Rockford IL vs Westland MI — 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%
Westland, MI
Michigan · Population: 84,155
- Median HH Income$62,216
- Median Home Price$215,089
- Unemployment5.3%
- Bachelor's+21.7%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Rockford
147,649
Rockford +
Westland
84,155
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Rockford
N/A
Westland
N/A
Median Age
Rockford
37.5
Rockford +
Westland
38.2
Foreign Born
Rockford
12.3%
Rockford +
Westland
9.2%
White
Rockford
55.5%
Westland
63.7%
Westland +
Black
Rockford
21.8%
Westland
22.6%
Westland +
Asian
Rockford
3.7%
Westland
3.8%
Westland +
Hispanic
Rockford
20.6%
Rockford +
Westland
5.0%
Spanish at Home
Rockford
N/A
Westland
N/A
| Metric | Rockford, IL | Westland, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 147,649 | 84,155 | Rockford + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 37.5 | 38.2 | Rockford + |
| Foreign Born | 12.3% | 9.2% | Rockford + |
| White | 55.5% | 63.7% | Westland + |
| Black | 21.8% | 22.6% | Westland + |
| Asian | 3.7% | 3.8% | Westland + |
| Hispanic | 20.6% | 5.0% | Rockford + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Rockford
$53,328
Westland
$62,216
Westland +
Per Capita Income
Rockford
$30,409
Westland
$33,816
Westland +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Rockford
$68,110
Rockford +
Westland
$58,052
Unemployment Rate
Rockford
8.6%
Westland
5.3%
Westland +
Poverty Rate
Rockford
21.9%
Westland
13.3%
Westland +
Bachelor's Degree+
Rockford
23.2%
Rockford +
Westland
21.7%
| Metric | Rockford, IL | Westland, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $53,328 | $62,216 | Westland + |
| Per Capita Income | $30,409 | $33,816 | Westland + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $68,110 | $58,052 | Rockford + |
| Unemployment Rate | 8.6% | 5.3% | Westland + |
| Poverty Rate | 21.9% | 13.3% | Westland + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 23.2% | 21.7% | Rockford + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Rockford
$180,220
Rockford +
Westland
$215,089
Homeownership Rate
Rockford
53.8%
Westland
61.1%
Westland +
| Metric | Rockford, IL | Westland, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $180,220 | $215,089 | Rockford + |
| Homeownership Rate | 53.8% | 61.1% | Westland + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Rockford
344
Rockford +
Westland
471
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Rockford
1842
Westland
1590
Westland +
| Metric | Rockford, IL | Westland, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 344 | 471 | Rockford + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1842 | 1590 | Westland + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Rockford
44.7%
Westland
34.7%
Westland +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Rockford
15.4%
Westland
12.3%
Westland +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Rockford
19.0%
Rockford +
Westland
20.0%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Rockford
14.0%
Westland
7.3%
Westland +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Rockford
15.5%
Rockford +
Westland
15.6%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Rockford
18.1%
Westland
16.6%
Westland +
| Metric | Rockford, IL | Westland, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 44.7% | 34.7% | Westland + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 15.4% | 12.3% | Westland + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.0% | 20.0% | Rockford + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 14.0% | 7.3% | Westland + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.5% | 15.6% | Rockford + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 18.1% | 16.6% | Westland + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Rockford
49.2°F
Westland
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Rockford
36.2 in
Westland
N/A
| Metric | Rockford, IL | Westland, MI | 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
Rockford +
Westland
10.7 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Rockford
55.0%
Westland
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Rockford, IL | Westland, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.4 µg/m³ | 10.7 µg/m³ | Rockford + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 55.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Rockford
22.7 min
Rockford +
Westland
27.0 min
| Metric | Rockford, IL | Westland, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 22.7 min | 27.0 min | Rockford + |
Which City is Right for You?
Westland leads in median household income at $62,216, 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 471 in Westland. Westland has a lower unemployment rate at 5.3%, and Rockford has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 9.4 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Westland scores better with a lower obesity rate of 34.7%.
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