Rockford IL vs Santa Ana 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%
Santa Ana, CA
California · Population: 91,535
- Median HH Income$109,739
- Median Home Price$865,610
- Unemployment6.1%
- Bachelor's+68.9%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Rockford
147,649
Rockford +
Santa Ana
91,535
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Rockford
N/A
Santa Ana
N/A
Median Age
Rockford
37.5
Rockford +
Santa Ana
42.9
Foreign Born
Rockford
12.3%
Santa Ana
23.2%
Santa Ana +
White
Rockford
55.5%
Santa Ana
66.9%
Santa Ana +
Black
Rockford
21.8%
Rockford +
Santa Ana
4.9%
Asian
Rockford
3.7%
Santa Ana
9.8%
Santa Ana +
Hispanic
Rockford
20.6%
Rockford +
Santa Ana
16.4%
Spanish at Home
Rockford
N/A
Santa Ana
N/A
| Metric | Rockford, IL | Santa Ana, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 147,649 | 91,535 | Rockford + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 37.5 | 42.9 | Rockford + |
| Foreign Born | 12.3% | 23.2% | Santa Ana + |
| White | 55.5% | 66.9% | Santa Ana + |
| Black | 21.8% | 4.9% | Rockford + |
| Asian | 3.7% | 9.8% | Santa Ana + |
| Hispanic | 20.6% | 16.4% | Rockford + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Rockford
$53,328
Santa Ana
$109,739
Santa Ana +
Per Capita Income
Rockford
$30,409
Santa Ana
$90,657
Santa Ana +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Rockford
$68,110
Santa Ana
$77,230
Santa Ana +
Unemployment Rate
Rockford
8.6%
Santa Ana
6.1%
Santa Ana +
Poverty Rate
Rockford
21.9%
Santa Ana
11.6%
Santa Ana +
Bachelor's Degree+
Rockford
23.2%
Santa Ana
68.9%
Santa Ana +
| Metric | Rockford, IL | Santa Ana, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $53,328 | $109,739 | Santa Ana + |
| Per Capita Income | $30,409 | $90,657 | Santa Ana + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $68,110 | $77,230 | Santa Ana + |
| Unemployment Rate | 8.6% | 6.1% | Santa Ana + |
| Poverty Rate | 21.9% | 11.6% | Santa Ana + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 23.2% | 68.9% | Santa Ana + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Rockford
$180,220
Rockford +
Santa Ana
$865,610
Homeownership Rate
Rockford
53.8%
Rockford +
Santa Ana
28.8%
| Metric | Rockford, IL | Santa Ana, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $180,220 | $865,610 | Rockford + |
| Homeownership Rate | 53.8% | 28.8% | Rockford + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Rockford
344
Rockford +
Santa Ana
503
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Rockford
1842
Rockford +
Santa Ana
2388
| Metric | Rockford, IL | Santa Ana, 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%
Santa Ana
29.0%
Santa Ana +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Rockford
15.4%
Santa Ana
13.0%
Santa Ana +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Rockford
19.0%
Santa Ana
18.7%
Santa Ana +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Rockford
14.0%
Rockford +
Santa Ana
20.7%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Rockford
15.5%
Rockford +
Santa Ana
15.7%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Rockford
18.1%
Santa Ana
11.6%
Santa Ana +
| Metric | Rockford, IL | Santa Ana, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 44.7% | 29.0% | Santa Ana + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 15.4% | 13.0% | Santa Ana + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.0% | 18.7% | Santa Ana + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 14.0% | 20.7% | Rockford + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.5% | 15.7% | Rockford + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 18.1% | 11.6% | Santa Ana + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Rockford
49.2°F
Rockford +
Santa Ana
65.6°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Rockford
36.2 in
Santa Ana
13.6 in
Santa Ana +
| Metric | Rockford, IL | Santa Ana, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 49.2°F | 65.6°F | Rockford + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 36.2 in | 13.6 in | Santa Ana + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Rockford
9.4 µg/m³
Santa Ana
7.9 µg/m³
Santa Ana +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Rockford
55.0%
Santa Ana
75.0%
Santa Ana +
| Metric | Rockford, IL | Santa Ana, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.4 µg/m³ | 7.9 µg/m³ | Santa Ana + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Santa Ana + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Rockford
22.7 min
Rockford +
Santa Ana
28.0 min
| Metric | Rockford, IL | Santa Ana, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 22.7 min | 28.0 min | Rockford + |
Which City is Right for You?
Santa Ana leads in median household income at $109,739, 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 Santa Ana. Santa Ana has a lower unemployment rate at 6.1%, and Santa Ana has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Santa Ana scores better with a lower obesity rate of 29.0%.
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