Rockford IL vs Winston-Salem NC — 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%
Winston-Salem, NC
North Carolina · Population: 118,578
- Median HH Income$63,900
- Median Home Price$265,013
- Unemployment4.6%
- Bachelor's+45.8%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Rockford
147,649
Rockford +
Winston-Salem
118,578
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Rockford
N/A
Winston-Salem
N/A
Median Age
Rockford
37.5
Winston-Salem
37.5
Tie
Foreign Born
Rockford
12.3%
Rockford +
Winston-Salem
5.7%
White
Rockford
55.5%
Winston-Salem
72.9%
Winston-Salem +
Black
Rockford
21.8%
Rockford +
Winston-Salem
14.9%
Asian
Rockford
3.7%
Rockford +
Winston-Salem
1.3%
Hispanic
Rockford
20.6%
Rockford +
Winston-Salem
8.9%
Spanish at Home
Rockford
N/A
Winston-Salem
N/A
| Metric | Rockford, IL | Winston-Salem, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 147,649 | 118,578 | Rockford + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 37.5 | 37.5 | Tie |
| Foreign Born | 12.3% | 5.7% | Rockford + |
| White | 55.5% | 72.9% | Winston-Salem + |
| Black | 21.8% | 14.9% | Rockford + |
| Asian | 3.7% | 1.3% | Rockford + |
| Hispanic | 20.6% | 8.9% | Rockford + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Rockford
$53,328
Winston-Salem
$63,900
Winston-Salem +
Per Capita Income
Rockford
$30,409
Winston-Salem
$46,062
Winston-Salem +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Rockford
$68,110
Rockford +
Winston-Salem
$59,120
Unemployment Rate
Rockford
8.6%
Winston-Salem
4.6%
Winston-Salem +
Poverty Rate
Rockford
21.9%
Winston-Salem
16.3%
Winston-Salem +
Bachelor's Degree+
Rockford
23.2%
Winston-Salem
45.8%
Winston-Salem +
| Metric | Rockford, IL | Winston-Salem, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $53,328 | $63,900 | Winston-Salem + |
| Per Capita Income | $30,409 | $46,062 | Winston-Salem + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $68,110 | $59,120 | Rockford + |
| Unemployment Rate | 8.6% | 4.6% | Winston-Salem + |
| Poverty Rate | 21.9% | 16.3% | Winston-Salem + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 23.2% | 45.8% | Winston-Salem + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Rockford
$180,220
Rockford +
Winston-Salem
$265,013
Homeownership Rate
Rockford
53.8%
Rockford +
Winston-Salem
46.8%
| Metric | Rockford, IL | Winston-Salem, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $180,220 | $265,013 | Rockford + |
| Homeownership Rate | 53.8% | 46.8% | Rockford + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Rockford
344
Rockford +
Winston-Salem
398
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Rockford
1842
Rockford +
Winston-Salem
1999
| Metric | Rockford, IL | Winston-Salem, NC | 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%
Winston-Salem
42.7%
Winston-Salem +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Rockford
15.4%
Winston-Salem
13.1%
Winston-Salem +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Rockford
19.0%
Winston-Salem
17.4%
Winston-Salem +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Rockford
14.0%
Winston-Salem
12.8%
Winston-Salem +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Rockford
15.5%
Winston-Salem
14.4%
Winston-Salem +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Rockford
18.1%
Winston-Salem
14.4%
Winston-Salem +
| Metric | Rockford, IL | Winston-Salem, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 44.7% | 42.7% | Winston-Salem + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 15.4% | 13.1% | Winston-Salem + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.0% | 17.4% | Winston-Salem + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 14.0% | 12.8% | Winston-Salem + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.5% | 14.4% | Winston-Salem + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 18.1% | 14.4% | Winston-Salem + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Rockford
49.2°F
Winston-Salem
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Rockford
36.2 in
Winston-Salem
N/A
| Metric | Rockford, IL | Winston-Salem, NC | 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
Winston-Salem
8.7 µg/m³
Winston-Salem +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Rockford
55.0%
Winston-Salem
75.0%
Winston-Salem +
| Metric | Rockford, IL | Winston-Salem, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.4 µg/m³ | 8.7 µg/m³ | Winston-Salem + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Winston-Salem + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Rockford
22.7 min
Winston-Salem
20.0 min
Winston-Salem +
| Metric | Rockford, IL | Winston-Salem, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 22.7 min | 20.0 min | Winston-Salem + |
Which City is Right for You?
Winston-Salem leads in median household income at $63,900, 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 Winston-Salem. Winston-Salem has a lower unemployment rate at 4.6%, and Winston-Salem has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.7 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Winston-Salem scores better with a lower obesity rate of 42.7%.
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