Head-to-Head · City Comparison
Hemet, CA
VS
Rockford, IL
🏆 Rockford leads 12 of 23 categories
Hemet
California
11
wins
Cost of Living Index
107.9⚠ High
Median Household Income
$49,901
Violent Crime Index
112⚠ High ✓ Safer
Population
89,651
Rockford
Illinois
12
wins
Cost of Living Index
90.1 ✓ Cheaper
Median Household Income
$50,744 ✓ Higher
Violent Crime Index
284⚠ High
Population
148,173 ✓ Larger
Pros & Cons
Auto-generated from official data — head-to-head differences and gaps vs the national average.
Hemet, CA
Pros
61% less violent crime than Rockford
Milder winters — January highs near 66°F vs 29°F
Cons
Higher rents — median is $1,357/mo
Cost of living runs 18% higher than Rockford
Longer commutes — 36.8 min average each way
Rockford, IL
Pros
Homes cost $163k less ($114,100 vs $277,200)
Rent averages $451/mo less ($906 vs $1,357)
Commutes run 15 min shorter each way
18% cheaper overall cost of living than Hemet
Stronger job market — unemployment is 0.5 pts lower (9.0%)
More college-educated — 23.1% hold a bachelor's or higher
Cons
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
Key Differences at a Glance
Hemet
Violent Crime
61% lower
424.8 vs 1080.0 per 100k
Hemet
Summer Heat
11.2°F warmer
July avg high 95.1°F vs 83.9°F
Rockford
Cost of Living
18% cheaper
COL index 90.1 vs 107.9 (100 = US avg)
Rockford
Median Income
$843
$50,744 vs $49,901/yr
Rockford
Median Home Value
$163k less
$114,100 vs $277,200
Rockford
Unemployment
0.5 pp lower
9.0% vs 9.5% unemployment
Full Data Comparison
| Metric | Hemet, CA | Rockford, IL |
|---|---|---|
| 💰 Cost of Living | ||
| Cost of Living Index National avg = 100 · lower = cheaper | 107.9⚠ High | 90.1 ✓ Cheaper |
| Median Home Value | $277,200 | $114,100 ✓ Lower |
| Median Monthly Rent | $1,357⚠ High | $906 ✓ Lower |
| 📈 Income & Economy | ||
| Median Household Income | $49,901 | $50,744 ✓ Higher |
| Unemployment Rate | 9.5%⚠ High | 9.0%⚠ High ✓ Lower |
| Avg Commute Minutes each way | 36.8 min⚠ High | 21.4 min ✓ Shorter |
| Work From Home % | 7.6% ✓ Higher | 7.1% |
| 🔒 Safety | ||
| Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer · 60% violent / 40% property | 98 ✓ Safer | 218⚠ High |
| Violent Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 112⚠ High ✓ Safer | 284⚠ High |
| Property Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 78 ✓ Safer | 120⚠ High |
| 🎓 Education | ||
| School Quality 100 = national avg · grad rate, staffing & attainment | C (78) | C (79) ✓ Better |
| Student-Teacher Ratio Lower = smaller classes | 21.9:1 | 17.4:1 ✓ Smaller |
| Bachelor's Degree or Higher | 13.9% | 23.1% ✓ Higher |
| High School or Higher | 79.9% | 85.4% ✓ Higher |
| School District Name only — no quality rating available | Hemet Unified | Rockford SD 205 |
| 🌤 Weather | ||
| Avg High — January | 65.8°F ✓ Warmer | 29.1°F |
| Avg High — July | 95.1°F ✓ Warmer | 83.9°F |
| Annual Precipitation | 12.2" ✓ Drier | 38.0" |
| Annual Snowfall | 0.0" ✓ Less | 37.1" |
| 👥 Demographics | ||
| Population | 89,651 | 148,173 ✓ Larger |
| Median Age | 39.0 ✓ Older | 37.5 |
| Homeownership Rate | 61.1% ✓ Higher | 54.1% |
| Under 18 | 24.1% | 24.5% ✓ More |
| Over 65 | 22.4% ✓ More | 17.4% |
Frequently Asked Questions
Hemet's cost of living index is 107.9 vs Rockford's 90.1 (US average = 100).
Rockford is 18% less expensive overall.
Based on the 23 decided categories above, Rockford leads 12 of 23 categories. Hemet wins 11 and Rockford wins 12. 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 Hemet to Rockford or relocating the other way, focus on the biggest gaps: housing ($277,200 vs $114,100 median home), income ($49,901 vs $50,744), safety, and schools — all covered in the full table above.
Hemet, CA and Rockford, IL are about 1,622 miles apart (straight-line distance). Driving distance will be longer depending on the route.