Rockford IL vs Toledo OH — 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%
Toledo, OH
Ohio · Population: 268,461
- Median HH Income$47,532
- Median Home Price$130,101
- Unemployment8.5%
- Bachelor's+21.0%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Rockford
147,649
Toledo
268,461
Toledo +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Rockford
N/A
Toledo
N/A
Median Age
Rockford
37.5
Toledo
35.7
Toledo +
Foreign Born
Rockford
12.3%
Rockford +
Toledo
3.4%
White
Rockford
55.5%
Toledo
58.7%
Toledo +
Black
Rockford
21.8%
Toledo
28.7%
Toledo +
Asian
Rockford
3.7%
Rockford +
Toledo
1.4%
Hispanic
Rockford
20.6%
Rockford +
Toledo
8.9%
Spanish at Home
Rockford
N/A
Toledo
N/A
| Metric | Rockford, IL | Toledo, OH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 147,649 | 268,461 | Toledo + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 37.5 | 35.7 | Toledo + |
| Foreign Born | 12.3% | 3.4% | Rockford + |
| White | 55.5% | 58.7% | Toledo + |
| Black | 21.8% | 28.7% | Toledo + |
| Asian | 3.7% | 1.4% | Rockford + |
| Hispanic | 20.6% | 8.9% | Rockford + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Rockford
$53,328
Rockford +
Toledo
$47,532
Per Capita Income
Rockford
$30,409
Rockford +
Toledo
$27,407
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Rockford
$68,110
Rockford +
Toledo
$58,300
Unemployment Rate
Rockford
8.6%
Toledo
8.5%
Toledo +
Poverty Rate
Rockford
21.9%
Rockford +
Toledo
24.5%
Bachelor's Degree+
Rockford
23.2%
Rockford +
Toledo
21.0%
| Metric | Rockford, IL | Toledo, OH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $53,328 | $47,532 | Rockford + |
| Per Capita Income | $30,409 | $27,407 | Rockford + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $68,110 | $58,300 | Rockford + |
| Unemployment Rate | 8.6% | 8.5% | Toledo + |
| Poverty Rate | 21.9% | 24.5% | Rockford + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 23.2% | 21.0% | Rockford + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Rockford
$180,220
Toledo
$130,101
Toledo +
Homeownership Rate
Rockford
53.8%
Rockford +
Toledo
52.7%
| Metric | Rockford, IL | Toledo, OH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $180,220 | $130,101 | Toledo + |
| Homeownership Rate | 53.8% | 52.7% | Rockford + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Rockford
344
Toledo
319
Toledo +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Rockford
1842
Rockford +
Toledo
1866
| Metric | Rockford, IL | Toledo, OH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 344 | 319 | Toledo + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1842 | 1866 | Rockford + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Rockford
44.7%
Toledo
39.3%
Toledo +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Rockford
15.4%
Rockford +
Toledo
15.7%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Rockford
19.0%
Rockford +
Toledo
20.6%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Rockford
14.0%
Toledo
11.3%
Toledo +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Rockford
15.5%
Toledo
14.9%
Toledo +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Rockford
18.1%
Rockford +
Toledo
19.9%
| Metric | Rockford, IL | Toledo, OH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 44.7% | 39.3% | Toledo + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 15.4% | 15.7% | Rockford + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.0% | 20.6% | Rockford + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 14.0% | 11.3% | Toledo + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.5% | 14.9% | Toledo + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 18.1% | 19.9% | Rockford + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Rockford
49.2°F
Rockford +
Toledo
50.6°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Rockford
36.2 in
Toledo
33.4 in
Toledo +
| Metric | Rockford, IL | Toledo, OH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 49.2°F | 50.6°F | Rockford + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 36.2 in | 33.4 in | Toledo + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Rockford
9.4 µg/m³
Rockford +
Toledo
10.3 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Rockford
55.0%
Toledo
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Rockford, IL | Toledo, OH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.4 µg/m³ | 10.3 µg/m³ | Rockford + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 55.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Rockford
22.7 min
Toledo
21.3 min
Toledo +
| Metric | Rockford, IL | Toledo, OH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 22.7 min | 21.3 min | Toledo + |
Which City is Right for You?
Rockford leads in median household income at $53,328, while toledo offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $130,101. On public safety, Toledo is safer with a violent crime rate of 319 per 100,000 residents, compared to 344 in Rockford. Toledo has a lower unemployment rate at 8.5%, and Rockford has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 9.4 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Toledo scores better with a lower obesity rate of 39.3%.
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