Rockford IL vs Tulsa OK — 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%
Tulsa, OK
Oklahoma · Population: 412,322
- Median HH Income$58,407
- Median Home Price$220,279
- Unemployment6.1%
- Bachelor's+33.3%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Rockford
147,649
Tulsa
412,322
Tulsa +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Rockford
N/A
Tulsa
N/A
Median Age
Rockford
37.5
Tulsa
35.5
Tulsa +
Foreign Born
Rockford
12.3%
Rockford +
Tulsa
11.9%
White
Rockford
55.5%
Tulsa
57.0%
Tulsa +
Black
Rockford
21.8%
Rockford +
Tulsa
14.2%
Asian
Rockford
3.7%
Rockford +
Tulsa
3.5%
Hispanic
Rockford
20.6%
Rockford +
Tulsa
19.2%
Spanish at Home
Rockford
N/A
Tulsa
N/A
| Metric | Rockford, IL | Tulsa, OK | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 147,649 | 412,322 | Tulsa + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 37.5 | 35.5 | Tulsa + |
| Foreign Born | 12.3% | 11.9% | Rockford + |
| White | 55.5% | 57.0% | Tulsa + |
| Black | 21.8% | 14.2% | Rockford + |
| Asian | 3.7% | 3.5% | Rockford + |
| Hispanic | 20.6% | 19.2% | Rockford + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Rockford
$53,328
Tulsa
$58,407
Tulsa +
Per Capita Income
Rockford
$30,409
Tulsa
$37,533
Tulsa +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Rockford
$68,110
Rockford +
Tulsa
$57,929
Unemployment Rate
Rockford
8.6%
Tulsa
6.1%
Tulsa +
Poverty Rate
Rockford
21.9%
Tulsa
18.6%
Tulsa +
Bachelor's Degree+
Rockford
23.2%
Tulsa
33.3%
Tulsa +
| Metric | Rockford, IL | Tulsa, OK | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $53,328 | $58,407 | Tulsa + |
| Per Capita Income | $30,409 | $37,533 | Tulsa + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $68,110 | $57,929 | Rockford + |
| Unemployment Rate | 8.6% | 6.1% | Tulsa + |
| Poverty Rate | 21.9% | 18.6% | Tulsa + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 23.2% | 33.3% | Tulsa + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Rockford
$180,220
Rockford +
Tulsa
$220,279
Homeownership Rate
Rockford
53.8%
Rockford +
Tulsa
52.0%
| Metric | Rockford, IL | Tulsa, OK | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $180,220 | $220,279 | Rockford + |
| Homeownership Rate | 53.8% | 52.0% | Rockford + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Rockford
344
Rockford +
Tulsa
429
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Rockford
1842
Rockford +
Tulsa
2375
| Metric | Rockford, IL | Tulsa, OK | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 344 | 429 | Rockford + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1842 | 2375 | Rockford + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Rockford
44.7%
Tulsa
37.5%
Tulsa +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Rockford
15.4%
Tulsa
12.8%
Tulsa +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Rockford
19.0%
Tulsa
18.8%
Tulsa +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Rockford
14.0%
Rockford +
Tulsa
14.4%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Rockford
15.5%
Tulsa
12.9%
Tulsa +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Rockford
18.1%
Tulsa
16.3%
Tulsa +
| Metric | Rockford, IL | Tulsa, OK | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 44.7% | 37.5% | Tulsa + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 15.4% | 12.8% | Tulsa + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.0% | 18.8% | Tulsa + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 14.0% | 14.4% | Rockford + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.5% | 12.9% | Tulsa + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 18.1% | 16.3% | Tulsa + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Rockford
49.2°F
Rockford +
Tulsa
60.8°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Rockford
36.2 in
Rockford +
Tulsa
41.0 in
| Metric | Rockford, IL | Tulsa, OK | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 49.2°F | 60.8°F | Rockford + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 36.2 in | 41.0 in | Rockford + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Rockford
9.4 µg/m³
Tulsa
8.8 µg/m³
Tulsa +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Rockford
55.0%
Tulsa
75.0%
Tulsa +
| Metric | Rockford, IL | Tulsa, OK | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.4 µg/m³ | 8.8 µg/m³ | Tulsa + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Tulsa + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Rockford
22.7 min
Tulsa
20.2 min
Tulsa +
| Metric | Rockford, IL | Tulsa, OK | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 22.7 min | 20.2 min | Tulsa + |
Which City is Right for You?
Tulsa leads in median household income at $58,407, 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 429 in Tulsa. Tulsa has a lower unemployment rate at 6.1%, and Tulsa has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.8 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Tulsa scores better with a lower obesity rate of 37.5%.
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