Rockford IL vs Tempe AZ — 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%
Tempe, AZ
Arizona · Population: 186,419
- Median HH Income$77,643
- Median Home Price$468,328
- Unemployment5.7%
- Bachelor's+49.5%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Rockford
147,649
Tempe
186,419
Tempe +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Rockford
N/A
Tempe
N/A
Median Age
Rockford
37.5
Tempe
29.9
Tempe +
Foreign Born
Rockford
12.3%
Tempe
13.9%
Tempe +
White
Rockford
55.5%
Tempe
60.1%
Tempe +
Black
Rockford
21.8%
Rockford +
Tempe
7.8%
Asian
Rockford
3.7%
Tempe
9.5%
Tempe +
Hispanic
Rockford
20.6%
Tempe
23.1%
Tempe +
Spanish at Home
Rockford
N/A
Tempe
N/A
| Metric | Rockford, IL | Tempe, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 147,649 | 186,419 | Tempe + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 37.5 | 29.9 | Tempe + |
| Foreign Born | 12.3% | 13.9% | Tempe + |
| White | 55.5% | 60.1% | Tempe + |
| Black | 21.8% | 7.8% | Rockford + |
| Asian | 3.7% | 9.5% | Tempe + |
| Hispanic | 20.6% | 23.1% | Tempe + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Rockford
$53,328
Tempe
$77,643
Tempe +
Per Capita Income
Rockford
$30,409
Tempe
$42,371
Tempe +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Rockford
$68,110
Rockford +
Tempe
$59,120
Unemployment Rate
Rockford
8.6%
Tempe
5.7%
Tempe +
Poverty Rate
Rockford
21.9%
Tempe
16.2%
Tempe +
Bachelor's Degree+
Rockford
23.2%
Tempe
49.5%
Tempe +
| Metric | Rockford, IL | Tempe, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $53,328 | $77,643 | Tempe + |
| Per Capita Income | $30,409 | $42,371 | Tempe + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $68,110 | $59,120 | Rockford + |
| Unemployment Rate | 8.6% | 5.7% | Tempe + |
| Poverty Rate | 21.9% | 16.2% | Tempe + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 23.2% | 49.5% | Tempe + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Rockford
$180,220
Rockford +
Tempe
$468,328
Homeownership Rate
Rockford
53.8%
Rockford +
Tempe
41.6%
| Metric | Rockford, IL | Tempe, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $180,220 | $468,328 | Rockford + |
| Homeownership Rate | 53.8% | 41.6% | Rockford + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Rockford
344
Rockford +
Tempe
450
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Rockford
1842
Rockford +
Tempe
2150
| Metric | Rockford, IL | Tempe, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 344 | 450 | Rockford + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1842 | 2150 | Rockford + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Rockford
44.7%
Tempe
27.2%
Tempe +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Rockford
15.4%
Tempe
7.2%
Tempe +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Rockford
19.0%
Tempe
16.6%
Tempe +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Rockford
14.0%
Tempe
10.7%
Tempe +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Rockford
15.5%
Rockford +
Tempe
18.3%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Rockford
18.1%
Tempe
9.1%
Tempe +
| Metric | Rockford, IL | Tempe, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 44.7% | 27.2% | Tempe + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 15.4% | 7.2% | Tempe + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.0% | 16.6% | Tempe + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 14.0% | 10.7% | Tempe + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.5% | 18.3% | Rockford + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 18.1% | 9.1% | Tempe + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Rockford
49.2°F
Rockford +
Tempe
71.3°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Rockford
36.2 in
Tempe
9.3 in
Tempe +
| Metric | Rockford, IL | Tempe, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 49.2°F | 71.3°F | Rockford + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 36.2 in | 9.3 in | Tempe + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Rockford
9.4 µg/m³
Tempe
7.1 µg/m³
Tempe +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Rockford
55.0%
Tempe
75.0%
Tempe +
| Metric | Rockford, IL | Tempe, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.4 µg/m³ | 7.1 µg/m³ | Tempe + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Tempe + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Rockford
22.7 min
Rockford +
Tempe
23.2 min
| Metric | Rockford, IL | Tempe, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 22.7 min | 23.2 min | Rockford + |
Which City is Right for You?
Tempe leads in median household income at $77,643, 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 450 in Tempe. Tempe has a lower unemployment rate at 5.7%, and Tempe has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.1 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Tempe scores better with a lower obesity rate of 27.2%.
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