Head-to-Head · City Comparison
Longmont, CO
VS
Rockford, IL
🏆 Longmont leads 14 of 23 categories
Longmont
Colorado
14
wins
Cost of Living Index
103.4⚠ High
Median Household Income
$89,720 ✓ Higher
Violent Crime Index
124⚠ High ✓ Safer
Population
98,282
Rockford
Illinois
9
wins
Cost of Living Index
90.1 ✓ Cheaper
Median Household Income
$50,744
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.
Longmont, CO
Pros
Households earn $38,976 more per year on average
57% less violent crime than Rockford
Stronger job market — unemployment is 4.9 pts lower (4.1%)
More college-educated — 46.0% hold a bachelor's or higher
Milder winters — January highs near 45°F vs 29°F
Cons
Pricier housing — median home is $488,100
Higher rents — median is $1,689/mo
Violent crime (469.3/100k) is above the U.S. average of 380
Cost of living runs 13% higher than Rockford
Rockford, IL
Pros
Homes cost $374k less ($114,100 vs $488,100)
Rent averages $783/mo less ($906 vs $1,689)
13% cheaper overall cost of living than Longmont
Commutes run 4 min shorter each way
Living costs sit below the national average (index 90.1)
Cooler summers — July highs near 84°F vs 91°F
Cons
Median income trails Longmont by $38,976/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 4.1%)
Key Differences at a Glance
Longmont
Median Income
$38,976
$89,720 vs $50,744/yr
Longmont
Violent Crime
57% lower
469.3 vs 1080.0 per 100k
Longmont
Unemployment
4.9 pp lower
4.1% vs 9.0% unemployment
Longmont
Summer Heat
6.9°F warmer
July avg high 90.8°F vs 83.9°F
Rockford
Cost of Living
13% cheaper
COL index 90.1 vs 103.4 (100 = US avg)
Rockford
Median Home Value
$374k less
$114,100 vs $488,100
Full Data Comparison
| Metric | Longmont, CO | Rockford, IL |
|---|---|---|
| 💰 Cost of Living | ||
| Cost of Living Index National avg = 100 · lower = cheaper | 103.4⚠ High | 90.1 ✓ Cheaper |
| Median Home Value | $488,100⚠ High | $114,100 ✓ Lower |
| Median Monthly Rent | $1,689⚠ High | $906 ✓ Lower |
| 📈 Income & Economy | ||
| Median Household Income | $89,720 ✓ Higher | $50,744 |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.1%⚠ High ✓ Lower | 9.0%⚠ High |
| Avg Commute Minutes each way | 25.4 min | 21.4 min ✓ Shorter |
| Work From Home % | 17.2% ✓ Higher | 7.1% |
| 🔒 Safety | ||
| Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer · 60% violent / 40% property | 124⚠ High ✓ Safer | 218⚠ High |
| Violent Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 124⚠ High ✓ Safer | 284⚠ High |
| Property Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 125⚠ High | 120⚠ High ✓ Safer |
| 🎓 Education | ||
| School Quality 100 = national avg · grad rate, staffing & attainment | B+ (109) ✓ Better | C (79) |
| Student-Teacher Ratio Lower = smaller classes | 16.2:1 ✓ Smaller | 17.4:1 |
| Bachelor's Degree or Higher | 46.0% ✓ Higher | 23.1% |
| High School or Higher | 92.4% ✓ Higher | 85.4% |
| School District Name only — no quality rating available | St. Vrain Valley School District No. Re1J | Rockford SD 205 |
| 🌤 Weather | ||
| Avg High — January | 44.5°F ✓ Warmer | 29.1°F |
| Avg High — July | 90.8°F ✓ Warmer | 83.9°F |
| Annual Precipitation | 16.1" ✓ Drier | 38.0" |
| Annual Snowfall | 47.4" | 37.1" ✓ Less |
| 👥 Demographics | ||
| Population | 98,282 | 148,173 ✓ Larger |
| Median Age | 39.7 ✓ Older | 37.5 |
| Homeownership Rate | 63.3% ✓ Higher | 54.1% |
| Under 18 | 20.4% | 24.5% ✓ More |
| Over 65 | 17.2% | 17.4% ✓ More |
Frequently Asked Questions
Longmont's cost of living index is 103.4 vs Rockford's 90.1 (US average = 100).
Rockford is 13% less expensive overall.
Based on the 23 decided categories above, Longmont leads 14 of 23 categories. Longmont wins 14 and Rockford wins 9. 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 Longmont to Rockford or relocating the other way, focus on the biggest gaps: housing ($488,100 vs $114,100 median home), income ($89,720 vs $50,744), safety, and schools — all covered in the full table above.
Longmont, CO and Rockford, IL are about 845 miles apart (straight-line distance). Driving distance will be longer depending on the route.