Rockford IL vs South Bend IN — 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%
South Bend, IN
Indiana · Population: 102,866
- Median HH Income$52,512
- Median Home Price$194,972
- Unemployment6.0%
- Bachelor's+29.4%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Rockford
147,649
Rockford +
South Bend
102,866
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Rockford
N/A
South Bend
N/A
Median Age
Rockford
37.5
South Bend
33.9
South Bend +
Foreign Born
Rockford
12.3%
Rockford +
South Bend
8.9%
White
Rockford
55.5%
Rockford +
South Bend
54.1%
Black
Rockford
21.8%
South Bend
24.4%
South Bend +
Asian
Rockford
3.7%
Rockford +
South Bend
1.7%
Hispanic
Rockford
20.6%
Rockford +
South Bend
17.3%
Spanish at Home
Rockford
N/A
South Bend
N/A
| Metric | Rockford, IL | South Bend, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 147,649 | 102,866 | Rockford + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 37.5 | 33.9 | South Bend + |
| Foreign Born | 12.3% | 8.9% | Rockford + |
| White | 55.5% | 54.1% | Rockford + |
| Black | 21.8% | 24.4% | South Bend + |
| Asian | 3.7% | 1.7% | Rockford + |
| Hispanic | 20.6% | 17.3% | Rockford + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Rockford
$53,328
Rockford +
South Bend
$52,512
Per Capita Income
Rockford
$30,409
Rockford +
South Bend
$29,511
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Rockford
$68,110
Rockford +
South Bend
$58,697
Unemployment Rate
Rockford
8.6%
South Bend
6.0%
South Bend +
Poverty Rate
Rockford
21.9%
Rockford +
South Bend
22.6%
Bachelor's Degree+
Rockford
23.2%
South Bend
29.4%
South Bend +
| Metric | Rockford, IL | South Bend, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $53,328 | $52,512 | Rockford + |
| Per Capita Income | $30,409 | $29,511 | Rockford + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $68,110 | $58,697 | Rockford + |
| Unemployment Rate | 8.6% | 6.0% | South Bend + |
| Poverty Rate | 21.9% | 22.6% | Rockford + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 23.2% | 29.4% | South Bend + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Rockford
$180,220
Rockford +
South Bend
$194,972
Homeownership Rate
Rockford
53.8%
South Bend
58.8%
South Bend +
| Metric | Rockford, IL | South Bend, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $180,220 | $194,972 | Rockford + |
| Homeownership Rate | 53.8% | 58.8% | South Bend + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Rockford
344
Rockford +
South Bend
370
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Rockford
1842
South Bend
1719
South Bend +
| Metric | Rockford, IL | South Bend, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 344 | 370 | Rockford + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1842 | 1719 | South Bend + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Rockford
44.7%
South Bend
39.7%
South Bend +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Rockford
15.4%
South Bend
15.2%
South Bend +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Rockford
19.0%
Rockford +
South Bend
20.3%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Rockford
14.0%
South Bend
12.6%
South Bend +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Rockford
15.5%
South Bend
15.3%
South Bend +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Rockford
18.1%
Rockford +
South Bend
18.2%
| Metric | Rockford, IL | South Bend, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 44.7% | 39.7% | South Bend + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 15.4% | 15.2% | South Bend + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.0% | 20.3% | Rockford + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 14.0% | 12.6% | South Bend + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.5% | 15.3% | South Bend + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 18.1% | 18.2% | Rockford + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Rockford
49.2°F
Rockford +
South Bend
49.8°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Rockford
36.2 in
Rockford +
South Bend
38.0 in
| Metric | Rockford, IL | South Bend, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 49.2°F | 49.8°F | Rockford + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 36.2 in | 38.0 in | Rockford + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Rockford
9.4 µg/m³
Rockford +
South Bend
10.1 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Rockford
55.0%
South Bend
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Rockford, IL | South Bend, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.4 µg/m³ | 10.1 µg/m³ | Rockford + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 55.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Rockford
22.7 min
South Bend
21.6 min
South Bend +
| Metric | Rockford, IL | South Bend, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 22.7 min | 21.6 min | South Bend + |
Which City is Right for You?
Rockford leads in median household income at $53,328, 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 370 in South Bend. South Bend has a lower unemployment rate at 6.0%, and Rockford has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 9.4 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, South Bend scores better with a lower obesity rate of 39.7%.
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