Rockford IL vs Wilmington DE — 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%
Wilmington, DE
Delaware · Population: 71,124
- Median HH Income$55,269
- Median Home Price$327,117
- Unemployment7.6%
- Bachelor's+33.1%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Rockford
147,649
Rockford +
Wilmington
71,124
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Rockford
N/A
Wilmington
N/A
Median Age
Rockford
37.5
Wilmington
37.0
Wilmington +
Foreign Born
Rockford
12.3%
Rockford +
Wilmington
8.3%
White
Rockford
55.5%
Rockford +
Wilmington
32.4%
Black
Rockford
21.8%
Wilmington
52.3%
Wilmington +
Asian
Rockford
3.7%
Rockford +
Wilmington
1.6%
Hispanic
Rockford
20.6%
Rockford +
Wilmington
11.8%
Spanish at Home
Rockford
N/A
Wilmington
N/A
| Metric | Rockford, IL | Wilmington, DE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 147,649 | 71,124 | Rockford + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 37.5 | 37.0 | Wilmington + |
| Foreign Born | 12.3% | 8.3% | Rockford + |
| White | 55.5% | 32.4% | Rockford + |
| Black | 21.8% | 52.3% | Wilmington + |
| Asian | 3.7% | 1.6% | Rockford + |
| Hispanic | 20.6% | 11.8% | Rockford + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Rockford
$53,328
Wilmington
$55,269
Wilmington +
Per Capita Income
Rockford
$30,409
Wilmington
$38,786
Wilmington +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Rockford
$68,110
Rockford +
Wilmington
$64,087
Unemployment Rate
Rockford
8.6%
Wilmington
7.6%
Wilmington +
Poverty Rate
Rockford
21.9%
Rockford +
Wilmington
23.2%
Bachelor's Degree+
Rockford
23.2%
Wilmington
33.1%
Wilmington +
| Metric | Rockford, IL | Wilmington, DE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $53,328 | $55,269 | Wilmington + |
| Per Capita Income | $30,409 | $38,786 | Wilmington + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $68,110 | $64,087 | Rockford + |
| Unemployment Rate | 8.6% | 7.6% | Wilmington + |
| Poverty Rate | 21.9% | 23.2% | Rockford + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 23.2% | 33.1% | Wilmington + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Rockford
$180,220
Rockford +
Wilmington
$327,117
Homeownership Rate
Rockford
53.8%
Rockford +
Wilmington
46.0%
| Metric | Rockford, IL | Wilmington, DE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $180,220 | $327,117 | Rockford + |
| Homeownership Rate | 53.8% | 46.0% | Rockford + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Rockford
344
Rockford +
Wilmington
394
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Rockford
1842
Rockford +
Wilmington
1991
| Metric | Rockford, IL | Wilmington, DE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 344 | 394 | Rockford + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1842 | 1991 | Rockford + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Rockford
44.7%
Wilmington
41.0%
Wilmington +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Rockford
15.4%
Rockford +
Wilmington
16.0%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Rockford
19.0%
Wilmington
18.4%
Wilmington +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Rockford
14.0%
Wilmington
12.7%
Wilmington +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Rockford
15.5%
Wilmington
13.5%
Wilmington +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Rockford
18.1%
Wilmington
16.4%
Wilmington +
| Metric | Rockford, IL | Wilmington, DE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 44.7% | 41.0% | Wilmington + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 15.4% | 16.0% | Rockford + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.0% | 18.4% | Wilmington + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 14.0% | 12.7% | Wilmington + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.5% | 13.5% | Wilmington + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 18.1% | 16.4% | Wilmington + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Rockford
49.2°F
Rockford +
Wilmington
54.4°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Rockford
36.2 in
Rockford +
Wilmington
49.3 in
| Metric | Rockford, IL | Wilmington, DE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 49.2°F | 54.4°F | Rockford + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 36.2 in | 49.3 in | Rockford + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Rockford
9.4 µg/m³
Wilmington
8.8 µg/m³
Wilmington +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Rockford
55.0%
Wilmington
75.0%
Wilmington +
| Metric | Rockford, IL | Wilmington, DE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.4 µg/m³ | 8.8 µg/m³ | Wilmington + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Wilmington + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Rockford
22.7 min
Rockford +
Wilmington
25.0 min
| Metric | Rockford, IL | Wilmington, DE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 22.7 min | 25.0 min | Rockford + |
Which City is Right for You?
Wilmington leads in median household income at $55,269, 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 394 in Wilmington. Wilmington has a lower unemployment rate at 7.6%, and Wilmington has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.8 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Wilmington scores better with a lower obesity rate of 41.0%.
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