Rockford IL vs Tacoma WA — 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%
Tacoma, WA
Washington · Population: 220,482
- Median HH Income$83,857
- Median Home Price$496,966
- Unemployment5.3%
- Bachelor's+33.5%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Rockford
147,649
Tacoma
220,482
Tacoma +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Rockford
N/A
Tacoma
N/A
Median Age
Rockford
37.5
Tacoma
37.3
Tacoma +
Foreign Born
Rockford
12.3%
Rockford +
Tacoma
12.2%
White
Rockford
55.5%
Tacoma
59.4%
Tacoma +
Black
Rockford
21.8%
Rockford +
Tacoma
10.5%
Asian
Rockford
3.7%
Tacoma
8.8%
Tacoma +
Hispanic
Rockford
20.6%
Rockford +
Tacoma
13.1%
Spanish at Home
Rockford
N/A
Tacoma
N/A
| Metric | Rockford, IL | Tacoma, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 147,649 | 220,482 | Tacoma + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 37.5 | 37.3 | Tacoma + |
| Foreign Born | 12.3% | 12.2% | Rockford + |
| White | 55.5% | 59.4% | Tacoma + |
| Black | 21.8% | 10.5% | Rockford + |
| Asian | 3.7% | 8.8% | Tacoma + |
| Hispanic | 20.6% | 13.1% | Rockford + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Rockford
$53,328
Tacoma
$83,857
Tacoma +
Per Capita Income
Rockford
$30,409
Tacoma
$44,756
Tacoma +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Rockford
$68,110
Tacoma
$76,120
Tacoma +
Unemployment Rate
Rockford
8.6%
Tacoma
5.3%
Tacoma +
Poverty Rate
Rockford
21.9%
Tacoma
12.0%
Tacoma +
Bachelor's Degree+
Rockford
23.2%
Tacoma
33.5%
Tacoma +
| Metric | Rockford, IL | Tacoma, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $53,328 | $83,857 | Tacoma + |
| Per Capita Income | $30,409 | $44,756 | Tacoma + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $68,110 | $76,120 | Tacoma + |
| Unemployment Rate | 8.6% | 5.3% | Tacoma + |
| Poverty Rate | 21.9% | 12.0% | Tacoma + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 23.2% | 33.5% | Tacoma + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Rockford
$180,220
Rockford +
Tacoma
$496,966
Homeownership Rate
Rockford
53.8%
Tacoma
56.5%
Tacoma +
| Metric | Rockford, IL | Tacoma, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $180,220 | $496,966 | Rockford + |
| Homeownership Rate | 53.8% | 56.5% | Tacoma + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Rockford
344
Rockford +
Tacoma
383
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Rockford
1842
Rockford +
Tacoma
3409
| Metric | Rockford, IL | Tacoma, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 344 | 383 | Rockford + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1842 | 3409 | Rockford + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Rockford
44.7%
Tacoma
37.3%
Tacoma +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Rockford
15.4%
Tacoma
10.9%
Tacoma +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Rockford
19.0%
Tacoma
18.7%
Tacoma +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Rockford
14.0%
Tacoma
9.3%
Tacoma +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Rockford
15.5%
Rockford +
Tacoma
16.8%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Rockford
18.1%
Tacoma
11.9%
Tacoma +
| Metric | Rockford, IL | Tacoma, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 44.7% | 37.3% | Tacoma + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 15.4% | 10.9% | Tacoma + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.0% | 18.7% | Tacoma + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 14.0% | 9.3% | Tacoma + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.5% | 16.8% | Rockford + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 18.1% | 11.9% | Tacoma + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Rockford
49.2°F
Rockford +
Tacoma
53.5°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Rockford
36.2 in
Rockford +
Tacoma
39.2 in
| Metric | Rockford, IL | Tacoma, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 49.2°F | 53.5°F | Rockford + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 36.2 in | 39.2 in | Rockford + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Rockford
9.4 µg/m³
Tacoma
7.5 µg/m³
Tacoma +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Rockford
55.0%
Tacoma
75.0%
Tacoma +
| Metric | Rockford, IL | Tacoma, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.4 µg/m³ | 7.5 µg/m³ | Tacoma + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Tacoma + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Rockford
22.7 min
Rockford +
Tacoma
31.1 min
| Metric | Rockford, IL | Tacoma, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 22.7 min | 31.1 min | Rockford + |
Which City is Right for You?
Tacoma leads in median household income at $83,857, 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 383 in Tacoma. Tacoma has a lower unemployment rate at 5.3%, and Tacoma has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.5 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Tacoma scores better with a lower obesity rate of 37.3%.
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