Rockford IL vs Visalia 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%
Visalia, CA
California · Population: 135,983
- Median HH Income$70,663
- Median Home Price$397,983
- Unemployment11.6%
- Bachelor's+12.4%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Rockford
147,649
Rockford +
Visalia
135,983
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Rockford
N/A
Visalia
N/A
Median Age
Rockford
37.5
Visalia
32.0
Visalia +
Foreign Born
Rockford
12.3%
Visalia
20.1%
Visalia +
White
Rockford
55.5%
Rockford +
Visalia
36.5%
Black
Rockford
21.8%
Rockford +
Visalia
17.1%
Asian
Rockford
3.7%
Visalia
4.4%
Visalia +
Hispanic
Rockford
20.6%
Visalia
55.3%
Visalia +
Spanish at Home
Rockford
N/A
Visalia
N/A
| Metric | Rockford, IL | Visalia, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 147,649 | 135,983 | Rockford + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 37.5 | 32.0 | Visalia + |
| Foreign Born | 12.3% | 20.1% | Visalia + |
| White | 55.5% | 36.5% | Rockford + |
| Black | 21.8% | 17.1% | Rockford + |
| Asian | 3.7% | 4.4% | Visalia + |
| Hispanic | 20.6% | 55.3% | Visalia + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Rockford
$53,328
Visalia
$70,663
Visalia +
Per Capita Income
Rockford
$30,409
Rockford +
Visalia
$26,955
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Rockford
$68,110
Visalia
$77,230
Visalia +
Unemployment Rate
Rockford
8.6%
Rockford +
Visalia
11.6%
Poverty Rate
Rockford
21.9%
Visalia
20.0%
Visalia +
Bachelor's Degree+
Rockford
23.2%
Rockford +
Visalia
12.4%
| Metric | Rockford, IL | Visalia, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $53,328 | $70,663 | Visalia + |
| Per Capita Income | $30,409 | $26,955 | Rockford + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $68,110 | $77,230 | Visalia + |
| Unemployment Rate | 8.6% | 11.6% | Rockford + |
| Poverty Rate | 21.9% | 20.0% | Visalia + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 23.2% | 12.4% | Rockford + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Rockford
$180,220
Rockford +
Visalia
$397,983
Homeownership Rate
Rockford
53.8%
Visalia
58.5%
Visalia +
| Metric | Rockford, IL | Visalia, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $180,220 | $397,983 | Rockford + |
| Homeownership Rate | 53.8% | 58.5% | Visalia + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Rockford
344
Rockford +
Visalia
503
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Rockford
1842
Rockford +
Visalia
2388
| Metric | Rockford, IL | Visalia, 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%
Visalia
32.2%
Visalia +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Rockford
15.4%
Visalia
11.2%
Visalia +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Rockford
19.0%
Visalia
17.9%
Visalia +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Rockford
14.0%
Visalia
13.0%
Visalia +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Rockford
15.5%
Rockford +
Visalia
16.8%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Rockford
18.1%
Visalia
12.0%
Visalia +
| Metric | Rockford, IL | Visalia, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 44.7% | 32.2% | Visalia + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 15.4% | 11.2% | Visalia + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.0% | 17.9% | Visalia + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 14.0% | 13.0% | Visalia + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.5% | 16.8% | Rockford + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 18.1% | 12.0% | Visalia + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Rockford
49.2°F
Rockford +
Visalia
63.3°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Rockford
36.2 in
Visalia
10.9 in
Visalia +
| Metric | Rockford, IL | Visalia, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 49.2°F | 63.3°F | Rockford + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 36.2 in | 10.9 in | Visalia + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Rockford
9.4 µg/m³
Visalia
7.9 µg/m³
Visalia +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Rockford
55.0%
Visalia
75.0%
Visalia +
| Metric | Rockford, IL | Visalia, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.4 µg/m³ | 7.9 µg/m³ | Visalia + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Visalia + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Rockford
22.7 min
Rockford +
Visalia
41.6 min
| Metric | Rockford, IL | Visalia, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 22.7 min | 41.6 min | Rockford + |
Which City is Right for You?
Visalia leads in median household income at $70,663, 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 Visalia. Rockford has a lower unemployment rate at 8.6%, and Visalia has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Visalia scores better with a lower obesity rate of 32.2%.
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