Rockford IL vs Torrance CA — 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%
Torrance, CA
California · Population: 95,358
- Median HH Income$118,253
- Median Home Price$1,128,110
- Unemployment5.9%
- Bachelor's+26.2%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Rockford
147,649
Rockford +
Torrance
95,358
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Rockford
N/A
Torrance
N/A
Median Age
Rockford
37.5
Torrance
35.2
Torrance +
Foreign Born
Rockford
12.3%
Torrance
28.7%
Torrance +
White
Rockford
55.5%
Rockford +
Torrance
34.8%
Black
Rockford
21.8%
Rockford +
Torrance
6.1%
Asian
Rockford
3.7%
Torrance
22.0%
Torrance +
Hispanic
Rockford
20.6%
Torrance
41.4%
Torrance +
Spanish at Home
Rockford
N/A
Torrance
N/A
| Metric | Rockford, IL | Torrance, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 147,649 | 95,358 | Rockford + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 37.5 | 35.2 | Torrance + |
| Foreign Born | 12.3% | 28.7% | Torrance + |
| White | 55.5% | 34.8% | Rockford + |
| Black | 21.8% | 6.1% | Rockford + |
| Asian | 3.7% | 22.0% | Torrance + |
| Hispanic | 20.6% | 41.4% | Torrance + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Rockford
$53,328
Torrance
$118,253
Torrance +
Per Capita Income
Rockford
$30,409
Torrance
$42,884
Torrance +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Rockford
$68,110
Torrance
$77,230
Torrance +
Unemployment Rate
Rockford
8.6%
Torrance
5.9%
Torrance +
Poverty Rate
Rockford
21.9%
Torrance
7.7%
Torrance +
Bachelor's Degree+
Rockford
23.2%
Torrance
26.2%
Torrance +
| Metric | Rockford, IL | Torrance, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $53,328 | $118,253 | Torrance + |
| Per Capita Income | $30,409 | $42,884 | Torrance + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $68,110 | $77,230 | Torrance + |
| Unemployment Rate | 8.6% | 5.9% | Torrance + |
| Poverty Rate | 21.9% | 7.7% | Torrance + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 23.2% | 26.2% | Torrance + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Rockford
$180,220
Rockford +
Torrance
$1,128,110
Homeownership Rate
Rockford
53.8%
Torrance
64.0%
Torrance +
| Metric | Rockford, IL | Torrance, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $180,220 | $1,128,110 | Rockford + |
| Homeownership Rate | 53.8% | 64.0% | Torrance + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Rockford
344
Rockford +
Torrance
503
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Rockford
1842
Rockford +
Torrance
2388
| Metric | Rockford, IL | Torrance, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 344 | 503 | Rockford + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1842 | 2388 | Rockford + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Rockford
44.7%
Torrance
20.3%
Torrance +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Rockford
15.4%
Torrance
10.6%
Torrance +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Rockford
19.0%
Torrance
13.3%
Torrance +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Rockford
14.0%
Torrance
5.2%
Torrance +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Rockford
15.5%
Torrance
14.0%
Torrance +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Rockford
18.1%
Torrance
8.0%
Torrance +
| Metric | Rockford, IL | Torrance, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 44.7% | 20.3% | Torrance + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 15.4% | 10.6% | Torrance + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.0% | 13.3% | Torrance + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 14.0% | 5.2% | Torrance + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.5% | 14.0% | Torrance + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 18.1% | 8.0% | Torrance + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Rockford
49.2°F
Rockford +
Torrance
62.6°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Rockford
36.2 in
Torrance
14.5 in
Torrance +
| Metric | Rockford, IL | Torrance, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 49.2°F | 62.6°F | Rockford + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 36.2 in | 14.5 in | Torrance + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Rockford
9.4 µg/m³
Torrance
7.9 µg/m³
Torrance +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Rockford
55.0%
Torrance
75.0%
Torrance +
| Metric | Rockford, IL | Torrance, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.4 µg/m³ | 7.9 µg/m³ | Torrance + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Torrance + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Rockford
22.7 min
Rockford +
Torrance
44.9 min
| Metric | Rockford, IL | Torrance, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 22.7 min | 44.9 min | Rockford + |
Which City is Right for You?
Torrance leads in median household income at $118,253, 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 503 in Torrance. Torrance has a lower unemployment rate at 5.9%, and Torrance has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Torrance scores better with a lower obesity rate of 20.3%.
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