Rockford IL vs Waco TX — 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%
Waco, TX
Texas · Population: 141,925
- Median HH Income$51,468
- Median Home Price$196,465
- Unemployment4.4%
- Bachelor's+28.6%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Rockford
147,649
Rockford +
Waco
141,925
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Rockford
N/A
Waco
N/A
Median Age
Rockford
37.5
Waco
29.2
Waco +
Foreign Born
Rockford
12.3%
Rockford +
Waco
9.8%
White
Rockford
55.5%
Rockford +
Waco
54.0%
Black
Rockford
21.8%
Rockford +
Waco
20.4%
Asian
Rockford
3.7%
Rockford +
Waco
2.0%
Hispanic
Rockford
20.6%
Waco
29.9%
Waco +
Spanish at Home
Rockford
N/A
Waco
N/A
| Metric | Rockford, IL | Waco, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 147,649 | 141,925 | Rockford + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 37.5 | 29.2 | Waco + |
| Foreign Born | 12.3% | 9.8% | Rockford + |
| White | 55.5% | 54.0% | Rockford + |
| Black | 21.8% | 20.4% | Rockford + |
| Asian | 3.7% | 2.0% | Rockford + |
| Hispanic | 20.6% | 29.9% | Waco + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Rockford
$53,328
Rockford +
Waco
$51,468
Per Capita Income
Rockford
$30,409
Rockford +
Waco
$28,819
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Rockford
$68,110
Rockford +
Waco
$63,758
Unemployment Rate
Rockford
8.6%
Waco
4.4%
Waco +
Poverty Rate
Rockford
21.9%
Rockford +
Waco
24.0%
Bachelor's Degree+
Rockford
23.2%
Waco
28.6%
Waco +
| Metric | Rockford, IL | Waco, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $53,328 | $51,468 | Rockford + |
| Per Capita Income | $30,409 | $28,819 | Rockford + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $68,110 | $63,758 | Rockford + |
| Unemployment Rate | 8.6% | 4.4% | Waco + |
| Poverty Rate | 21.9% | 24.0% | Rockford + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 23.2% | 28.6% | Waco + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Rockford
$180,220
Rockford +
Waco
$196,465
Homeownership Rate
Rockford
53.8%
Rockford +
Waco
48.9%
| Metric | Rockford, IL | Waco, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $180,220 | $196,465 | Rockford + |
| Homeownership Rate | 53.8% | 48.9% | Rockford + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Rockford
344
Rockford +
Waco
442
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Rockford
1842
Rockford +
Waco
2339
| Metric | Rockford, IL | Waco, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 344 | 442 | Rockford + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1842 | 2339 | Rockford + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Rockford
44.7%
Waco
36.8%
Waco +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Rockford
15.4%
Waco
13.0%
Waco +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Rockford
19.0%
Rockford +
Waco
20.4%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Rockford
14.0%
Rockford +
Waco
20.4%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Rockford
15.5%
Rockford +
Waco
16.2%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Rockford
18.1%
Waco
15.1%
Waco +
| Metric | Rockford, IL | Waco, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 44.7% | 36.8% | Waco + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 15.4% | 13.0% | Waco + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.0% | 20.4% | Rockford + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 14.0% | 20.4% | Rockford + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.5% | 16.2% | Rockford + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 18.1% | 15.1% | Waco + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Rockford
49.2°F
Rockford +
Waco
66.6°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Rockford
36.2 in
Rockford +
Waco
36.4 in
| Metric | Rockford, IL | Waco, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 49.2°F | 66.6°F | Rockford + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 36.2 in | 36.4 in | Rockford + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Rockford
9.4 µg/m³
Waco
9.2 µg/m³
Waco +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Rockford
55.0%
Waco
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Rockford, IL | Waco, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.4 µg/m³ | 9.2 µg/m³ | Waco + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 55.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Rockford
22.7 min
Waco
19.7 min
Waco +
| Metric | Rockford, IL | Waco, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 22.7 min | 19.7 min | Waco + |
Which City is Right for You?
Rockford leads in median household income at $53,328, 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 442 in Waco. Waco has a lower unemployment rate at 4.4%, and Waco has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 9.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Waco scores better with a lower obesity rate of 36.8%.
Compare More Cities
New York, NY vs Rockford, ILLos Angeles, CA vs Rockford, ILChicago, IL vs Rockford, ILHouston, TX vs Rockford, ILPhoenix, AZ vs Rockford, ILPhiladelphia, PA vs Rockford, IL