Rockford IL vs Spokane 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, WA
Washington · Population: 229,228
- Median HH Income$65,745
- Median Home Price$400,636
- Unemployment6.0%
- Bachelor's+32.6%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Rockford
147,649
Spokane
229,228
Spokane +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Rockford
N/A
Spokane
N/A
Median Age
Rockford
37.5
Spokane
37.2
Spokane +
Foreign Born
Rockford
12.3%
Rockford +
Spokane
6.1%
White
Rockford
55.5%
Spokane
81.0%
Spokane +
Black
Rockford
21.8%
Rockford +
Spokane
2.7%
Asian
Rockford
3.7%
Rockford +
Spokane
2.9%
Hispanic
Rockford
20.6%
Rockford +
Spokane
7.8%
Spanish at Home
Rockford
N/A
Spokane
N/A
| Metric | Rockford, IL | Spokane, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 147,649 | 229,228 | Spokane + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 37.5 | 37.2 | Spokane + |
| Foreign Born | 12.3% | 6.1% | Rockford + |
| White | 55.5% | 81.0% | Spokane + |
| Black | 21.8% | 2.7% | Rockford + |
| Asian | 3.7% | 2.9% | Rockford + |
| Hispanic | 20.6% | 7.8% | Rockford + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Rockford
$53,328
Spokane
$65,745
Spokane +
Per Capita Income
Rockford
$30,409
Spokane
$38,200
Spokane +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Rockford
$68,110
Spokane
$76,120
Spokane +
Unemployment Rate
Rockford
8.6%
Spokane
6.0%
Spokane +
Poverty Rate
Rockford
21.9%
Spokane
14.6%
Spokane +
Bachelor's Degree+
Rockford
23.2%
Spokane
32.6%
Spokane +
| Metric | Rockford, IL | Spokane, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $53,328 | $65,745 | Spokane + |
| Per Capita Income | $30,409 | $38,200 | Spokane + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $68,110 | $76,120 | Spokane + |
| Unemployment Rate | 8.6% | 6.0% | Spokane + |
| Poverty Rate | 21.9% | 14.6% | Spokane + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 23.2% | 32.6% | Spokane + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Rockford
$180,220
Rockford +
Spokane
$400,636
Homeownership Rate
Rockford
53.8%
Spokane
58.3%
Spokane +
| Metric | Rockford, IL | Spokane, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $180,220 | $400,636 | Rockford + |
| Homeownership Rate | 53.8% | 58.3% | Spokane + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Rockford
344
Rockford +
Spokane
383
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Rockford
1842
Rockford +
Spokane
3409
| Metric | Rockford, IL | Spokane, 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
35.3%
Spokane +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Rockford
15.4%
Spokane
10.3%
Spokane +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Rockford
19.0%
Spokane
18.6%
Spokane +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Rockford
14.0%
Spokane
8.2%
Spokane +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Rockford
15.5%
Rockford +
Spokane
17.5%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Rockford
18.1%
Spokane
12.7%
Spokane +
| Metric | Rockford, IL | Spokane, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 44.7% | 35.3% | Spokane + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 15.4% | 10.3% | Spokane + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.0% | 18.6% | Spokane + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 14.0% | 8.2% | Spokane + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.5% | 17.5% | Rockford + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 18.1% | 12.7% | Spokane + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Rockford
49.2°F
Spokane
46.1°F
Spokane +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Rockford
36.2 in
Spokane
17.1 in
Spokane +
| Metric | Rockford, IL | Spokane, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 49.2°F | 46.1°F | Spokane + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 36.2 in | 17.1 in | Spokane + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Rockford
9.4 µg/m³
Spokane
7.5 µg/m³
Spokane +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Rockford
55.0%
Spokane
75.0%
Spokane +
| Metric | Rockford, IL | Spokane, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.4 µg/m³ | 7.5 µg/m³ | Spokane + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Spokane + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Rockford
22.7 min
Spokane
22.6 min
Spokane +
| Metric | Rockford, IL | Spokane, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 22.7 min | 22.6 min | Spokane + |
Which City is Right for You?
Spokane leads in median household income at $65,745, 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. Spokane has a lower unemployment rate at 6.0%, and Spokane has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.5 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Spokane scores better with a lower obesity rate of 35.3%.
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