Rockford IL vs Santa Clarita 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 Clarita, CA
California · Population: 229,021
- Median HH Income$119,926
- Median Home Price$802,780
- Unemployment5.3%
- Bachelor's+39.3%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Rockford
147,649
Santa Clarita
229,021
Santa Clarita +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Rockford
N/A
Santa Clarita
N/A
Median Age
Rockford
37.5
Rockford +
Santa Clarita
38.1
Foreign Born
Rockford
12.3%
Santa Clarita
21.6%
Santa Clarita +
White
Rockford
55.5%
Rockford +
Santa Clarita
53.1%
Black
Rockford
21.8%
Rockford +
Santa Clarita
4.4%
Asian
Rockford
3.7%
Santa Clarita
11.4%
Santa Clarita +
Hispanic
Rockford
20.6%
Santa Clarita
36.0%
Santa Clarita +
Spanish at Home
Rockford
N/A
Santa Clarita
N/A
| Metric | Rockford, IL | Santa Clarita, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 147,649 | 229,021 | Santa Clarita + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 37.5 | 38.1 | Rockford + |
| Foreign Born | 12.3% | 21.6% | Santa Clarita + |
| White | 55.5% | 53.1% | Rockford + |
| Black | 21.8% | 4.4% | Rockford + |
| Asian | 3.7% | 11.4% | Santa Clarita + |
| Hispanic | 20.6% | 36.0% | Santa Clarita + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Rockford
$53,328
Santa Clarita
$119,926
Santa Clarita +
Per Capita Income
Rockford
$30,409
Santa Clarita
$49,571
Santa Clarita +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Rockford
$68,110
Santa Clarita
$77,230
Santa Clarita +
Unemployment Rate
Rockford
8.6%
Santa Clarita
5.3%
Santa Clarita +
Poverty Rate
Rockford
21.9%
Santa Clarita
7.7%
Santa Clarita +
Bachelor's Degree+
Rockford
23.2%
Santa Clarita
39.3%
Santa Clarita +
| Metric | Rockford, IL | Santa Clarita, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $53,328 | $119,926 | Santa Clarita + |
| Per Capita Income | $30,409 | $49,571 | Santa Clarita + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $68,110 | $77,230 | Santa Clarita + |
| Unemployment Rate | 8.6% | 5.3% | Santa Clarita + |
| Poverty Rate | 21.9% | 7.7% | Santa Clarita + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 23.2% | 39.3% | Santa Clarita + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Rockford
$180,220
Rockford +
Santa Clarita
$802,780
Homeownership Rate
Rockford
53.8%
Santa Clarita
72.0%
Santa Clarita +
| Metric | Rockford, IL | Santa Clarita, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $180,220 | $802,780 | Rockford + |
| Homeownership Rate | 53.8% | 72.0% | Santa Clarita + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Rockford
344
Rockford +
Santa Clarita
503
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Rockford
1842
Rockford +
Santa Clarita
2388
| Metric | Rockford, IL | Santa Clarita, 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 Clarita
24.7%
Santa Clarita +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Rockford
15.4%
Santa Clarita
9.8%
Santa Clarita +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Rockford
19.0%
Santa Clarita
16.0%
Santa Clarita +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Rockford
14.0%
Santa Clarita
8.0%
Santa Clarita +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Rockford
15.5%
Rockford +
Santa Clarita
16.9%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Rockford
18.1%
Santa Clarita
9.9%
Santa Clarita +
| Metric | Rockford, IL | Santa Clarita, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 44.7% | 24.7% | Santa Clarita + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 15.4% | 9.8% | Santa Clarita + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.0% | 16.0% | Santa Clarita + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 14.0% | 8.0% | Santa Clarita + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.5% | 16.9% | Rockford + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 18.1% | 9.9% | Santa Clarita + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Rockford
49.2°F
Santa Clarita
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Rockford
36.2 in
Santa Clarita
N/A
| Metric | Rockford, IL | Santa Clarita, CA | 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
Santa Clarita
7.9 µg/m³
Santa Clarita +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Rockford
55.0%
Santa Clarita
75.0%
Santa Clarita +
| Metric | Rockford, IL | Santa Clarita, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.4 µg/m³ | 7.9 µg/m³ | Santa Clarita + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Santa Clarita + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Rockford
22.7 min
Rockford +
Santa Clarita
37.4 min
| Metric | Rockford, IL | Santa Clarita, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 22.7 min | 37.4 min | Rockford + |
Which City is Right for You?
Santa Clarita leads in median household income at $119,926, 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 Clarita. Santa Clarita has a lower unemployment rate at 5.3%, and Santa Clarita has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Santa Clarita scores better with a lower obesity rate of 24.7%.
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