Rockford IL vs Thornton CO — 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%
Thornton, CO
Colorado · Population: 142,878
- Median HH Income$100,985
- Median Home Price$505,085
- Unemployment4.6%
- Bachelor's+32.2%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Rockford
147,649
Rockford +
Thornton
142,878
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Rockford
N/A
Thornton
N/A
Median Age
Rockford
37.5
Thornton
34.3
Thornton +
Foreign Born
Rockford
12.3%
Thornton
14.5%
Thornton +
White
Rockford
55.5%
Thornton
63.5%
Thornton +
Black
Rockford
21.8%
Rockford +
Thornton
2.2%
Asian
Rockford
3.7%
Thornton
5.8%
Thornton +
Hispanic
Rockford
20.6%
Thornton
37.4%
Thornton +
Spanish at Home
Rockford
N/A
Thornton
N/A
| Metric | Rockford, IL | Thornton, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 147,649 | 142,878 | Rockford + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 37.5 | 34.3 | Thornton + |
| Foreign Born | 12.3% | 14.5% | Thornton + |
| White | 55.5% | 63.5% | Thornton + |
| Black | 21.8% | 2.2% | Rockford + |
| Asian | 3.7% | 5.8% | Thornton + |
| Hispanic | 20.6% | 37.4% | Thornton + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Rockford
$53,328
Thornton
$100,985
Thornton +
Per Capita Income
Rockford
$30,409
Thornton
$41,869
Thornton +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Rockford
$68,110
Thornton
$76,653
Thornton +
Unemployment Rate
Rockford
8.6%
Thornton
4.6%
Thornton +
Poverty Rate
Rockford
21.9%
Thornton
7.3%
Thornton +
Bachelor's Degree+
Rockford
23.2%
Thornton
32.2%
Thornton +
| Metric | Rockford, IL | Thornton, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $53,328 | $100,985 | Thornton + |
| Per Capita Income | $30,409 | $41,869 | Thornton + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $68,110 | $76,653 | Thornton + |
| Unemployment Rate | 8.6% | 4.6% | Thornton + |
| Poverty Rate | 21.9% | 7.3% | Thornton + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 23.2% | 32.2% | Thornton + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Rockford
$180,220
Rockford +
Thornton
$505,085
Homeownership Rate
Rockford
53.8%
Thornton
73.1%
Thornton +
| Metric | Rockford, IL | Thornton, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $180,220 | $505,085 | Rockford + |
| Homeownership Rate | 53.8% | 73.1% | Thornton + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Rockford
344
Rockford +
Thornton
512
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Rockford
1842
Rockford +
Thornton
3234
| Metric | Rockford, IL | Thornton, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 344 | 512 | Rockford + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1842 | 3234 | Rockford + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Rockford
44.7%
Thornton
31.8%
Thornton +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Rockford
15.4%
Thornton
8.8%
Thornton +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Rockford
19.0%
Thornton
17.0%
Thornton +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Rockford
14.0%
Rockford +
Thornton
15.2%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Rockford
15.5%
Rockford +
Thornton
17.4%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Rockford
18.1%
Thornton
12.6%
Thornton +
| Metric | Rockford, IL | Thornton, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 44.7% | 31.8% | Thornton + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 15.4% | 8.8% | Thornton + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.0% | 17.0% | Thornton + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 14.0% | 15.2% | Rockford + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.5% | 17.4% | Rockford + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 18.1% | 12.6% | Thornton + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Rockford
49.2°F
Thornton
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Rockford
36.2 in
Thornton
N/A
| Metric | Rockford, IL | Thornton, CO | 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
Thornton
6.2 µg/m³
Thornton +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Rockford
55.0%
Thornton
75.0%
Thornton +
| Metric | Rockford, IL | Thornton, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.4 µg/m³ | 6.2 µg/m³ | Thornton + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Thornton + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Rockford
22.7 min
Rockford +
Thornton
32.8 min
| Metric | Rockford, IL | Thornton, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 22.7 min | 32.8 min | Rockford + |
Which City is Right for You?
Thornton leads in median household income at $100,985, 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 512 in Thornton. Thornton has a lower unemployment rate at 4.6%, and Thornton has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 6.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Thornton scores better with a lower obesity rate of 31.8%.
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