Rockford IL vs St. Petersburg FL — 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. Petersburg, FL
Florida · Population: 260,646
- Median HH Income$73,118
- Median Home Price$331,500
- Unemployment4.9%
- Bachelor's+41.3%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Rockford
147,649
St. Petersburg
260,646
St. Petersburg +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Rockford
N/A
St. Petersburg
N/A
Median Age
Rockford
37.5
Rockford +
St. Petersburg
43.1
Foreign Born
Rockford
12.3%
Rockford +
St. Petersburg
10.1%
White
Rockford
55.5%
St. Petersburg
66.2%
St. Petersburg +
Black
Rockford
21.8%
Rockford +
St. Petersburg
19.4%
Asian
Rockford
3.7%
Rockford +
St. Petersburg
3.1%
Hispanic
Rockford
20.6%
Rockford +
St. Petersburg
9.3%
Spanish at Home
Rockford
N/A
St. Petersburg
N/A
| Metric | Rockford, IL | St. Petersburg, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 147,649 | 260,646 | St. Petersburg + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 37.5 | 43.1 | Rockford + |
| Foreign Born | 12.3% | 10.1% | Rockford + |
| White | 55.5% | 66.2% | St. Petersburg + |
| Black | 21.8% | 19.4% | Rockford + |
| Asian | 3.7% | 3.1% | Rockford + |
| Hispanic | 20.6% | 9.3% | Rockford + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Rockford
$53,328
St. Petersburg
$73,118
St. Petersburg +
Per Capita Income
Rockford
$30,409
St. Petersburg
$49,823
St. Petersburg +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Rockford
$68,110
Rockford +
St. Petersburg
$65,328
Unemployment Rate
Rockford
8.6%
St. Petersburg
4.9%
St. Petersburg +
Poverty Rate
Rockford
21.9%
St. Petersburg
11.7%
St. Petersburg +
Bachelor's Degree+
Rockford
23.2%
St. Petersburg
41.3%
St. Petersburg +
| Metric | Rockford, IL | St. Petersburg, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $53,328 | $73,118 | St. Petersburg + |
| Per Capita Income | $30,409 | $49,823 | St. Petersburg + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $68,110 | $65,328 | Rockford + |
| Unemployment Rate | 8.6% | 4.9% | St. Petersburg + |
| Poverty Rate | 21.9% | 11.7% | St. Petersburg + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 23.2% | 41.3% | St. Petersburg + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Rockford
$180,220
Rockford +
St. Petersburg
$331,500
Homeownership Rate
Rockford
53.8%
St. Petersburg
63.0%
St. Petersburg +
| Metric | Rockford, IL | St. Petersburg, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $180,220 | $331,500 | Rockford + |
| Homeownership Rate | 53.8% | 63.0% | St. Petersburg + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Rockford
344
St. Petersburg
324
St. Petersburg +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Rockford
1842
St. Petersburg
1453
St. Petersburg +
| Metric | Rockford, IL | St. Petersburg, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 344 | 324 | St. Petersburg + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1842 | 1453 | St. Petersburg + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Rockford
44.7%
St. Petersburg
32.7%
St. Petersburg +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Rockford
15.4%
St. Petersburg
12.2%
St. Petersburg +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Rockford
19.0%
St. Petersburg
16.6%
St. Petersburg +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Rockford
14.0%
St. Petersburg
11.1%
St. Petersburg +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Rockford
15.5%
Rockford +
St. Petersburg
16.6%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Rockford
18.1%
St. Petersburg
12.4%
St. Petersburg +
| Metric | Rockford, IL | St. Petersburg, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 44.7% | 32.7% | St. Petersburg + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 15.4% | 12.2% | St. Petersburg + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.0% | 16.6% | St. Petersburg + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 14.0% | 11.1% | St. Petersburg + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.5% | 16.6% | Rockford + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 18.1% | 12.4% | St. Petersburg + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Rockford
49.2°F
St. Petersburg
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Rockford
36.2 in
St. Petersburg
N/A
| Metric | Rockford, IL | St. Petersburg, FL | 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. Petersburg
7.2 µg/m³
St. Petersburg +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Rockford
55.0%
St. Petersburg
75.0%
St. Petersburg +
| Metric | Rockford, IL | St. Petersburg, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.4 µg/m³ | 7.2 µg/m³ | St. Petersburg + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | St. Petersburg + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Rockford
22.7 min
Rockford +
St. Petersburg
26.8 min
| Metric | Rockford, IL | St. Petersburg, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 22.7 min | 26.8 min | Rockford + |
Which City is Right for You?
St. Petersburg leads in median household income at $73,118, while rockford offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $180,220. On public safety, St. Petersburg is safer with a violent crime rate of 324 per 100,000 residents, compared to 344 in Rockford. St. Petersburg has a lower unemployment rate at 4.9%, and St. Petersburg has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, St. Petersburg scores better with a lower obesity rate of 32.7%.
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