Rockford IL vs Sterling Heights MI — 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%
Sterling Heights, MI
Michigan · Population: 133,473
- Median HH Income$78,429
- Median Home Price$309,742
- Unemployment6.2%
- Bachelor's+31.2%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Rockford
147,649
Rockford +
Sterling Heights
133,473
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Rockford
N/A
Sterling Heights
N/A
Median Age
Rockford
37.5
Rockford +
Sterling Heights
41.5
Foreign Born
Rockford
12.3%
Sterling Heights
27.4%
Sterling Heights +
White
Rockford
55.5%
Sterling Heights
78.9%
Sterling Heights +
Black
Rockford
21.8%
Rockford +
Sterling Heights
6.6%
Asian
Rockford
3.7%
Sterling Heights
9.0%
Sterling Heights +
Hispanic
Rockford
20.6%
Rockford +
Sterling Heights
2.4%
Spanish at Home
Rockford
N/A
Sterling Heights
N/A
| Metric | Rockford, IL | Sterling Heights, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 147,649 | 133,473 | Rockford + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 37.5 | 41.5 | Rockford + |
| Foreign Born | 12.3% | 27.4% | Sterling Heights + |
| White | 55.5% | 78.9% | Sterling Heights + |
| Black | 21.8% | 6.6% | Rockford + |
| Asian | 3.7% | 9.0% | Sterling Heights + |
| Hispanic | 20.6% | 2.4% | Rockford + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Rockford
$53,328
Sterling Heights
$78,429
Sterling Heights +
Per Capita Income
Rockford
$30,409
Sterling Heights
$37,315
Sterling Heights +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Rockford
$68,110
Rockford +
Sterling Heights
$58,052
Unemployment Rate
Rockford
8.6%
Sterling Heights
6.2%
Sterling Heights +
Poverty Rate
Rockford
21.9%
Sterling Heights
10.6%
Sterling Heights +
Bachelor's Degree+
Rockford
23.2%
Sterling Heights
31.2%
Sterling Heights +
| Metric | Rockford, IL | Sterling Heights, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $53,328 | $78,429 | Sterling Heights + |
| Per Capita Income | $30,409 | $37,315 | Sterling Heights + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $68,110 | $58,052 | Rockford + |
| Unemployment Rate | 8.6% | 6.2% | Sterling Heights + |
| Poverty Rate | 21.9% | 10.6% | Sterling Heights + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 23.2% | 31.2% | Sterling Heights + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Rockford
$180,220
Rockford +
Sterling Heights
$309,742
Homeownership Rate
Rockford
53.8%
Sterling Heights
76.4%
Sterling Heights +
| Metric | Rockford, IL | Sterling Heights, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $180,220 | $309,742 | Rockford + |
| Homeownership Rate | 53.8% | 76.4% | Sterling Heights + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Rockford
344
Rockford +
Sterling Heights
471
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Rockford
1842
Sterling Heights
1590
Sterling Heights +
| Metric | Rockford, IL | Sterling Heights, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 344 | 471 | Rockford + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1842 | 1590 | Sterling Heights + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Rockford
44.7%
Sterling Heights
36.0%
Sterling Heights +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Rockford
15.4%
Sterling Heights
11.5%
Sterling Heights +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Rockford
19.0%
Sterling Heights
17.2%
Sterling Heights +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Rockford
14.0%
Sterling Heights
6.7%
Sterling Heights +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Rockford
15.5%
Rockford +
Sterling Heights
16.4%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Rockford
18.1%
Sterling Heights
15.3%
Sterling Heights +
| Metric | Rockford, IL | Sterling Heights, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 44.7% | 36.0% | Sterling Heights + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 15.4% | 11.5% | Sterling Heights + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.0% | 17.2% | Sterling Heights + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 14.0% | 6.7% | Sterling Heights + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.5% | 16.4% | Rockford + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 18.1% | 15.3% | Sterling Heights + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Rockford
49.2°F
Sterling Heights
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Rockford
36.2 in
Sterling Heights
N/A
| Metric | Rockford, IL | Sterling Heights, MI | 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
Rockford +
Sterling Heights
10.7 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Rockford
55.0%
Sterling Heights
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Rockford, IL | Sterling Heights, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.4 µg/m³ | 10.7 µg/m³ | Rockford + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 55.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Rockford
22.7 min
Rockford +
Sterling Heights
27.5 min
| Metric | Rockford, IL | Sterling Heights, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 22.7 min | 27.5 min | Rockford + |
Which City is Right for You?
Sterling Heights leads in median household income at $78,429, 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 471 in Sterling Heights. Sterling Heights has a lower unemployment rate at 6.2%, and Rockford has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 9.4 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Sterling Heights scores better with a lower obesity rate of 36.0%.
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