Bachelor's+60.1%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Rockford
147,649
San Francisco
836,321
San Francisco +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Rockford
N/A
San Francisco
N/A
Median Age
Rockford
37.5
Rockford +
San Francisco
39.7
Foreign Born
Rockford
12.3%
San Francisco
34.2%
San Francisco +
White
Rockford
55.5%
Rockford +
San Francisco
40.5%
Black
Rockford
21.8%
Rockford +
San Francisco
5.1%
Asian
Rockford
3.7%
San Francisco
35.0%
San Francisco +
Hispanic
Rockford
20.6%
Rockford +
San Francisco
15.9%
Spanish at Home
Rockford
N/A
San Francisco
N/A
| Metric | Rockford, IL | San Francisco, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 147,649 | 836,321 | San Francisco + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 37.5 | 39.7 | Rockford + |
| Foreign Born | 12.3% | 34.2% | San Francisco + |
| White | 55.5% | 40.5% | Rockford + |
| Black | 21.8% | 5.1% | Rockford + |
| Asian | 3.7% | 35.0% | San Francisco + |
| Hispanic | 20.6% | 15.9% | Rockford + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Rockford
$53,328
San Francisco
$141,446
San Francisco +
Per Capita Income
Rockford
$30,409
San Francisco
$90,285
San Francisco +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Rockford
$68,110
San Francisco
$77,230
San Francisco +
Unemployment Rate
Rockford
8.6%
San Francisco
5.6%
San Francisco +
Poverty Rate
Rockford
21.9%
San Francisco
10.6%
San Francisco +
Bachelor's Degree+
Rockford
23.2%
San Francisco
60.1%
San Francisco +
| Metric | Rockford, IL | San Francisco, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $53,328 | $141,446 | San Francisco + |
| Per Capita Income | $30,409 | $90,285 | San Francisco + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $68,110 | $77,230 | San Francisco + |
| Unemployment Rate | 8.6% | 5.6% | San Francisco + |
| Poverty Rate | 21.9% | 10.6% | San Francisco + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 23.2% | 60.1% | San Francisco + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Rockford
$180,220
Rockford +
San Francisco
$1,369,171
Homeownership Rate
Rockford
53.8%
Rockford +
San Francisco
38.5%
| Metric | Rockford, IL | San Francisco, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $180,220 | $1,369,171 | Rockford + |
| Homeownership Rate | 53.8% | 38.5% | Rockford + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Rockford
344
Rockford +
San Francisco
503
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Rockford
1842
Rockford +
San Francisco
2388
| Metric | Rockford, IL | San Francisco, 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%
San Francisco
17.5%
San Francisco +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Rockford
15.4%
San Francisco
9.7%
San Francisco +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Rockford
19.0%
San Francisco
14.5%
San Francisco +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Rockford
14.0%
San Francisco
6.6%
San Francisco +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Rockford
15.5%
Rockford +
San Francisco
19.6%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Rockford
18.1%
San Francisco
9.1%
San Francisco +
| Metric | Rockford, IL | San Francisco, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 44.7% | 17.5% | San Francisco + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 15.4% | 9.7% | San Francisco + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.0% | 14.5% | San Francisco + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 14.0% | 6.6% | San Francisco + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.5% | 19.6% | Rockford + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 18.1% | 9.1% | San Francisco + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Rockford
49.2°F
Rockford +
San Francisco
55.3°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Rockford
36.2 in
San Francisco
20.7 in
San Francisco +
| Metric | Rockford, IL | San Francisco, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 49.2°F | 55.3°F | Rockford + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 36.2 in | 20.7 in | San Francisco + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Rockford
9.4 µg/m³
San Francisco
7.9 µg/m³
San Francisco +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Rockford
55.0%
San Francisco
75.0%
San Francisco +
| Metric | Rockford, IL | San Francisco, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.4 µg/m³ | 7.9 µg/m³ | San Francisco + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | San Francisco + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Rockford
22.7 min
Rockford +
San Francisco
33.9 min
| Metric | Rockford, IL | San Francisco, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 22.7 min | 33.9 min | Rockford + |
Which City is Right for You?
San Francisco leads in median household income at $141,446, 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 San Francisco. San Francisco has a lower unemployment rate at 5.6%, and San Francisco has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, San Francisco scores better with a lower obesity rate of 17.5%.
Compare More Cities
New York, NY vs Rockford, ILLos Angeles, CA vs Rockford, ILChicago, IL vs Rockford, ILHouston, TX vs Rockford, ILPhoenix, AZ vs Rockford, ILPhiladelphia, PA vs Rockford, IL