Rockford IL vs Utica NY — 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%
Utica, NY
New York · Population: 51,054
- Median HH Income$57,688
- Median Home Price$205,924
- Unemployment9.4%
- Bachelor's+36.8%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Rockford
147,649
Rockford +
Utica
51,054
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Rockford
N/A
Utica
N/A
Median Age
Rockford
37.5
Utica
33.0
Utica +
Foreign Born
Rockford
12.3%
Rockford +
Utica
9.7%
White
Rockford
55.5%
Utica
64.8%
Utica +
Black
Rockford
21.8%
Rockford +
Utica
16.9%
Asian
Rockford
3.7%
Utica
4.3%
Utica +
Hispanic
Rockford
20.6%
Rockford +
Utica
9.8%
Spanish at Home
Rockford
N/A
Utica
N/A
| Metric | Rockford, IL | Utica, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 147,649 | 51,054 | Rockford + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 37.5 | 33.0 | Utica + |
| Foreign Born | 12.3% | 9.7% | Rockford + |
| White | 55.5% | 64.8% | Utica + |
| Black | 21.8% | 16.9% | Rockford + |
| Asian | 3.7% | 4.3% | Utica + |
| Hispanic | 20.6% | 9.8% | Rockford + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Rockford
$53,328
Utica
$57,688
Utica +
Per Capita Income
Rockford
$30,409
Utica
$35,780
Utica +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Rockford
$68,110
Utica
$77,425
Utica +
Unemployment Rate
Rockford
8.6%
Rockford +
Utica
9.4%
Poverty Rate
Rockford
21.9%
Rockford +
Utica
23.8%
Bachelor's Degree+
Rockford
23.2%
Utica
36.8%
Utica +
| Metric | Rockford, IL | Utica, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $53,328 | $57,688 | Utica + |
| Per Capita Income | $30,409 | $35,780 | Utica + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $68,110 | $77,425 | Utica + |
| Unemployment Rate | 8.6% | 9.4% | Rockford + |
| Poverty Rate | 21.9% | 23.8% | Rockford + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 23.2% | 36.8% | Utica + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Rockford
$180,220
Rockford +
Utica
$205,924
Homeownership Rate
Rockford
53.8%
Rockford +
Utica
36.8%
| Metric | Rockford, IL | Utica, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $180,220 | $205,924 | Rockford + |
| Homeownership Rate | 53.8% | 36.8% | Rockford + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Rockford
344
Rockford +
Utica
434
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Rockford
1842
Utica
1736
Utica +
| Metric | Rockford, IL | Utica, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 344 | 434 | Rockford + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1842 | 1736 | Utica + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Rockford
44.7%
Utica
39.6%
Utica +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Rockford
15.4%
Utica
14.1%
Utica +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Rockford
19.0%
Rockford +
Utica
19.4%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Rockford
14.0%
Utica
11.1%
Utica +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Rockford
15.5%
Utica
15.2%
Utica +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Rockford
18.1%
Rockford +
Utica
18.7%
| Metric | Rockford, IL | Utica, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 44.7% | 39.6% | Utica + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 15.4% | 14.1% | Utica + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.0% | 19.4% | Rockford + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 14.0% | 11.1% | Utica + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.5% | 15.2% | Utica + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 18.1% | 18.7% | Rockford + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Rockford
49.2°F
Utica
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Rockford
36.2 in
Utica
N/A
| Metric | Rockford, IL | Utica, NY | 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
Utica
8.1 µg/m³
Utica +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Rockford
55.0%
Utica
75.0%
Utica +
| Metric | Rockford, IL | Utica, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.4 µg/m³ | 8.1 µg/m³ | Utica + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Utica + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Rockford
22.7 min
Utica
22.7 min
Tie
| Metric | Rockford, IL | Utica, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 22.7 min | 22.7 min | Tie |
Which City is Right for You?
Utica leads in median household income at $57,688, 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 434 in Utica. Rockford has a lower unemployment rate at 8.6%, and Utica has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.1 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Utica scores better with a lower obesity rate of 39.6%.
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