Rockford IL vs Stockton CA — 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%
Stockton, CA
California · Population: 320,470
- Median HH Income$76,851
- Median Home Price$431,297
- Unemployment8.0%
- Bachelor's+19.1%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Rockford
147,649
Stockton
320,470
Stockton +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Rockford
N/A
Stockton
N/A
Median Age
Rockford
37.5
Stockton
33.7
Stockton +
Foreign Born
Rockford
12.3%
Stockton
25.9%
Stockton +
White
Rockford
55.5%
Rockford +
Stockton
26.6%
Black
Rockford
21.8%
Rockford +
Stockton
11.6%
Asian
Rockford
3.7%
Stockton
21.1%
Stockton +
Hispanic
Rockford
20.6%
Stockton
45.2%
Stockton +
Spanish at Home
Rockford
N/A
Stockton
N/A
| Metric | Rockford, IL | Stockton, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 147,649 | 320,470 | Stockton + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 37.5 | 33.7 | Stockton + |
| Foreign Born | 12.3% | 25.9% | Stockton + |
| White | 55.5% | 26.6% | Rockford + |
| Black | 21.8% | 11.6% | Rockford + |
| Asian | 3.7% | 21.1% | Stockton + |
| Hispanic | 20.6% | 45.2% | Stockton + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Rockford
$53,328
Stockton
$76,851
Stockton +
Per Capita Income
Rockford
$30,409
Stockton
$31,279
Stockton +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Rockford
$68,110
Stockton
$77,230
Stockton +
Unemployment Rate
Rockford
8.6%
Stockton
8.0%
Stockton +
Poverty Rate
Rockford
21.9%
Stockton
15.4%
Stockton +
Bachelor's Degree+
Rockford
23.2%
Rockford +
Stockton
19.1%
| Metric | Rockford, IL | Stockton, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $53,328 | $76,851 | Stockton + |
| Per Capita Income | $30,409 | $31,279 | Stockton + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $68,110 | $77,230 | Stockton + |
| Unemployment Rate | 8.6% | 8.0% | Stockton + |
| Poverty Rate | 21.9% | 15.4% | Stockton + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 23.2% | 19.1% | Rockford + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Rockford
$180,220
Rockford +
Stockton
$431,297
Homeownership Rate
Rockford
53.8%
Rockford +
Stockton
53.2%
| Metric | Rockford, IL | Stockton, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $180,220 | $431,297 | Rockford + |
| Homeownership Rate | 53.8% | 53.2% | Rockford + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Rockford
344
Rockford +
Stockton
503
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Rockford
1842
Rockford +
Stockton
2388
| Metric | Rockford, IL | Stockton, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 344 | 503 | Rockford + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1842 | 2388 | Rockford + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Rockford
44.7%
Stockton
31.8%
Stockton +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Rockford
15.4%
Stockton
13.5%
Stockton +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Rockford
19.0%
Stockton
18.1%
Stockton +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Rockford
14.0%
Rockford +
Stockton
15.0%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Rockford
15.5%
Stockton
13.3%
Stockton +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Rockford
18.1%
Stockton
13.8%
Stockton +
| Metric | Rockford, IL | Stockton, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 44.7% | 31.8% | Stockton + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 15.4% | 13.5% | Stockton + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.0% | 18.1% | Stockton + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 14.0% | 15.0% | Rockford + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.5% | 13.3% | Stockton + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 18.1% | 13.8% | Stockton + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Rockford
49.2°F
Rockford +
Stockton
62.2°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Rockford
36.2 in
Stockton
17.8 in
Stockton +
| Metric | Rockford, IL | Stockton, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 49.2°F | 62.2°F | Rockford + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 36.2 in | 17.8 in | Stockton + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Rockford
9.4 µg/m³
Stockton
7.9 µg/m³
Stockton +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Rockford
55.0%
Stockton
75.0%
Stockton +
| Metric | Rockford, IL | Stockton, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.4 µg/m³ | 7.9 µg/m³ | Stockton + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Stockton + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Rockford
22.7 min
Rockford +
Stockton
33.2 min
| Metric | Rockford, IL | Stockton, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 22.7 min | 33.2 min | Rockford + |
Which City is Right for You?
Stockton leads in median household income at $76,851, 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 503 in Stockton. Stockton has a lower unemployment rate at 8.0%, and Stockton has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Stockton scores better with a lower obesity rate of 31.8%.
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