Rockford IL vs Springfield MA — 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, MA
Massachusetts · Population: 154,751
- Median HH Income$51,339
- Median Home Price$298,985
- Unemployment8.2%
- Bachelor's+19.7%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Rockford
147,649
Springfield
154,751
Springfield +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Rockford
N/A
Springfield
N/A
Median Age
Rockford
37.5
Springfield
33.7
Springfield +
Foreign Born
Rockford
12.3%
Rockford +
Springfield
10.2%
White
Rockford
55.5%
Rockford +
Springfield
40.8%
Black
Rockford
21.8%
Rockford +
Springfield
20.0%
Asian
Rockford
3.7%
Rockford +
Springfield
2.8%
Hispanic
Rockford
20.6%
Springfield
47.4%
Springfield +
Spanish at Home
Rockford
N/A
Springfield
N/A
| Metric | Rockford, IL | Springfield, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 147,649 | 154,751 | Springfield + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 37.5 | 33.7 | Springfield + |
| Foreign Born | 12.3% | 10.2% | Rockford + |
| White | 55.5% | 40.8% | Rockford + |
| Black | 21.8% | 20.0% | Rockford + |
| Asian | 3.7% | 2.8% | Rockford + |
| Hispanic | 20.6% | 47.4% | Springfield + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Rockford
$53,328
Rockford +
Springfield
$51,339
Per Capita Income
Rockford
$30,409
Rockford +
Springfield
$27,054
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Rockford
$68,110
Springfield
$85,405
Springfield +
Unemployment Rate
Rockford
8.6%
Springfield
8.2%
Springfield +
Poverty Rate
Rockford
21.9%
Rockford +
Springfield
25.3%
Bachelor's Degree+
Rockford
23.2%
Rockford +
Springfield
19.7%
| Metric | Rockford, IL | Springfield, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $53,328 | $51,339 | Rockford + |
| Per Capita Income | $30,409 | $27,054 | Rockford + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $68,110 | $85,405 | Springfield + |
| Unemployment Rate | 8.6% | 8.2% | Springfield + |
| Poverty Rate | 21.9% | 25.3% | Rockford + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 23.2% | 19.7% | Rockford + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Rockford
$180,220
Rockford +
Springfield
$298,985
Homeownership Rate
Rockford
53.8%
Rockford +
Springfield
49.5%
| Metric | Rockford, IL | Springfield, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $180,220 | $298,985 | Rockford + |
| Homeownership Rate | 53.8% | 49.5% | Rockford + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Rockford
344
Springfield
326
Springfield +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Rockford
1842
Springfield
1086
Springfield +
| Metric | Rockford, IL | Springfield, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 344 | 326 | Springfield + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1842 | 1086 | Springfield + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Rockford
44.7%
Springfield
39.6%
Springfield +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Rockford
15.4%
Springfield
14.8%
Springfield +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Rockford
19.0%
Rockford +
Springfield
21.1%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Rockford
14.0%
Springfield
13.7%
Springfield +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Rockford
15.5%
Springfield
15.1%
Springfield +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Rockford
18.1%
Springfield
17.5%
Springfield +
| Metric | Rockford, IL | Springfield, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 44.7% | 39.6% | Springfield + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 15.4% | 14.8% | Springfield + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.0% | 21.1% | Rockford + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 14.0% | 13.7% | Springfield + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.5% | 15.1% | Springfield + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 18.1% | 17.5% | 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
Springfield
N/A
| Metric | Rockford, IL | Springfield, MA | 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
Springfield
7.2 µg/m³
Springfield +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Rockford
55.0%
Springfield
75.0%
Springfield +
| Metric | Rockford, IL | Springfield, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.4 µg/m³ | 7.2 µg/m³ | Springfield + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Springfield + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Rockford
22.7 min
Springfield
22.6 min
Springfield +
| Metric | Rockford, IL | Springfield, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 22.7 min | 22.6 min | Springfield + |
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, Springfield is safer with a violent crime rate of 326 per 100,000 residents, compared to 344 in Rockford. Springfield has a lower unemployment rate at 8.2%, and Springfield has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Springfield scores better with a lower obesity rate of 39.6%.
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