Rockford IL vs Spokane Valley WA — 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%
Spokane Valley, WA
Washington · Population: 105,460
- Median HH Income$70,722
- Median Home Price$414,734
- Unemployment5.9%
- Bachelor's+24.8%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Rockford
147,649
Rockford +
Spokane Valley
105,460
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Rockford
N/A
Spokane Valley
N/A
Median Age
Rockford
37.5
Rockford +
Spokane Valley
37.6
Foreign Born
Rockford
12.3%
Rockford +
Spokane Valley
5.1%
White
Rockford
55.5%
Spokane Valley
85.1%
Spokane Valley +
Black
Rockford
21.8%
Rockford +
Spokane Valley
1.4%
Asian
Rockford
3.7%
Rockford +
Spokane Valley
1.7%
Hispanic
Rockford
20.6%
Rockford +
Spokane Valley
7.5%
Spanish at Home
Rockford
N/A
Spokane Valley
N/A
| Metric | Rockford, IL | Spokane Valley, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 147,649 | 105,460 | Rockford + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 37.5 | 37.6 | Rockford + |
| Foreign Born | 12.3% | 5.1% | Rockford + |
| White | 55.5% | 85.1% | Spokane Valley + |
| Black | 21.8% | 1.4% | Rockford + |
| Asian | 3.7% | 1.7% | Rockford + |
| Hispanic | 20.6% | 7.5% | Rockford + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Rockford
$53,328
Spokane Valley
$70,722
Spokane Valley +
Per Capita Income
Rockford
$30,409
Spokane Valley
$35,235
Spokane Valley +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Rockford
$68,110
Spokane Valley
$76,120
Spokane Valley +
Unemployment Rate
Rockford
8.6%
Spokane Valley
5.9%
Spokane Valley +
Poverty Rate
Rockford
21.9%
Spokane Valley
12.9%
Spokane Valley +
Bachelor's Degree+
Rockford
23.2%
Spokane Valley
24.8%
Spokane Valley +
| Metric | Rockford, IL | Spokane Valley, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $53,328 | $70,722 | Spokane Valley + |
| Per Capita Income | $30,409 | $35,235 | Spokane Valley + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $68,110 | $76,120 | Spokane Valley + |
| Unemployment Rate | 8.6% | 5.9% | Spokane Valley + |
| Poverty Rate | 21.9% | 12.9% | Spokane Valley + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 23.2% | 24.8% | Spokane Valley + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Rockford
$180,220
Rockford +
Spokane Valley
$414,734
Homeownership Rate
Rockford
53.8%
Spokane Valley
57.5%
Spokane Valley +
| Metric | Rockford, IL | Spokane Valley, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $180,220 | $414,734 | Rockford + |
| Homeownership Rate | 53.8% | 57.5% | Spokane Valley + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Rockford
344
Rockford +
Spokane Valley
383
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Rockford
1842
Rockford +
Spokane Valley
3409
| Metric | Rockford, IL | Spokane Valley, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 344 | 383 | Rockford + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1842 | 3409 | Rockford + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Rockford
44.7%
Spokane Valley
35.1%
Spokane Valley +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Rockford
15.4%
Spokane Valley
10.5%
Spokane Valley +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Rockford
19.0%
Spokane Valley
18.1%
Spokane Valley +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Rockford
14.0%
Spokane Valley
7.7%
Spokane Valley +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Rockford
15.5%
Rockford +
Spokane Valley
17.2%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Rockford
18.1%
Spokane Valley
12.4%
Spokane Valley +
| Metric | Rockford, IL | Spokane Valley, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 44.7% | 35.1% | Spokane Valley + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 15.4% | 10.5% | Spokane Valley + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.0% | 18.1% | Spokane Valley + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 14.0% | 7.7% | Spokane Valley + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.5% | 17.2% | Rockford + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 18.1% | 12.4% | Spokane Valley + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Rockford
49.2°F
Spokane Valley
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Rockford
36.2 in
Spokane Valley
N/A
| Metric | Rockford, IL | Spokane Valley, WA | 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
Spokane Valley
7.5 µg/m³
Spokane Valley +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Rockford
55.0%
Spokane Valley
75.0%
Spokane Valley +
| Metric | Rockford, IL | Spokane Valley, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.4 µg/m³ | 7.5 µg/m³ | Spokane Valley + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Spokane Valley + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Rockford
22.7 min
Spokane Valley
22.4 min
Spokane Valley +
| Metric | Rockford, IL | Spokane Valley, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 22.7 min | 22.4 min | Spokane Valley + |
Which City is Right for You?
Spokane Valley leads in median household income at $70,722, 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 383 in Spokane Valley. Spokane Valley has a lower unemployment rate at 5.9%, and Spokane Valley has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.5 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Spokane Valley scores better with a lower obesity rate of 35.1%.
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