Rockford IL vs Springfield IL — 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%
Springfield, IL
Illinois · Population: 113,714
- Median HH Income$65,537
- Median Home Price$168,312
- Unemployment6.7%
- Bachelor's+35.1%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Rockford
147,649
Rockford +
Springfield
113,714
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Rockford
N/A
Springfield
N/A
Median Age
Rockford
37.5
Rockford +
Springfield
40.7
Foreign Born
Rockford
12.3%
Rockford +
Springfield
4.5%
White
Rockford
55.5%
Springfield
70.5%
Springfield +
Black
Rockford
21.8%
Rockford +
Springfield
19.8%
Asian
Rockford
3.7%
Rockford +
Springfield
2.9%
Hispanic
Rockford
20.6%
Rockford +
Springfield
3.4%
Spanish at Home
Rockford
N/A
Springfield
N/A
| Metric | Rockford, IL | Springfield, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 147,649 | 113,714 | Rockford + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 37.5 | 40.7 | Rockford + |
| Foreign Born | 12.3% | 4.5% | Rockford + |
| White | 55.5% | 70.5% | Springfield + |
| Black | 21.8% | 19.8% | Rockford + |
| Asian | 3.7% | 2.9% | Rockford + |
| Hispanic | 20.6% | 3.4% | Rockford + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Rockford
$53,328
Springfield
$65,537
Springfield +
Per Capita Income
Rockford
$30,409
Springfield
$41,110
Springfield +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Rockford
$68,110
Springfield
$68,110
Tie
Unemployment Rate
Rockford
8.6%
Springfield
6.7%
Springfield +
Poverty Rate
Rockford
21.9%
Springfield
16.5%
Springfield +
Bachelor's Degree+
Rockford
23.2%
Springfield
35.1%
Springfield +
| Metric | Rockford, IL | Springfield, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $53,328 | $65,537 | Springfield + |
| Per Capita Income | $30,409 | $41,110 | Springfield + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $68,110 | $68,110 | Tie |
| Unemployment Rate | 8.6% | 6.7% | Springfield + |
| Poverty Rate | 21.9% | 16.5% | Springfield + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 23.2% | 35.1% | Springfield + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Rockford
$180,220
Springfield
$168,312
Springfield +
Homeownership Rate
Rockford
53.8%
Springfield
63.4%
Springfield +
| Metric | Rockford, IL | Springfield, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $180,220 | $168,312 | Springfield + |
| Homeownership Rate | 53.8% | 63.4% | Springfield + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Rockford
344
Springfield
344
Tie
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Rockford
1842
Springfield
1842
Tie
| Metric | Rockford, IL | Springfield, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 344 | 344 | Tie |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1842 | 1842 | Tie |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Rockford
44.7%
Springfield
41.1%
Springfield +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Rockford
15.4%
Springfield
12.9%
Springfield +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Rockford
19.0%
Springfield
17.3%
Springfield +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Rockford
14.0%
Springfield
8.2%
Springfield +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Rockford
15.5%
Rockford +
Springfield
16.7%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Rockford
18.1%
Springfield
14.7%
Springfield +
| Metric | Rockford, IL | Springfield, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 44.7% | 41.1% | Springfield + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 15.4% | 12.9% | Springfield + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.0% | 17.3% | Springfield + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 14.0% | 8.2% | Springfield + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.5% | 16.7% | Rockford + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 18.1% | 14.7% | Springfield + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Rockford
49.2°F
Springfield
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Rockford
36.2 in
Rockford +
Springfield
37.7 in
| Metric | Rockford, IL | Springfield, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 49.2°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 36.2 in | 37.7 in | Rockford + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Rockford
9.4 µg/m³
Springfield
9.4 µg/m³
Tie
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Rockford
55.0%
Springfield
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Rockford, IL | Springfield, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.4 µg/m³ | 9.4 µg/m³ | Tie |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 55.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Rockford
22.7 min
Springfield
19.4 min
Springfield +
| Metric | Rockford, IL | Springfield, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 22.7 min | 19.4 min | Springfield + |
Which City is Right for You?
Springfield leads in median household income at $65,537, while springfield offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $168,312. On public safety, Springfield is safer with a violent crime rate of 344 per 100,000 residents, compared to 344 in Rockford. Springfield has a lower unemployment rate at 6.7%, and Springfield has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 9.4 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Springfield scores better with a lower obesity rate of 41.1%.
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