Rockford IL vs Springfield MO — 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, MO
Missouri · Population: 169,432
- Median HH Income$45,984
- Median Home Price$245,279
- Unemployment4.3%
- Bachelor's+30.3%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Rockford
147,649
Springfield
169,432
Springfield +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Rockford
N/A
Springfield
N/A
Median Age
Rockford
37.5
Springfield
33.6
Springfield +
Foreign Born
Rockford
12.3%
Rockford +
Springfield
3.8%
White
Rockford
55.5%
Springfield
85.2%
Springfield +
Black
Rockford
21.8%
Rockford +
Springfield
4.3%
Asian
Rockford
3.7%
Rockford +
Springfield
1.7%
Hispanic
Rockford
20.6%
Rockford +
Springfield
5.6%
Spanish at Home
Rockford
N/A
Springfield
N/A
| Metric | Rockford, IL | Springfield, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 147,649 | 169,432 | Springfield + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 37.5 | 33.6 | Springfield + |
| Foreign Born | 12.3% | 3.8% | Rockford + |
| White | 55.5% | 85.2% | Springfield + |
| Black | 21.8% | 4.3% | Rockford + |
| Asian | 3.7% | 1.7% | Rockford + |
| Hispanic | 20.6% | 5.6% | Rockford + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Rockford
$53,328
Rockford +
Springfield
$45,984
Per Capita Income
Rockford
$30,409
Springfield
$30,864
Springfield +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Rockford
$68,110
Rockford +
Springfield
$58,527
Unemployment Rate
Rockford
8.6%
Springfield
4.3%
Springfield +
Poverty Rate
Rockford
21.9%
Springfield
19.4%
Springfield +
Bachelor's Degree+
Rockford
23.2%
Springfield
30.3%
Springfield +
| Metric | Rockford, IL | Springfield, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $53,328 | $45,984 | Rockford + |
| Per Capita Income | $30,409 | $30,864 | Springfield + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $68,110 | $58,527 | Rockford + |
| Unemployment Rate | 8.6% | 4.3% | Springfield + |
| Poverty Rate | 21.9% | 19.4% | Springfield + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 23.2% | 30.3% | Springfield + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Rockford
$180,220
Rockford +
Springfield
$245,279
Homeownership Rate
Rockford
53.8%
Rockford +
Springfield
42.9%
| Metric | Rockford, IL | Springfield, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $180,220 | $245,279 | Rockford + |
| Homeownership Rate | 53.8% | 42.9% | Rockford + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Rockford
344
Rockford +
Springfield
501
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Rockford
1842
Rockford +
Springfield
2418
| Metric | Rockford, IL | Springfield, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 344 | 501 | Rockford + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1842 | 2418 | Rockford + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Rockford
44.7%
Springfield
37.7%
Springfield +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Rockford
15.4%
Springfield
11.1%
Springfield +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Rockford
19.0%
Rockford +
Springfield
20.0%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Rockford
14.0%
Springfield
10.0%
Springfield +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Rockford
15.5%
Rockford +
Springfield
15.6%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Rockford
18.1%
Springfield
17.1%
Springfield +
| Metric | Rockford, IL | Springfield, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 44.7% | 37.7% | Springfield + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 15.4% | 11.1% | Springfield + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.0% | 20.0% | Rockford + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 14.0% | 10.0% | Springfield + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.5% | 15.6% | Rockford + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 18.1% | 17.1% | Springfield + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Rockford
49.2°F
Rockford +
Springfield
56.3°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Rockford
36.2 in
Rockford +
Springfield
45.6 in
| Metric | Rockford, IL | Springfield, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 49.2°F | 56.3°F | Rockford + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 36.2 in | 45.6 in | Rockford + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Rockford
9.4 µg/m³
Springfield
9.3 µg/m³
Springfield +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Rockford
55.0%
Springfield
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Rockford, IL | Springfield, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.4 µg/m³ | 9.3 µg/m³ | Springfield + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 55.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Rockford
22.7 min
Springfield
19.5 min
Springfield +
| Metric | Rockford, IL | Springfield, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 22.7 min | 19.5 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, Rockford is safer with a violent crime rate of 344 per 100,000 residents, compared to 501 in Springfield. Springfield has a lower unemployment rate at 4.3%, and Springfield has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 9.3 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Springfield scores better with a lower obesity rate of 37.7%.
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