Rockford IL vs Sandy UT — 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%
Sandy, UT
Utah · Population: 94,723
- Median HH Income$111,242
- Median Home Price$672,082
- Unemployment2.5%
- Bachelor's+45.7%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Rockford
147,649
Rockford +
Sandy
94,723
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Rockford
N/A
Sandy
N/A
Median Age
Rockford
37.5
Sandy
36.9
Sandy +
Foreign Born
Rockford
12.3%
Rockford +
Sandy
10.3%
White
Rockford
55.5%
Sandy
81.8%
Sandy +
Black
Rockford
21.8%
Rockford +
Sandy
0.8%
Asian
Rockford
3.7%
Rockford +
Sandy
3.5%
Hispanic
Rockford
20.6%
Rockford +
Sandy
11.3%
Spanish at Home
Rockford
N/A
Sandy
N/A
| Metric | Rockford, IL | Sandy, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 147,649 | 94,723 | Rockford + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 37.5 | 36.9 | Sandy + |
| Foreign Born | 12.3% | 10.3% | Rockford + |
| White | 55.5% | 81.8% | Sandy + |
| Black | 21.8% | 0.8% | Rockford + |
| Asian | 3.7% | 3.5% | Rockford + |
| Hispanic | 20.6% | 11.3% | Rockford + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Rockford
$53,328
Sandy
$111,242
Sandy +
Per Capita Income
Rockford
$30,409
Sandy
$50,592
Sandy +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Rockford
$68,110
Rockford +
Sandy
$60,713
Unemployment Rate
Rockford
8.6%
Sandy
2.5%
Sandy +
Poverty Rate
Rockford
21.9%
Sandy
5.5%
Sandy +
Bachelor's Degree+
Rockford
23.2%
Sandy
45.7%
Sandy +
| Metric | Rockford, IL | Sandy, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $53,328 | $111,242 | Sandy + |
| Per Capita Income | $30,409 | $50,592 | Sandy + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $68,110 | $60,713 | Rockford + |
| Unemployment Rate | 8.6% | 2.5% | Sandy + |
| Poverty Rate | 21.9% | 5.5% | Sandy + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 23.2% | 45.7% | Sandy + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Rockford
$180,220
Rockford +
Sandy
$672,082
Homeownership Rate
Rockford
53.8%
Sandy
75.9%
Sandy +
| Metric | Rockford, IL | Sandy, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $180,220 | $672,082 | Rockford + |
| Homeownership Rate | 53.8% | 75.9% | Sandy + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Rockford
344
Sandy
245
Sandy +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Rockford
1842
Rockford +
Sandy
1931
| Metric | Rockford, IL | Sandy, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 344 | 245 | Sandy + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1842 | 1931 | Rockford + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Rockford
44.7%
Sandy
28.5%
Sandy +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Rockford
15.4%
Sandy
8.4%
Sandy +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Rockford
19.0%
Sandy
16.5%
Sandy +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Rockford
14.0%
Sandy
8.7%
Sandy +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Rockford
15.5%
Sandy
15.2%
Sandy +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Rockford
18.1%
Sandy
7.4%
Sandy +
| Metric | Rockford, IL | Sandy, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 44.7% | 28.5% | Sandy + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 15.4% | 8.4% | Sandy + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.0% | 16.5% | Sandy + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 14.0% | 8.7% | Sandy + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.5% | 15.2% | Sandy + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 18.1% | 7.4% | Sandy + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Rockford
49.2°F
Sandy
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Rockford
36.2 in
Sandy
N/A
| Metric | Rockford, IL | Sandy, UT | 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
Sandy
7.0 µg/m³
Sandy +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Rockford
55.0%
Sandy
75.0%
Sandy +
| Metric | Rockford, IL | Sandy, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.4 µg/m³ | 7.0 µg/m³ | Sandy + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Sandy + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Rockford
22.7 min
Rockford +
Sandy
24.6 min
| Metric | Rockford, IL | Sandy, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 22.7 min | 24.6 min | Rockford + |
Which City is Right for You?
Sandy leads in median household income at $111,242, while rockford offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $180,220. On public safety, Sandy is safer with a violent crime rate of 245 per 100,000 residents, compared to 344 in Rockford. Sandy has a lower unemployment rate at 2.5%, and Sandy has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.0 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Sandy scores better with a lower obesity rate of 28.5%.
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