Rockford IL vs St. Charles 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%
St. Charles, MO
Missouri · Population: 71,542
- Median HH Income$55,578
- Median Home Price$144,200
- Unemployment4.7%
- Bachelor's+22.7%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Rockford
147,649
Rockford +
St. Charles
71,542
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Rockford
N/A
St. Charles
N/A
Median Age
Rockford
37.5
Rockford +
St. Charles
37.9
Foreign Born
Rockford
12.3%
Rockford +
St. Charles
4.2%
White
Rockford
55.5%
St. Charles
80.4%
St. Charles +
Black
Rockford
21.8%
Rockford +
St. Charles
6.7%
Asian
Rockford
3.7%
Rockford +
St. Charles
1.4%
Hispanic
Rockford
20.6%
Rockford +
St. Charles
7.7%
Spanish at Home
Rockford
N/A
St. Charles
N/A
| Metric | Rockford, IL | St. Charles, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 147,649 | 71,542 | Rockford + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 37.5 | 37.9 | Rockford + |
| Foreign Born | 12.3% | 4.2% | Rockford + |
| White | 55.5% | 80.4% | St. Charles + |
| Black | 21.8% | 6.7% | Rockford + |
| Asian | 3.7% | 1.4% | Rockford + |
| Hispanic | 20.6% | 7.7% | Rockford + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Rockford
$53,328
St. Charles
$55,578
St. Charles +
Per Capita Income
Rockford
$30,409
St. Charles
$31,499
St. Charles +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Rockford
$68,110
Rockford +
St. Charles
$58,527
Unemployment Rate
Rockford
8.6%
St. Charles
4.7%
St. Charles +
Poverty Rate
Rockford
21.9%
St. Charles
18.7%
St. Charles +
Bachelor's Degree+
Rockford
23.2%
Rockford +
St. Charles
22.7%
| Metric | Rockford, IL | St. Charles, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $53,328 | $55,578 | St. Charles + |
| Per Capita Income | $30,409 | $31,499 | St. Charles + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $68,110 | $58,527 | Rockford + |
| Unemployment Rate | 8.6% | 4.7% | St. Charles + |
| Poverty Rate | 21.9% | 18.7% | St. Charles + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 23.2% | 22.7% | Rockford + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Rockford
$180,220
St. Charles
$144,200
St. Charles +
Homeownership Rate
Rockford
53.8%
St. Charles
61.4%
St. Charles +
| Metric | Rockford, IL | St. Charles, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $180,220 | $144,200 | St. Charles + |
| Homeownership Rate | 53.8% | 61.4% | St. Charles + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Rockford
344
Rockford +
St. Charles
501
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Rockford
1842
Rockford +
St. Charles
2418
| Metric | Rockford, IL | St. Charles, 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%
St. Charles
35.9%
St. Charles +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Rockford
15.4%
St. Charles
10.4%
St. Charles +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Rockford
19.0%
St. Charles
16.0%
St. Charles +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Rockford
14.0%
St. Charles
7.1%
St. Charles +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Rockford
15.5%
Rockford +
St. Charles
18.4%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Rockford
18.1%
St. Charles
12.5%
St. Charles +
| Metric | Rockford, IL | St. Charles, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 44.7% | 35.9% | St. Charles + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 15.4% | 10.4% | St. Charles + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.0% | 16.0% | St. Charles + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 14.0% | 7.1% | St. Charles + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.5% | 18.4% | Rockford + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 18.1% | 12.5% | St. Charles + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Rockford
49.2°F
St. Charles
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Rockford
36.2 in
St. Charles
N/A
| Metric | Rockford, IL | St. Charles, MO | 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
St. Charles
9.3 µg/m³
St. Charles +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Rockford
55.0%
St. Charles
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Rockford, IL | St. Charles, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.4 µg/m³ | 9.3 µg/m³ | St. Charles + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 55.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Rockford
22.7 min
St. Charles
18.3 min
St. Charles +
| Metric | Rockford, IL | St. Charles, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 22.7 min | 18.3 min | St. Charles + |
Which City is Right for You?
St. Charles leads in median household income at $55,578, while st. Charles offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $144,200. On public safety, Rockford is safer with a violent crime rate of 344 per 100,000 residents, compared to 501 in St. Charles. St. Charles has a lower unemployment rate at 4.7%, and St. Charles has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 9.3 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, St. Charles scores better with a lower obesity rate of 35.9%.
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