Rockford IL vs Stamford CT — 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%
Stamford, CT
Connecticut · Population: 135,806
- Median HH Income$107,474
- Median Home Price$708,498
- Unemployment4.9%
- Bachelor's+51.7%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Rockford
147,649
Rockford +
Stamford
135,806
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Rockford
N/A
Stamford
N/A
Median Age
Rockford
37.5
Rockford +
Stamford
38.2
Foreign Born
Rockford
12.3%
Stamford
31.8%
Stamford +
White
Rockford
55.5%
Rockford +
Stamford
49.1%
Black
Rockford
21.8%
Rockford +
Stamford
19.9%
Asian
Rockford
3.7%
Stamford
7.1%
Stamford +
Hispanic
Rockford
20.6%
Stamford
28.1%
Stamford +
Spanish at Home
Rockford
N/A
Stamford
N/A
| Metric | Rockford, IL | Stamford, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 147,649 | 135,806 | Rockford + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 37.5 | 38.2 | Rockford + |
| Foreign Born | 12.3% | 31.8% | Stamford + |
| White | 55.5% | 49.1% | Rockford + |
| Black | 21.8% | 19.9% | Rockford + |
| Asian | 3.7% | 7.1% | Stamford + |
| Hispanic | 20.6% | 28.1% | Stamford + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Rockford
$53,328
Stamford
$107,474
Stamford +
Per Capita Income
Rockford
$30,409
Stamford
$64,382
Stamford +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Rockford
$68,110
Stamford
$85,393
Stamford +
Unemployment Rate
Rockford
8.6%
Stamford
4.9%
Stamford +
Poverty Rate
Rockford
21.9%
Stamford
9.5%
Stamford +
Bachelor's Degree+
Rockford
23.2%
Stamford
51.7%
Stamford +
| Metric | Rockford, IL | Stamford, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $53,328 | $107,474 | Stamford + |
| Per Capita Income | $30,409 | $64,382 | Stamford + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $68,110 | $85,393 | Stamford + |
| Unemployment Rate | 8.6% | 4.9% | Stamford + |
| Poverty Rate | 21.9% | 9.5% | Stamford + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 23.2% | 51.7% | Stamford + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Rockford
$180,220
Rockford +
Stamford
$708,498
Homeownership Rate
Rockford
53.8%
Rockford +
Stamford
47.5%
| Metric | Rockford, IL | Stamford, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $180,220 | $708,498 | Rockford + |
| Homeownership Rate | 53.8% | 47.5% | Rockford + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Rockford
344
Stamford
156
Stamford +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Rockford
1842
Stamford
1524
Stamford +
| Metric | Rockford, IL | Stamford, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 344 | 156 | Stamford + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1842 | 1524 | Stamford + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Rockford
44.7%
Stamford
25.5%
Stamford +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Rockford
15.4%
Stamford
8.6%
Stamford +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Rockford
19.0%
Stamford
14.4%
Stamford +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Rockford
14.0%
Stamford
12.3%
Stamford +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Rockford
15.5%
Rockford +
Stamford
16.4%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Rockford
18.1%
Stamford
8.7%
Stamford +
| Metric | Rockford, IL | Stamford, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 44.7% | 25.5% | Stamford + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 15.4% | 8.6% | Stamford + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.0% | 14.4% | Stamford + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 14.0% | 12.3% | Stamford + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.5% | 16.4% | Rockford + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 18.1% | 8.7% | Stamford + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Rockford
49.2°F
Rockford +
Stamford
52.3°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Rockford
36.2 in
Rockford +
Stamford
53.2 in
| Metric | Rockford, IL | Stamford, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 49.2°F | 52.3°F | Rockford + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 36.2 in | 53.2 in | Rockford + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Rockford
9.4 µg/m³
Stamford
7.7 µg/m³
Stamford +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Rockford
55.0%
Stamford
75.0%
Stamford +
| Metric | Rockford, IL | Stamford, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.4 µg/m³ | 7.7 µg/m³ | Stamford + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Stamford + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Rockford
22.7 min
Rockford +
Stamford
30.1 min
| Metric | Rockford, IL | Stamford, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 22.7 min | 30.1 min | Rockford + |
Which City is Right for You?
Stamford leads in median household income at $107,474, while rockford offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $180,220. On public safety, Stamford is safer with a violent crime rate of 156 per 100,000 residents, compared to 344 in Rockford. Stamford has a lower unemployment rate at 4.9%, and Stamford has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.7 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Stamford scores better with a lower obesity rate of 25.5%.
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