Head-to-Head · City Comparison
Anaheim, CA
VS
Rockford, IL
🏆 Anaheim leads 12 of 23 categories
Anaheim
California
12
wins
Cost of Living Index
115.5⚠ High
Median Household Income
$88,538 ✓ Higher
Violent Crime Index
157⚠ High ✓ Safer
Population
347,111 ✓ Larger
Rockford
Illinois
11
wins
Cost of Living Index
90.1 ✓ Cheaper
Median Household Income
$50,744
Violent Crime Index
284⚠ High
Population
148,173
Pros & Cons
Auto-generated from official data — head-to-head differences and gaps vs the national average.
Anaheim, CA
Pros
Households earn $37,794 more per year on average
45% less violent crime than Rockford
Stronger job market — unemployment is 3.6 pts lower (5.4%)
Milder winters — January highs near 71°F vs 29°F
More college-educated — 28.1% hold a bachelor's or higher
Cons
Pricier housing — median home is $713,600
Higher rents — median is $1,958/mo
Cost of living runs 25% higher than Rockford
Violent crime (596.2/100k) is above the U.S. average of 380
Rockford, IL
Pros
Homes cost $600k less ($114,100 vs $713,600)
Rent averages $1052/mo less ($906 vs $1,958)
25% cheaper overall cost of living than Anaheim
Commutes run 7 min shorter each way
Living costs sit below the national average (index 90.1)
Smaller class sizes — 17.4:1 student-teacher ratio
Cons
Median income trails Anaheim by $37,794/yr
Violent crime (1080.0/100k) is above the U.S. average of 380
Property crime (2517.2/100k) runs high vs the U.S. average
Higher unemployment (9.0% vs 5.4%)
Key Differences at a Glance
Anaheim
Median Income
$37,794
$88,538 vs $50,744/yr
Anaheim
Violent Crime
45% lower
596.2 vs 1080.0 per 100k
Anaheim
Unemployment
3.6 pp lower
5.4% vs 9.0% unemployment
Rockford
Cost of Living
25% cheaper
COL index 90.1 vs 115.5 (100 = US avg)
Rockford
Median Home Value
$600k less
$114,100 vs $713,600
Full Data Comparison
| Metric | Anaheim, CA | Rockford, IL |
|---|---|---|
| 💰 Cost of Living | ||
| Cost of Living Index National avg = 100 · lower = cheaper | 115.5⚠ High | 90.1 ✓ Cheaper |
| Median Home Value | $713,600⚠ High | $114,100 ✓ Lower |
| Median Monthly Rent | $1,958⚠ High | $906 ✓ Lower |
| 📈 Income & Economy | ||
| Median Household Income | $88,538 ✓ Higher | $50,744 |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.4%⚠ High ✓ Lower | 9.0%⚠ High |
| Avg Commute Minutes each way | 28.4 min⚠ High | 21.4 min ✓ Shorter |
| Work From Home % | 7.8% ✓ Higher | 7.1% |
| 🔒 Safety | ||
| Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer · 60% violent / 40% property | 135⚠ High ✓ Safer | 218⚠ High |
| Violent Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 157⚠ High ✓ Safer | 284⚠ High |
| Property Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 102⚠ High ✓ Safer | 120⚠ High |
| 🎓 Education | ||
| School Quality 100 = national avg · grad rate, staffing & attainment | C- (74) | C (79) ✓ Better |
| Student-Teacher Ratio Lower = smaller classes | 23.0:1 | 17.4:1 ✓ Smaller |
| Bachelor's Degree or Higher | 28.1% ✓ Higher | 23.1% |
| High School or Higher | 77.8% | 85.4% ✓ Higher |
| School District Name only — no quality rating available | Anaheim Elementary | Rockford SD 205 |
| 🌤 Weather | ||
| Avg High — January | 71.0°F ✓ Warmer | 29.1°F |
| Avg High — July | 86.8°F ✓ Warmer | 83.9°F |
| Annual Precipitation | 14.2" ✓ Drier | 38.0" |
| Annual Snowfall | 0.0" ✓ Less | 37.1" |
| 👥 Demographics | ||
| Population | 347,111 ✓ Larger | 148,173 |
| Median Age | 35.4 | 37.5 ✓ Older |
| Homeownership Rate | 46.6% | 54.1% ✓ Higher |
| Under 18 | 22.9% | 24.5% ✓ More |
| Over 65 | 12.2% | 17.4% ✓ More |
Frequently Asked Questions
Anaheim's cost of living index is 115.5 vs Rockford's 90.1 (US average = 100).
Rockford is 25% less expensive overall.
Based on the 23 decided categories above, Anaheim leads 12 of 23 categories. Anaheim wins 12 and Rockford wins 11. The right choice depends on your priorities — use the Pros & Cons and full table above to weigh what matters to you.
Whether you're moving from Anaheim to Rockford or relocating the other way, focus on the biggest gaps: housing ($713,600 vs $114,100 median home), income ($88,538 vs $50,744), safety, and schools — all covered in the full table above.
Anaheim, CA and Rockford, IL are about 1,656 miles apart (straight-line distance). Driving distance will be longer depending on the route.