Head-to-Head · City Comparison
Elk Grove, CA
VS
Rockford, IL
🏆 Elk Grove leads 17 of 23 categories
Elk Grove
California
17
wins
Cost of Living Index
108.9⚠ High
Median Household Income
$115,864 ✓ Higher
Violent Crime Index
50 ✓ Safer
Population
176,105 ✓ Larger
Rockford
Illinois
6
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.
Elk Grove, CA
Pros
Households earn $65,120 more per year on average
82% less violent crime than Rockford
Stronger job market — unemployment is 2.6 pts lower (6.4%)
Violent crime is well below the national average (189.9 vs 380/100k)
Milder winters — January highs near 56°F vs 29°F
More college-educated — 37.0% hold a bachelor's or higher
Cons
Pricier housing — median home is $560,500
Higher rents — median is $2,076/mo
Cost of living runs 19% higher than Rockford
Longer commutes — 33.1 min average each way
Rockford, IL
Pros
Homes cost $446k less ($114,100 vs $560,500)
Rent averages $1170/mo less ($906 vs $2,076)
19% cheaper overall cost of living than Elk Grove
Commutes run 12 min shorter each way
Living costs sit below the national average (index 90.1)
Cooler summers — July highs near 84°F vs 93°F
Cons
Median income trails Elk Grove by $65,120/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 6.4%)
Key Differences at a Glance
Elk Grove
Median Income
$65,120
$115,864 vs $50,744/yr
Elk Grove
Violent Crime
82% lower
189.9 vs 1080.0 per 100k
Elk Grove
Unemployment
2.6 pp lower
6.4% vs 9.0% unemployment
Elk Grove
Summer Heat
8.7°F warmer
July avg high 92.6°F vs 83.9°F
Rockford
Cost of Living
19% cheaper
COL index 90.1 vs 108.9 (100 = US avg)
Rockford
Median Home Value
$446k less
$114,100 vs $560,500
Full Data Comparison
| Metric | Elk Grove, CA | Rockford, IL |
|---|---|---|
| 💰 Cost of Living | ||
| Cost of Living Index National avg = 100 · lower = cheaper | 108.9⚠ High | 90.1 ✓ Cheaper |
| Median Home Value | $560,500⚠ High | $114,100 ✓ Lower |
| Median Monthly Rent | $2,076⚠ High | $906 ✓ Lower |
| 📈 Income & Economy | ||
| Median Household Income | $115,864 ✓ Higher | $50,744 |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.4%⚠ High ✓ Lower | 9.0%⚠ High |
| Avg Commute Minutes each way | 33.1 min⚠ High | 21.4 min ✓ Shorter |
| Work From Home % | 16.7% ✓ Higher | 7.1% |
| 🔒 Safety | ||
| Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer · 60% violent / 40% property | 53 ✓ Safer | 218⚠ High |
| Violent Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 50 ✓ Safer | 284⚠ High |
| Property Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 59 ✓ Safer | 120⚠ High |
| 🎓 Education | ||
| School Quality 100 = national avg · grad rate, staffing & attainment | B- (96) ✓ Better | C (79) |
| Student-Teacher Ratio Lower = smaller classes | 22.7:1 | 17.4:1 ✓ Smaller |
| Bachelor's Degree or Higher | 37.0% ✓ Higher | 23.1% |
| High School or Higher | 90.7% ✓ Higher | 85.4% |
| School District Name only — no quality rating available | Elk Grove Unified | Rockford SD 205 |
| 🌤 Weather | ||
| Avg High — January | 56.0°F ✓ Warmer | 29.1°F |
| Avg High — July | 92.6°F ✓ Warmer | 83.9°F |
| Annual Precipitation | 18.1" ✓ Drier | 38.0" |
| Annual Snowfall | 0.0" ✓ Less | 37.1" |
| 👥 Demographics | ||
| Population | 176,105 ✓ Larger | 148,173 |
| Median Age | 38.7 ✓ Older | 37.5 |
| Homeownership Rate | 73.8% ✓ Higher | 54.1% |
| Under 18 | 25.9% ✓ More | 24.5% |
| Over 65 | 13.3% | 17.4% ✓ More |
Frequently Asked Questions
Elk Grove's cost of living index is 108.9 vs Rockford's 90.1 (US average = 100).
Rockford is 19% less expensive overall.
Based on the 23 decided categories above, Elk Grove leads 17 of 23 categories. Elk Grove wins 17 and Rockford wins 6. 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 Elk Grove to Rockford or relocating the other way, focus on the biggest gaps: housing ($560,500 vs $114,100 median home), income ($115,864 vs $50,744), safety, and schools — all covered in the full table above.
Elk Grove, CA and Rockford, IL are about 1,712 miles apart (straight-line distance). Driving distance will be longer depending on the route.