Rockford IL vs San Jose 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 Jose, CA
California · Population: 990,054
- Median HH Income$141,565
- Median Home Price$1,452,609
- Unemployment4.7%
- Bachelor's+46.5%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Rockford
147,649
San Jose
990,054
San Jose +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Rockford
N/A
San Jose
N/A
Median Age
Rockford
37.5
Rockford +
San Jose
38.1
Foreign Born
Rockford
12.3%
San Jose
41.6%
San Jose +
White
Rockford
55.5%
Rockford +
San Jose
29.0%
Black
Rockford
21.8%
Rockford +
San Jose
2.9%
Asian
Rockford
3.7%
San Jose
38.6%
San Jose +
Hispanic
Rockford
20.6%
San Jose
30.9%
San Jose +
Spanish at Home
Rockford
N/A
San Jose
N/A
| Metric | Rockford, IL | San Jose, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 147,649 | 990,054 | San Jose + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 37.5 | 38.1 | Rockford + |
| Foreign Born | 12.3% | 41.6% | San Jose + |
| White | 55.5% | 29.0% | Rockford + |
| Black | 21.8% | 2.9% | Rockford + |
| Asian | 3.7% | 38.6% | San Jose + |
| Hispanic | 20.6% | 30.9% | San Jose + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Rockford
$53,328
San Jose
$141,565
San Jose +
Per Capita Income
Rockford
$30,409
San Jose
$63,253
San Jose +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Rockford
$68,110
San Jose
$77,230
San Jose +
Unemployment Rate
Rockford
8.6%
San Jose
4.7%
San Jose +
Poverty Rate
Rockford
21.9%
San Jose
7.8%
San Jose +
Bachelor's Degree+
Rockford
23.2%
San Jose
46.5%
San Jose +
| Metric | Rockford, IL | San Jose, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $53,328 | $141,565 | San Jose + |
| Per Capita Income | $30,409 | $63,253 | San Jose + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $68,110 | $77,230 | San Jose + |
| Unemployment Rate | 8.6% | 4.7% | San Jose + |
| Poverty Rate | 21.9% | 7.8% | San Jose + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 23.2% | 46.5% | San Jose + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Rockford
$180,220
Rockford +
San Jose
$1,452,609
Homeownership Rate
Rockford
53.8%
San Jose
56.0%
San Jose +
| Metric | Rockford, IL | San Jose, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $180,220 | $1,452,609 | Rockford + |
| Homeownership Rate | 53.8% | 56.0% | San Jose + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Rockford
344
Rockford +
San Jose
503
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Rockford
1842
Rockford +
San Jose
2388
| Metric | Rockford, IL | San Jose, 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 Jose
23.7%
San Jose +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Rockford
15.4%
San Jose
11.1%
San Jose +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Rockford
19.0%
San Jose
14.9%
San Jose +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Rockford
14.0%
San Jose
9.1%
San Jose +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Rockford
15.5%
San Jose
13.0%
San Jose +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Rockford
18.1%
San Jose
9.4%
San Jose +
| Metric | Rockford, IL | San Jose, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 44.7% | 23.7% | San Jose + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 15.4% | 11.1% | San Jose + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.0% | 14.9% | San Jose + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 14.0% | 9.1% | San Jose + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.5% | 13.0% | San Jose + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 18.1% | 9.4% | San Jose + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Rockford
49.2°F
Rockford +
San Jose
61.5°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Rockford
36.2 in
San Jose
14.9 in
San Jose +
| Metric | Rockford, IL | San Jose, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 49.2°F | 61.5°F | Rockford + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 36.2 in | 14.9 in | San Jose + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Rockford
9.4 µg/m³
San Jose
7.9 µg/m³
San Jose +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Rockford
55.0%
San Jose
75.0%
San Jose +
| Metric | Rockford, IL | San Jose, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.4 µg/m³ | 7.9 µg/m³ | San Jose + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | San Jose + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Rockford
22.7 min
Rockford +
San Jose
30.4 min
| Metric | Rockford, IL | San Jose, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 22.7 min | 30.4 min | Rockford + |
Which City is Right for You?
San Jose leads in median household income at $141,565, 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 Jose. San Jose has a lower unemployment rate at 4.7%, and San Jose has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, San Jose scores better with a lower obesity rate of 23.7%.
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