Rockford IL vs Vallejo 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%
Vallejo, CA
California · Population: 68,141
- Median HH Income$137,194
- Median Home Price$523,551
- Unemployment5.0%
- Bachelor's+45.3%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Rockford
147,649
Rockford +
Vallejo
68,141
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Rockford
N/A
Vallejo
N/A
Median Age
Rockford
37.5
Rockford +
Vallejo
42.1
Foreign Born
Rockford
12.3%
Vallejo
46.9%
Vallejo +
White
Rockford
55.5%
Rockford +
Vallejo
17.9%
Black
Rockford
21.8%
Rockford +
Vallejo
5.3%
Asian
Rockford
3.7%
Vallejo
55.9%
Vallejo +
Hispanic
Rockford
20.6%
Rockford +
Vallejo
19.3%
Spanish at Home
Rockford
N/A
Vallejo
N/A
| Metric | Rockford, IL | Vallejo, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 147,649 | 68,141 | Rockford + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 37.5 | 42.1 | Rockford + |
| Foreign Born | 12.3% | 46.9% | Vallejo + |
| White | 55.5% | 17.9% | Rockford + |
| Black | 21.8% | 5.3% | Rockford + |
| Asian | 3.7% | 55.9% | Vallejo + |
| Hispanic | 20.6% | 19.3% | Rockford + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Rockford
$53,328
Vallejo
$137,194
Vallejo +
Per Capita Income
Rockford
$30,409
Vallejo
$56,020
Vallejo +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Rockford
$68,110
Vallejo
$77,230
Vallejo +
Unemployment Rate
Rockford
8.6%
Vallejo
5.0%
Vallejo +
Poverty Rate
Rockford
21.9%
Vallejo
7.0%
Vallejo +
Bachelor's Degree+
Rockford
23.2%
Vallejo
45.3%
Vallejo +
| Metric | Rockford, IL | Vallejo, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $53,328 | $137,194 | Vallejo + |
| Per Capita Income | $30,409 | $56,020 | Vallejo + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $68,110 | $77,230 | Vallejo + |
| Unemployment Rate | 8.6% | 5.0% | Vallejo + |
| Poverty Rate | 21.9% | 7.0% | Vallejo + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 23.2% | 45.3% | Vallejo + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Rockford
$180,220
Rockford +
Vallejo
$523,551
Homeownership Rate
Rockford
53.8%
Vallejo
67.0%
Vallejo +
| Metric | Rockford, IL | Vallejo, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $180,220 | $523,551 | Rockford + |
| Homeownership Rate | 53.8% | 67.0% | Vallejo + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Rockford
344
Rockford +
Vallejo
503
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Rockford
1842
Rockford +
Vallejo
2388
| Metric | Rockford, IL | Vallejo, 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%
Vallejo
31.6%
Vallejo +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Rockford
15.4%
Vallejo
13.3%
Vallejo +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Rockford
19.0%
Vallejo
16.9%
Vallejo +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Rockford
14.0%
Vallejo
9.6%
Vallejo +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Rockford
15.5%
Vallejo
13.8%
Vallejo +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Rockford
18.1%
Vallejo
12.0%
Vallejo +
| Metric | Rockford, IL | Vallejo, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 44.7% | 31.6% | Vallejo + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 15.4% | 13.3% | Vallejo + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.0% | 16.9% | Vallejo + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 14.0% | 9.6% | Vallejo + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.5% | 13.8% | Vallejo + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 18.1% | 12.0% | Vallejo + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Rockford
49.2°F
Vallejo
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Rockford
36.2 in
Vallejo
N/A
| Metric | Rockford, IL | Vallejo, CA | 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
Vallejo
7.9 µg/m³
Vallejo +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Rockford
55.0%
Vallejo
75.0%
Vallejo +
| Metric | Rockford, IL | Vallejo, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.4 µg/m³ | 7.9 µg/m³ | Vallejo + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Vallejo + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Rockford
22.7 min
Rockford +
Vallejo
36.0 min
| Metric | Rockford, IL | Vallejo, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 22.7 min | 36.0 min | Rockford + |
Which City is Right for You?
Vallejo leads in median household income at $137,194, 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 Vallejo. Vallejo has a lower unemployment rate at 5.0%, and Vallejo has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Vallejo scores better with a lower obesity rate of 31.6%.
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