Rockford IL vs Washington DC — 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%
Washington, DC
District of Columbia · Population: 672,079
- Median HH Income$106,287
- Median Home Price$580,173
- Unemployment6.5%
- Bachelor's+63.6%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Rockford
147,649
Washington
672,079
Washington +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Rockford
N/A
Washington
N/A
Median Age
Rockford
37.5
Washington
34.9
Washington +
Foreign Born
Rockford
12.3%
Washington
13.3%
Washington +
White
Rockford
55.5%
Rockford +
Washington
39.1%
Black
Rockford
21.8%
Washington
43.3%
Washington +
Asian
Rockford
3.7%
Washington
4.1%
Washington +
Hispanic
Rockford
20.6%
Rockford +
Washington
11.6%
Spanish at Home
Rockford
N/A
Washington
N/A
| Metric | Rockford, IL | Washington, DC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 147,649 | 672,079 | Washington + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 37.5 | 34.9 | Washington + |
| Foreign Born | 12.3% | 13.3% | Washington + |
| White | 55.5% | 39.1% | Rockford + |
| Black | 21.8% | 43.3% | Washington + |
| Asian | 3.7% | 4.1% | Washington + |
| Hispanic | 20.6% | 11.6% | Rockford + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Rockford
$53,328
Washington
$106,287
Washington +
Per Capita Income
Rockford
$30,409
Washington
$75,253
Washington +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Rockford
$68,110
Washington
$101,182
Washington +
Unemployment Rate
Rockford
8.6%
Washington
6.5%
Washington +
Poverty Rate
Rockford
21.9%
Washington
14.5%
Washington +
Bachelor's Degree+
Rockford
23.2%
Washington
63.6%
Washington +
| Metric | Rockford, IL | Washington, DC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $53,328 | $106,287 | Washington + |
| Per Capita Income | $30,409 | $75,253 | Washington + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $68,110 | $101,182 | Washington + |
| Unemployment Rate | 8.6% | 6.5% | Washington + |
| Poverty Rate | 21.9% | 14.5% | Washington + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 23.2% | 63.6% | Washington + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Rockford
$180,220
Rockford +
Washington
$580,173
Homeownership Rate
Rockford
53.8%
Rockford +
Washington
41.1%
| Metric | Rockford, IL | Washington, DC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $180,220 | $580,173 | Rockford + |
| Homeownership Rate | 53.8% | 41.1% | Rockford + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Rockford
344
Rockford +
Washington
398
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Rockford
1842
Rockford +
Washington
1999
| Metric | Rockford, IL | Washington, DC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 344 | 398 | Rockford + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1842 | 1999 | Rockford + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Rockford
44.7%
Washington
24.6%
Washington +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Rockford
15.4%
Washington
7.8%
Washington +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Rockford
19.0%
Washington
14.6%
Washington +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Rockford
14.0%
Washington
6.7%
Washington +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Rockford
15.5%
Rockford +
Washington
24.0%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Rockford
18.1%
Washington
9.7%
Washington +
| Metric | Rockford, IL | Washington, DC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 44.7% | 24.6% | Washington + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 15.4% | 7.8% | Washington + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.0% | 14.6% | Washington + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 14.0% | 6.7% | Washington + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.5% | 24.0% | Rockford + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 18.1% | 9.7% | Washington + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Rockford
49.2°F
Washington
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Rockford
36.2 in
Washington
N/A
| Metric | Rockford, IL | Washington, DC | 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
Washington
8.8 µg/m³
Washington +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Rockford
55.0%
Washington
75.0%
Washington +
| Metric | Rockford, IL | Washington, DC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.4 µg/m³ | 8.8 µg/m³ | Washington + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Washington + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Rockford
22.7 min
Rockford +
Washington
32.8 min
| Metric | Rockford, IL | Washington, DC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 22.7 min | 32.8 min | Rockford + |
Which City is Right for You?
Washington leads in median household income at $106,287, 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 398 in Washington. Washington has a lower unemployment rate at 6.5%, and Washington has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.8 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Washington scores better with a lower obesity rate of 24.6%.
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