Rockford IL vs Topeka KS — 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%
Topeka, KS
Kansas · Population: 126,103
- Median HH Income$55,902
- Median Home Price$193,522
- Unemployment4.9%
- Bachelor's+29.1%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Rockford
147,649
Rockford +
Topeka
126,103
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Rockford
N/A
Topeka
N/A
Median Age
Rockford
37.5
Rockford +
Topeka
38.2
Foreign Born
Rockford
12.3%
Rockford +
Topeka
5.3%
White
Rockford
55.5%
Topeka
71.0%
Topeka +
Black
Rockford
21.8%
Rockford +
Topeka
9.7%
Asian
Rockford
3.7%
Rockford +
Topeka
1.8%
Hispanic
Rockford
20.6%
Rockford +
Topeka
16.9%
Spanish at Home
Rockford
N/A
Topeka
N/A
| Metric | Rockford, IL | Topeka, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 147,649 | 126,103 | Rockford + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 37.5 | 38.2 | Rockford + |
| Foreign Born | 12.3% | 5.3% | Rockford + |
| White | 55.5% | 71.0% | Topeka + |
| Black | 21.8% | 9.7% | Rockford + |
| Asian | 3.7% | 1.8% | Rockford + |
| Hispanic | 20.6% | 16.9% | Rockford + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Rockford
$53,328
Topeka
$55,902
Topeka +
Per Capita Income
Rockford
$30,409
Topeka
$33,290
Topeka +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Rockford
$68,110
Rockford +
Topeka
$61,860
Unemployment Rate
Rockford
8.6%
Topeka
4.9%
Topeka +
Poverty Rate
Rockford
21.9%
Topeka
15.6%
Topeka +
Bachelor's Degree+
Rockford
23.2%
Topeka
29.1%
Topeka +
| Metric | Rockford, IL | Topeka, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $53,328 | $55,902 | Topeka + |
| Per Capita Income | $30,409 | $33,290 | Topeka + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $68,110 | $61,860 | Rockford + |
| Unemployment Rate | 8.6% | 4.9% | Topeka + |
| Poverty Rate | 21.9% | 15.6% | Topeka + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 23.2% | 29.1% | Topeka + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Rockford
$180,220
Rockford +
Topeka
$193,522
Homeownership Rate
Rockford
53.8%
Topeka
59.2%
Topeka +
| Metric | Rockford, IL | Topeka, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $180,220 | $193,522 | Rockford + |
| Homeownership Rate | 53.8% | 59.2% | Topeka + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Rockford
344
Rockford +
Topeka
449
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Rockford
1842
Rockford +
Topeka
2174
| Metric | Rockford, IL | Topeka, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 344 | 449 | Rockford + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1842 | 2174 | Rockford + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Rockford
44.7%
Topeka
39.7%
Topeka +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Rockford
15.4%
Topeka
13.1%
Topeka +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Rockford
19.0%
Topeka
16.8%
Topeka +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Rockford
14.0%
Topeka
11.4%
Topeka +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Rockford
15.5%
Topeka
14.5%
Topeka +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Rockford
18.1%
Topeka
16.9%
Topeka +
| Metric | Rockford, IL | Topeka, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 44.7% | 39.7% | Topeka + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 15.4% | 13.1% | Topeka + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.0% | 16.8% | Topeka + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 14.0% | 11.4% | Topeka + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.5% | 14.5% | Topeka + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 18.1% | 16.9% | Topeka + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Rockford
49.2°F
Rockford +
Topeka
54.5°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Rockford
36.2 in
Rockford +
Topeka
39.0 in
| Metric | Rockford, IL | Topeka, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 49.2°F | 54.5°F | Rockford + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 36.2 in | 39.0 in | Rockford + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Rockford
9.4 µg/m³
Topeka
8.2 µg/m³
Topeka +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Rockford
55.0%
Topeka
75.0%
Topeka +
| Metric | Rockford, IL | Topeka, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.4 µg/m³ | 8.2 µg/m³ | Topeka + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Topeka + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Rockford
22.7 min
Topeka
18.3 min
Topeka +
| Metric | Rockford, IL | Topeka, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 22.7 min | 18.3 min | Topeka + |
Which City is Right for You?
Topeka leads in median household income at $55,902, 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 449 in Topeka. Topeka has a lower unemployment rate at 4.9%, and Topeka has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Topeka scores better with a lower obesity rate of 39.7%.
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