Rockford IL vs Vancouver WA — 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%
Vancouver, WA
Washington · Population: 192,696
- Median HH Income$78,156
- Median Home Price$510,577
- Unemployment5.6%
- Bachelor's+31.5%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Rockford
147,649
Vancouver
192,696
Vancouver +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Rockford
N/A
Vancouver
N/A
Median Age
Rockford
37.5
Vancouver
37.5
Tie
Foreign Born
Rockford
12.3%
Vancouver
13.6%
Vancouver +
White
Rockford
55.5%
Vancouver
70.6%
Vancouver +
Black
Rockford
21.8%
Rockford +
Vancouver
3.1%
Asian
Rockford
3.7%
Vancouver
5.3%
Vancouver +
Hispanic
Rockford
20.6%
Rockford +
Vancouver
17.2%
Spanish at Home
Rockford
N/A
Vancouver
N/A
| Metric | Rockford, IL | Vancouver, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 147,649 | 192,696 | Vancouver + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 37.5 | 37.5 | Tie |
| Foreign Born | 12.3% | 13.6% | Vancouver + |
| White | 55.5% | 70.6% | Vancouver + |
| Black | 21.8% | 3.1% | Rockford + |
| Asian | 3.7% | 5.3% | Vancouver + |
| Hispanic | 20.6% | 17.2% | Rockford + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Rockford
$53,328
Vancouver
$78,156
Vancouver +
Per Capita Income
Rockford
$30,409
Vancouver
$42,839
Vancouver +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Rockford
$68,110
Vancouver
$76,120
Vancouver +
Unemployment Rate
Rockford
8.6%
Vancouver
5.6%
Vancouver +
Poverty Rate
Rockford
21.9%
Vancouver
11.1%
Vancouver +
Bachelor's Degree+
Rockford
23.2%
Vancouver
31.5%
Vancouver +
| Metric | Rockford, IL | Vancouver, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $53,328 | $78,156 | Vancouver + |
| Per Capita Income | $30,409 | $42,839 | Vancouver + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $68,110 | $76,120 | Vancouver + |
| Unemployment Rate | 8.6% | 5.6% | Vancouver + |
| Poverty Rate | 21.9% | 11.1% | Vancouver + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 23.2% | 31.5% | Vancouver + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Rockford
$180,220
Rockford +
Vancouver
$510,577
Homeownership Rate
Rockford
53.8%
Rockford +
Vancouver
49.9%
| Metric | Rockford, IL | Vancouver, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $180,220 | $510,577 | Rockford + |
| Homeownership Rate | 53.8% | 49.9% | Rockford + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Rockford
344
Rockford +
Vancouver
383
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Rockford
1842
Rockford +
Vancouver
3409
| Metric | Rockford, IL | Vancouver, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 344 | 383 | Rockford + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1842 | 3409 | Rockford + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Rockford
44.7%
Vancouver
36.2%
Vancouver +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Rockford
15.4%
Vancouver
9.9%
Vancouver +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Rockford
19.0%
Rockford +
Vancouver
19.1%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Rockford
14.0%
Vancouver
9.4%
Vancouver +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Rockford
15.5%
Rockford +
Vancouver
16.3%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Rockford
18.1%
Vancouver
11.7%
Vancouver +
| Metric | Rockford, IL | Vancouver, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 44.7% | 36.2% | Vancouver + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 15.4% | 9.9% | Vancouver + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.0% | 19.1% | Rockford + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 14.0% | 9.4% | Vancouver + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.5% | 16.3% | Rockford + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 18.1% | 11.7% | Vancouver + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Rockford
49.2°F
Rockford +
Vancouver
52.1°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Rockford
36.2 in
Rockford +
Vancouver
41.6 in
| Metric | Rockford, IL | Vancouver, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 49.2°F | 52.1°F | Rockford + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 36.2 in | 41.6 in | Rockford + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Rockford
9.4 µg/m³
Vancouver
7.5 µg/m³
Vancouver +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Rockford
55.0%
Vancouver
75.0%
Vancouver +
| Metric | Rockford, IL | Vancouver, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.4 µg/m³ | 7.5 µg/m³ | Vancouver + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Vancouver + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Rockford
22.7 min
Rockford +
Vancouver
25.1 min
| Metric | Rockford, IL | Vancouver, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 22.7 min | 25.1 min | Rockford + |
Which City is Right for You?
Vancouver leads in median household income at $78,156, 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 383 in Vancouver. Vancouver has a lower unemployment rate at 5.6%, and Vancouver has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.5 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Vancouver scores better with a lower obesity rate of 36.2%.
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