Rockford IL vs Springdale AR — 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%
Springdale, AR
Arkansas · Population: N/A
- Median HH IncomeN/A
- Median Home Price$339,383
- UnemploymentN/A
- Bachelor's+N/A
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Rockford
147,649
Springdale
N/A
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Rockford
N/A
Springdale
N/A
Median Age
Rockford
37.5
Springdale
N/A
Foreign Born
Rockford
12.3%
Springdale
N/A
White
Rockford
55.5%
Springdale
N/A
Black
Rockford
21.8%
Springdale
N/A
Asian
Rockford
3.7%
Springdale
N/A
Hispanic
Rockford
20.6%
Springdale
N/A
Spanish at Home
Rockford
N/A
Springdale
N/A
| Metric | Rockford, IL | Springdale, AR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 147,649 | N/A | - |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 37.5 | N/A | - |
| Foreign Born | 12.3% | N/A | - |
| White | 55.5% | N/A | - |
| Black | 21.8% | N/A | - |
| Asian | 3.7% | N/A | - |
| Hispanic | 20.6% | N/A | - |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Rockford
$53,328
Springdale
N/A
Per Capita Income
Rockford
$30,409
Springdale
N/A
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Rockford
$68,110
Rockford +
Springdale
$53,714
Unemployment Rate
Rockford
8.6%
Springdale
N/A
Poverty Rate
Rockford
21.9%
Springdale
N/A
Bachelor's Degree+
Rockford
23.2%
Springdale
N/A
| Metric | Rockford, IL | Springdale, AR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $53,328 | N/A | - |
| Per Capita Income | $30,409 | N/A | - |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $68,110 | $53,714 | Rockford + |
| Unemployment Rate | 8.6% | N/A | - |
| Poverty Rate | 21.9% | N/A | - |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 23.2% | N/A | - |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Rockford
$180,220
Rockford +
Springdale
$339,383
Homeownership Rate
Rockford
53.8%
Springdale
N/A
| Metric | Rockford, IL | Springdale, AR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $180,220 | $339,383 | Rockford + |
| Homeownership Rate | 53.8% | N/A | - |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Rockford
344
Rockford +
Springdale
660
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Rockford
1842
Rockford +
Springdale
2507
| Metric | Rockford, IL | Springdale, AR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 344 | 660 | Rockford + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1842 | 2507 | Rockford + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Rockford
44.7%
Springdale
39.5%
Springdale +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Rockford
15.4%
Springdale
12.3%
Springdale +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Rockford
19.0%
Rockford +
Springdale
19.4%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Rockford
14.0%
Rockford +
Springdale
21.6%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Rockford
15.5%
Springdale
15.3%
Springdale +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Rockford
18.1%
Springdale
16.0%
Springdale +
| Metric | Rockford, IL | Springdale, AR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 44.7% | 39.5% | Springdale + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 15.4% | 12.3% | Springdale + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.0% | 19.4% | Rockford + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 14.0% | 21.6% | Rockford + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.5% | 15.3% | Springdale + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 18.1% | 16.0% | Springdale + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Rockford
49.2°F
Rockford +
Springdale
56.6°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Rockford
36.2 in
Rockford +
Springdale
47.9 in
| Metric | Rockford, IL | Springdale, AR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 49.2°F | 56.6°F | Rockford + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 36.2 in | 47.9 in | Rockford + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Rockford
9.4 µg/m³
Rockford +
Springdale
9.5 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Rockford
55.0%
Springdale
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Rockford, IL | Springdale, AR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.4 µg/m³ | 9.5 µg/m³ | Rockford + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 55.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Rockford
22.7 min
Springdale
N/A
| Metric | Rockford, IL | Springdale, AR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 22.7 min | N/A | - |
Which City is Right for You?
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 660 in Springdale. Rockford has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 9.4 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Springdale scores better with a lower obesity rate of 39.5%.
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