Rockford, IL vs Waco, TX
Side-by-side comparison of housing, income, commute, safety, and quality of life.
Score Snapshot
No universal winner
Scores summarize the published model. Use the objective metric differences below and your own priorities to choose.
Rockford
74.8
#554 nationally
Waco
77.1
#281 nationally
Waco leads in crime level (11.7 vs 29.6). Waco leads in average commute (17.5 min vs 21.4 min). Rockford leads in walk score (41 vs 35).
Metric-by-Metric Breakdown
| Metric | Rockford, IL | Waco, TX |
|---|---|---|
| WhereAtHome Score | 74.8 (#554) | 77.1 (#281) |
| Population | 146,120 | 144,816 |
| Typical Home Value (ZHVI) | $186,815 | $197,359 |
| Median Household Income | $50,744 | $47,421 |
| Average Commute | 21.4 min | 17.5 min |
| Walk Score | 41 | 35 |
| Crime Level | 29.6 | 11.7 |
| School Rating | N/A | N/A |
| Cost of Living Index | 87 | 93 |
| Political lean County 2024 presidential margin — context only, not scored | D+0.6 | R+30.9 |
C
74.8 Score
Rockford, IL
Mid-size Illinois city with community character
Median Home
$186,815
Population
146,120
Crime
Very High
Walk Score
41
Midwest
View Rockford, IL →
C+
77.1 Score
Waco, TX
Mid-size Texas city with community character
Median Home
$197,359
Population
144,816
Crime
Moderate-High
Walk Score
35
Southwest
View Waco, TX →