Rockford IL vs Yonkers NY — 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%
Yonkers, NY
New York · Population: 209,529
- Median HH Income$81,816
- Median Home Price$685,544
- Unemployment7.4%
- Bachelor's+35.2%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Rockford
147,649
Yonkers
209,529
Yonkers +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Rockford
N/A
Yonkers
N/A
Median Age
Rockford
37.5
Rockford +
Yonkers
39.0
Foreign Born
Rockford
12.3%
Yonkers
32.6%
Yonkers +
White
Rockford
55.5%
Rockford +
Yonkers
38.0%
Black
Rockford
21.8%
Rockford +
Yonkers
17.3%
Asian
Rockford
3.7%
Yonkers
5.1%
Yonkers +
Hispanic
Rockford
20.6%
Yonkers
44.4%
Yonkers +
Spanish at Home
Rockford
N/A
Yonkers
N/A
| Metric | Rockford, IL | Yonkers, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 147,649 | 209,529 | Yonkers + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 37.5 | 39.0 | Rockford + |
| Foreign Born | 12.3% | 32.6% | Yonkers + |
| White | 55.5% | 38.0% | Rockford + |
| Black | 21.8% | 17.3% | Rockford + |
| Asian | 3.7% | 5.1% | Yonkers + |
| Hispanic | 20.6% | 44.4% | Yonkers + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Rockford
$53,328
Yonkers
$81,816
Yonkers +
Per Capita Income
Rockford
$30,409
Yonkers
$42,770
Yonkers +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Rockford
$68,110
Yonkers
$77,425
Yonkers +
Unemployment Rate
Rockford
8.6%
Yonkers
7.4%
Yonkers +
Poverty Rate
Rockford
21.9%
Yonkers
14.7%
Yonkers +
Bachelor's Degree+
Rockford
23.2%
Yonkers
35.2%
Yonkers +
| Metric | Rockford, IL | Yonkers, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $53,328 | $81,816 | Yonkers + |
| Per Capita Income | $30,409 | $42,770 | Yonkers + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $68,110 | $77,425 | Yonkers + |
| Unemployment Rate | 8.6% | 7.4% | Yonkers + |
| Poverty Rate | 21.9% | 14.7% | Yonkers + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 23.2% | 35.2% | Yonkers + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Rockford
$180,220
Rockford +
Yonkers
$685,544
Homeownership Rate
Rockford
53.8%
Rockford +
Yonkers
47.2%
| Metric | Rockford, IL | Yonkers, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $180,220 | $685,544 | Rockford + |
| Homeownership Rate | 53.8% | 47.2% | Rockford + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Rockford
344
Rockford +
Yonkers
434
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Rockford
1842
Yonkers
1736
Yonkers +
| Metric | Rockford, IL | Yonkers, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 344 | 434 | Rockford + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1842 | 1736 | Yonkers + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Rockford
44.7%
Yonkers
29.3%
Yonkers +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Rockford
15.4%
Yonkers
12.4%
Yonkers +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Rockford
19.0%
Yonkers
15.2%
Yonkers +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Rockford
14.0%
Yonkers
12.7%
Yonkers +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Rockford
15.5%
Yonkers
14.3%
Yonkers +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Rockford
18.1%
Yonkers
11.9%
Yonkers +
| Metric | Rockford, IL | Yonkers, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 44.7% | 29.3% | Yonkers + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 15.4% | 12.4% | Yonkers + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.0% | 15.2% | Yonkers + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 14.0% | 12.7% | Yonkers + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.5% | 14.3% | Yonkers + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 18.1% | 11.9% | Yonkers + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Rockford
49.2°F
Yonkers
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Rockford
36.2 in
Yonkers
N/A
| Metric | Rockford, IL | Yonkers, NY | 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
Yonkers
8.1 µg/m³
Yonkers +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Rockford
55.0%
Yonkers
75.0%
Yonkers +
| Metric | Rockford, IL | Yonkers, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.4 µg/m³ | 8.1 µg/m³ | Yonkers + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Yonkers + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Rockford
22.7 min
Rockford +
Yonkers
37.5 min
| Metric | Rockford, IL | Yonkers, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 22.7 min | 37.5 min | Rockford + |
Which City is Right for You?
Yonkers leads in median household income at $81,816, 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 434 in Yonkers. Yonkers has a lower unemployment rate at 7.4%, and Yonkers has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.1 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Yonkers scores better with a lower obesity rate of 29.3%.
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