Head-to-Head · City Comparison
Orlando, FL
VS
Rockford, IL
🏆 Orlando leads 12 of 23 categories
Orlando
Florida
12
wins
Cost of Living Index
101.1⚠ High
Median Household Income
$66,292 ✓ Higher
Violent Crime Index
220⚠ High ✓ Safer
Population
307,738 ✓ 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.
Orlando, FL
Pros
23% less violent crime than Rockford
Stronger job market — unemployment is 3.8 pts lower (5.2%)
Households earn $15,548 more per year on average
Milder winters — January highs near 72°F vs 29°F
More college-educated — 41.7% hold a bachelor's or higher
Cons
Pricier housing — median home is $332,700
Higher rents — median is $1,509/mo
Violent crime (835.8/100k) is above the U.S. average of 380
Property crime (4028.5/100k) runs high vs the U.S. average
Rockford, IL
Pros
Homes cost $219k less ($114,100 vs $332,700)
Rent averages $603/mo less ($906 vs $1,509)
Commutes run 6 min shorter each way
11% cheaper overall cost of living than Orlando
Living costs sit below the national average (index 90.1)
Cooler summers — July highs near 84°F vs 92°F
Cons
Violent crime (1080.0/100k) is above the U.S. average of 380
Median income trails Orlando by $15,548/yr
Property crime (2517.2/100k) runs high vs the U.S. average
Higher unemployment (9.0% vs 5.2%)
Key Differences at a Glance
Orlando
Median Income
$15,548
$66,292 vs $50,744/yr
Orlando
Violent Crime
23% lower
835.8 vs 1080.0 per 100k
Orlando
Unemployment
3.8 pp lower
5.2% vs 9.0% unemployment
Orlando
Summer Heat
8.1°F warmer
July avg high 92.0°F vs 83.9°F
Rockford
Cost of Living
11% cheaper
COL index 90.1 vs 101.1 (100 = US avg)
Rockford
Median Home Value
$219k less
$114,100 vs $332,700
Full Data Comparison
| Metric | Orlando, FL | Rockford, IL |
|---|---|---|
| 💰 Cost of Living | ||
| Cost of Living Index National avg = 100 · lower = cheaper | 101.1⚠ High | 90.1 ✓ Cheaper |
| Median Home Value | $332,700⚠ High | $114,100 ✓ Lower |
| Median Monthly Rent | $1,509⚠ High | $906 ✓ Lower |
| 📈 Income & Economy | ||
| Median Household Income | $66,292 ✓ Higher | $50,744 |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.2%⚠ High ✓ Lower | 9.0%⚠ High |
| Avg Commute Minutes each way | 26.9 min | 21.4 min ✓ Shorter |
| Work From Home % | 12.1% ✓ Higher | 7.1% |
| 🔒 Safety | ||
| Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer · 60% violent / 40% property | 209⚠ High ✓ Safer | 218⚠ High |
| Violent Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 220⚠ High ✓ Safer | 284⚠ High |
| Property Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 192⚠ High | 120⚠ High ✓ Safer |
| 🎓 Education | ||
| School Quality 100 = national avg · grad rate, staffing & attainment | B+ (104) ✓ Better | C (79) |
| Student-Teacher Ratio Lower = smaller classes | 18.0:1 | 17.4:1 ✓ Smaller |
| Bachelor's Degree or Higher | 41.7% ✓ Higher | 23.1% |
| High School or Higher | 91.4% ✓ Higher | 85.4% |
| School District Name only — no quality rating available | ORANGE | Rockford SD 205 |
| 🌤 Weather | ||
| Avg High — January | 71.8°F ✓ Warmer | 29.1°F |
| Avg High — July | 92.0°F ✓ Warmer | 83.9°F |
| Annual Precipitation | 51.4" | 38.0" ✓ Drier |
| Annual Snowfall | 0.0" ✓ Less | 37.1" |
| 👥 Demographics | ||
| Population | 307,738 ✓ Larger | 148,173 |
| Median Age | 34.7 | 37.5 ✓ Older |
| Homeownership Rate | 39.2% | 54.1% ✓ Higher |
| Under 18 | 20.8% | 24.5% ✓ More |
| Over 65 | 10.8% | 17.4% ✓ More |
Frequently Asked Questions
Orlando's cost of living index is 101.1 vs Rockford's 90.1 (US average = 100).
Rockford is 11% less expensive overall.
Based on the 23 decided categories above, Orlando leads 12 of 23 categories. Orlando 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 Orlando to Rockford or relocating the other way, focus on the biggest gaps: housing ($332,700 vs $114,100 median home), income ($66,292 vs $50,744), safety, and schools — all covered in the full table above.
Orlando, FL and Rockford, IL are about 1,052 miles apart (straight-line distance). Driving distance will be longer depending on the route.