Rockford IL vs Sugar Land TX — 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%
Sugar Land, TX
Texas · Population: 109,735
- Median HH Income$137,511
- Median Home Price$449,058
- Unemployment4.5%
- Bachelor's+62.4%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Rockford
147,649
Rockford +
Sugar Land
109,735
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Rockford
N/A
Sugar Land
N/A
Median Age
Rockford
37.5
Rockford +
Sugar Land
42.5
Foreign Born
Rockford
12.3%
Sugar Land
35.3%
Sugar Land +
White
Rockford
55.5%
Rockford +
Sugar Land
40.6%
Black
Rockford
21.8%
Rockford +
Sugar Land
7.7%
Asian
Rockford
3.7%
Sugar Land
39.5%
Sugar Land +
Hispanic
Rockford
20.6%
Rockford +
Sugar Land
12.3%
Spanish at Home
Rockford
N/A
Sugar Land
N/A
| Metric | Rockford, IL | Sugar Land, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 147,649 | 109,735 | Rockford + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 37.5 | 42.5 | Rockford + |
| Foreign Born | 12.3% | 35.3% | Sugar Land + |
| White | 55.5% | 40.6% | Rockford + |
| Black | 21.8% | 7.7% | Rockford + |
| Asian | 3.7% | 39.5% | Sugar Land + |
| Hispanic | 20.6% | 12.3% | Rockford + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Rockford
$53,328
Sugar Land
$137,511
Sugar Land +
Per Capita Income
Rockford
$30,409
Sugar Land
$60,258
Sugar Land +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Rockford
$68,110
Rockford +
Sugar Land
$63,758
Unemployment Rate
Rockford
8.6%
Sugar Land
4.5%
Sugar Land +
Poverty Rate
Rockford
21.9%
Sugar Land
5.1%
Sugar Land +
Bachelor's Degree+
Rockford
23.2%
Sugar Land
62.4%
Sugar Land +
| Metric | Rockford, IL | Sugar Land, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $53,328 | $137,511 | Sugar Land + |
| Per Capita Income | $30,409 | $60,258 | Sugar Land + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $68,110 | $63,758 | Rockford + |
| Unemployment Rate | 8.6% | 4.5% | Sugar Land + |
| Poverty Rate | 21.9% | 5.1% | Sugar Land + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 23.2% | 62.4% | Sugar Land + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Rockford
$180,220
Rockford +
Sugar Land
$449,058
Homeownership Rate
Rockford
53.8%
Sugar Land
80.1%
Sugar Land +
| Metric | Rockford, IL | Sugar Land, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $180,220 | $449,058 | Rockford + |
| Homeownership Rate | 53.8% | 80.1% | Sugar Land + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Rockford
344
Rockford +
Sugar Land
442
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Rockford
1842
Rockford +
Sugar Land
2339
| Metric | Rockford, IL | Sugar Land, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 344 | 442 | Rockford + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1842 | 2339 | Rockford + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Rockford
44.7%
Sugar Land
24.8%
Sugar Land +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Rockford
15.4%
Sugar Land
12.2%
Sugar Land +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Rockford
19.0%
Sugar Land
12.2%
Sugar Land +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Rockford
14.0%
Sugar Land
8.5%
Sugar Land +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Rockford
15.5%
Sugar Land
13.6%
Sugar Land +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Rockford
18.1%
Sugar Land
8.2%
Sugar Land +
| Metric | Rockford, IL | Sugar Land, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 44.7% | 24.8% | Sugar Land + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 15.4% | 12.2% | Sugar Land + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.0% | 12.2% | Sugar Land + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 14.0% | 8.5% | Sugar Land + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.5% | 13.6% | Sugar Land + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 18.1% | 8.2% | Sugar Land + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Rockford
49.2°F
Rockford +
Sugar Land
71.3°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Rockford
36.2 in
Rockford +
Sugar Land
50.4 in
| Metric | Rockford, IL | Sugar Land, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 49.2°F | 71.3°F | Rockford + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 36.2 in | 50.4 in | Rockford + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Rockford
9.4 µg/m³
Sugar Land
9.2 µg/m³
Sugar Land +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Rockford
55.0%
Sugar Land
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Rockford, IL | Sugar Land, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.4 µg/m³ | 9.2 µg/m³ | Sugar Land + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 55.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Rockford
22.7 min
Rockford +
Sugar Land
31.6 min
| Metric | Rockford, IL | Sugar Land, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 22.7 min | 31.6 min | Rockford + |
Which City is Right for You?
Sugar Land leads in median household income at $137,511, 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 442 in Sugar Land. Sugar Land has a lower unemployment rate at 4.5%, and Sugar Land has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 9.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Sugar Land scores better with a lower obesity rate of 24.8%.
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