Rockford IL vs Westminster CO — 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%
Westminster, CO
Colorado · Population: 115,546
- Median HH Income$96,145
- Median Home Price$528,447
- Unemployment3.8%
- Bachelor's+44.0%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Rockford
147,649
Rockford +
Westminster
115,546
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Rockford
N/A
Westminster
N/A
Median Age
Rockford
37.5
Westminster
37.5
Tie
Foreign Born
Rockford
12.3%
Rockford +
Westminster
8.2%
White
Rockford
55.5%
Westminster
74.7%
Westminster +
Black
Rockford
21.8%
Rockford +
Westminster
1.2%
Asian
Rockford
3.7%
Westminster
4.7%
Westminster +
Hispanic
Rockford
20.6%
Westminster
23.7%
Westminster +
Spanish at Home
Rockford
N/A
Westminster
N/A
| Metric | Rockford, IL | Westminster, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 147,649 | 115,546 | Rockford + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 37.5 | 37.5 | Tie |
| Foreign Born | 12.3% | 8.2% | Rockford + |
| White | 55.5% | 74.7% | Westminster + |
| Black | 21.8% | 1.2% | Rockford + |
| Asian | 3.7% | 4.7% | Westminster + |
| Hispanic | 20.6% | 23.7% | Westminster + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Rockford
$53,328
Westminster
$96,145
Westminster +
Per Capita Income
Rockford
$30,409
Westminster
$51,982
Westminster +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Rockford
$68,110
Westminster
$76,653
Westminster +
Unemployment Rate
Rockford
8.6%
Westminster
3.8%
Westminster +
Poverty Rate
Rockford
21.9%
Westminster
7.0%
Westminster +
Bachelor's Degree+
Rockford
23.2%
Westminster
44.0%
Westminster +
| Metric | Rockford, IL | Westminster, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $53,328 | $96,145 | Westminster + |
| Per Capita Income | $30,409 | $51,982 | Westminster + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $68,110 | $76,653 | Westminster + |
| Unemployment Rate | 8.6% | 3.8% | Westminster + |
| Poverty Rate | 21.9% | 7.0% | Westminster + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 23.2% | 44.0% | Westminster + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Rockford
$180,220
Rockford +
Westminster
$528,447
Homeownership Rate
Rockford
53.8%
Westminster
63.7%
Westminster +
| Metric | Rockford, IL | Westminster, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $180,220 | $528,447 | Rockford + |
| Homeownership Rate | 53.8% | 63.7% | Westminster + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Rockford
344
Rockford +
Westminster
512
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Rockford
1842
Rockford +
Westminster
3234
| Metric | Rockford, IL | Westminster, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 344 | 512 | Rockford + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1842 | 3234 | Rockford + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Rockford
44.7%
Westminster
27.7%
Westminster +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Rockford
15.4%
Westminster
8.4%
Westminster +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Rockford
19.0%
Westminster
16.1%
Westminster +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Rockford
14.0%
Westminster
11.1%
Westminster +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Rockford
15.5%
Rockford +
Westminster
18.7%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Rockford
18.1%
Westminster
11.1%
Westminster +
| Metric | Rockford, IL | Westminster, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 44.7% | 27.7% | Westminster + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 15.4% | 8.4% | Westminster + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.0% | 16.1% | Westminster + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 14.0% | 11.1% | Westminster + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.5% | 18.7% | Rockford + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 18.1% | 11.1% | Westminster + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Rockford
49.2°F
Westminster
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Rockford
36.2 in
Westminster
N/A
| Metric | Rockford, IL | Westminster, CO | 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
Westminster
6.2 µg/m³
Westminster +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Rockford
55.0%
Westminster
75.0%
Westminster +
| Metric | Rockford, IL | Westminster, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.4 µg/m³ | 6.2 µg/m³ | Westminster + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Westminster + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Rockford
22.7 min
Rockford +
Westminster
28.6 min
| Metric | Rockford, IL | Westminster, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 22.7 min | 28.6 min | Rockford + |
Which City is Right for You?
Westminster leads in median household income at $96,145, 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 512 in Westminster. Westminster has a lower unemployment rate at 3.8%, and Westminster has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 6.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Westminster scores better with a lower obesity rate of 27.7%.
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