Rockford IL vs Waterbury CT — 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%
Waterbury, CT
Connecticut · Population: N/A
- Median HH IncomeN/A
- Median Home Price$280,921
- UnemploymentN/A
- Bachelor's+N/A
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Rockford
147,649
Waterbury
N/A
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Rockford
N/A
Waterbury
N/A
Median Age
Rockford
37.5
Waterbury
N/A
Foreign Born
Rockford
12.3%
Waterbury
N/A
White
Rockford
55.5%
Waterbury
N/A
Black
Rockford
21.8%
Waterbury
N/A
Asian
Rockford
3.7%
Waterbury
N/A
Hispanic
Rockford
20.6%
Waterbury
N/A
Spanish at Home
Rockford
N/A
Waterbury
N/A
| Metric | Rockford, IL | Waterbury, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 147,649 | N/A | - |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 37.5 | N/A | - |
| Foreign Born | 12.3% | N/A | - |
| White | 55.5% | N/A | - |
| Black | 21.8% | N/A | - |
| Asian | 3.7% | N/A | - |
| Hispanic | 20.6% | N/A | - |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Rockford
$53,328
Waterbury
N/A
Per Capita Income
Rockford
$30,409
Waterbury
N/A
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Rockford
$68,110
Waterbury
$85,393
Waterbury +
Unemployment Rate
Rockford
8.6%
Waterbury
N/A
Poverty Rate
Rockford
21.9%
Waterbury
N/A
Bachelor's Degree+
Rockford
23.2%
Waterbury
N/A
| Metric | Rockford, IL | Waterbury, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $53,328 | N/A | - |
| Per Capita Income | $30,409 | N/A | - |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $68,110 | $85,393 | Waterbury + |
| Unemployment Rate | 8.6% | N/A | - |
| Poverty Rate | 21.9% | N/A | - |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 23.2% | N/A | - |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Rockford
$180,220
Rockford +
Waterbury
$280,921
Homeownership Rate
Rockford
53.8%
Waterbury
N/A
| Metric | Rockford, IL | Waterbury, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $180,220 | $280,921 | Rockford + |
| Homeownership Rate | 53.8% | N/A | - |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Rockford
344
Waterbury
156
Waterbury +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Rockford
1842
Waterbury
1524
Waterbury +
| Metric | Rockford, IL | Waterbury, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 344 | 156 | Waterbury + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1842 | 1524 | Waterbury + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Rockford
44.7%
Waterbury
40.5%
Waterbury +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Rockford
15.4%
Waterbury
14.1%
Waterbury +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Rockford
19.0%
Rockford +
Waterbury
19.1%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Rockford
14.0%
Rockford +
Waterbury
18.5%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Rockford
15.5%
Waterbury
13.2%
Waterbury +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Rockford
18.1%
Waterbury
16.2%
Waterbury +
| Metric | Rockford, IL | Waterbury, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 44.7% | 40.5% | Waterbury + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 15.4% | 14.1% | Waterbury + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.0% | 19.1% | Rockford + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 14.0% | 18.5% | Rockford + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.5% | 13.2% | Waterbury + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 18.1% | 16.2% | Waterbury + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Rockford
49.2°F
Waterbury
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Rockford
36.2 in
Waterbury
N/A
| Metric | Rockford, IL | Waterbury, CT | 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
Waterbury
7.7 µg/m³
Waterbury +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Rockford
55.0%
Waterbury
75.0%
Waterbury +
| Metric | Rockford, IL | Waterbury, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.4 µg/m³ | 7.7 µg/m³ | Waterbury + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Waterbury + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Rockford
22.7 min
Waterbury
N/A
| Metric | Rockford, IL | Waterbury, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 22.7 min | N/A | - |
Which City is Right for You?
Rockford offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $180,220. On public safety, Waterbury is safer with a violent crime rate of 156 per 100,000 residents, compared to 344 in Rockford. Waterbury has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.7 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Waterbury scores better with a lower obesity rate of 40.5%.
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