Rockford vs Mesquite: Cost of Living (2026)
A side-by-side comparison of Rockford, IL and Mesquite, TX, using US Census Bureau data.
| Metric | Rockford, IL | Mesquite, TX |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 148,173 | 149,439 |
| Median household income | $50,744 | $69,649 |
| Median home value | $114,100 | $208,800 |
| Median rent (/mo) | $906 | $1,323 |
Source: US Census Bureau ACS 5-Year (2022). Highlighted cell = more affordable / higher income.
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compare-top (set NEXT_PUBLIC_ADSENSE_CLIENT to serve real ads)Comparing Rockford, IL and Mesquite, TX comes down to what you value most. Rockford has the lower median home value, and Rockford has the lower median rent.
Mesquite has the higher median household income, which affects how far a paycheck stretches against local housing costs. The table below breaks down the key numbers side by side, all sourced from the US Census Bureau.
Frequently asked questions
- Is it cheaper to live in Rockford or Mesquite?
- By median home value, Rockford is the cheaper of the two ($114,100 vs $208,800). Rent and income differ too — see the full comparison above.
- Which has higher salaries, Rockford or Mesquite?
- Median household income is $50,744 in Rockford versus $69,649 in Mesquite, per the US Census Bureau.