Rockford IL vs Shreveport LA — 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%
Shreveport, LA
Louisiana · Population: 183,483
- Median HH Income$48,465
- Median Home Price$146,463
- Unemployment8.9%
- Bachelor's+27.5%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Rockford
147,649
Shreveport
183,483
Shreveport +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Rockford
N/A
Shreveport
N/A
Median Age
Rockford
37.5
Shreveport
37.5
Tie
Foreign Born
Rockford
12.3%
Rockford +
Shreveport
2.6%
White
Rockford
55.5%
Rockford +
Shreveport
36.5%
Black
Rockford
21.8%
Shreveport
56.1%
Shreveport +
Asian
Rockford
3.7%
Rockford +
Shreveport
1.5%
Hispanic
Rockford
20.6%
Rockford +
Shreveport
3.9%
Spanish at Home
Rockford
N/A
Shreveport
N/A
| Metric | Rockford, IL | Shreveport, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 147,649 | 183,483 | Shreveport + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 37.5 | 37.5 | Tie |
| Foreign Born | 12.3% | 2.6% | Rockford + |
| White | 55.5% | 36.5% | Rockford + |
| Black | 21.8% | 56.1% | Shreveport + |
| Asian | 3.7% | 1.5% | Rockford + |
| Hispanic | 20.6% | 3.9% | Rockford + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Rockford
$53,328
Rockford +
Shreveport
$48,465
Per Capita Income
Rockford
$30,409
Shreveport
$33,788
Shreveport +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Rockford
$68,110
Rockford +
Shreveport
$55,297
Unemployment Rate
Rockford
8.6%
Rockford +
Shreveport
8.9%
Poverty Rate
Rockford
21.9%
Rockford +
Shreveport
23.6%
Bachelor's Degree+
Rockford
23.2%
Shreveport
27.5%
Shreveport +
| Metric | Rockford, IL | Shreveport, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $53,328 | $48,465 | Rockford + |
| Per Capita Income | $30,409 | $33,788 | Shreveport + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $68,110 | $55,297 | Rockford + |
| Unemployment Rate | 8.6% | 8.9% | Rockford + |
| Poverty Rate | 21.9% | 23.6% | Rockford + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 23.2% | 27.5% | Shreveport + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Rockford
$180,220
Shreveport
$146,463
Shreveport +
Homeownership Rate
Rockford
53.8%
Rockford +
Shreveport
53.8%
| Metric | Rockford, IL | Shreveport, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $180,220 | $146,463 | Shreveport + |
| Homeownership Rate | 53.8% | 53.8% | Rockford + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Rockford
344
Rockford +
Shreveport
643
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Rockford
1842
Rockford +
Shreveport
2824
| Metric | Rockford, IL | Shreveport, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 344 | 643 | Rockford + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1842 | 2824 | Rockford + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Rockford
44.7%
Shreveport
43.1%
Shreveport +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Rockford
15.4%
Rockford +
Shreveport
17.6%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Rockford
19.0%
Rockford +
Shreveport
20.1%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Rockford
14.0%
Shreveport
9.6%
Shreveport +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Rockford
15.5%
Shreveport
14.5%
Shreveport +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Rockford
18.1%
Rockford +
Shreveport
19.1%
| Metric | Rockford, IL | Shreveport, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 44.7% | 43.1% | Shreveport + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 15.4% | 17.6% | Rockford + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.0% | 20.1% | Rockford + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 14.0% | 9.6% | Shreveport + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.5% | 14.5% | Shreveport + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 18.1% | 19.1% | Rockford + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Rockford
49.2°F
Shreveport
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Rockford
36.2 in
Rockford +
Shreveport
52.7 in
| Metric | Rockford, IL | Shreveport, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 49.2°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 36.2 in | 52.7 in | Rockford + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Rockford
9.4 µg/m³
Shreveport
8.9 µg/m³
Shreveport +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Rockford
55.0%
Shreveport
75.0%
Shreveport +
| Metric | Rockford, IL | Shreveport, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.4 µg/m³ | 8.9 µg/m³ | Shreveport + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Shreveport + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Rockford
22.7 min
Shreveport
20.5 min
Shreveport +
| Metric | Rockford, IL | Shreveport, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 22.7 min | 20.5 min | Shreveport + |
Which City is Right for You?
Rockford leads in median household income at $53,328, while shreveport offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $146,463. On public safety, Rockford is safer with a violent crime rate of 344 per 100,000 residents, compared to 643 in Shreveport. Rockford has a lower unemployment rate at 8.6%, and Shreveport has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Shreveport scores better with a lower obesity rate of 43.1%.
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