East Lansing, MI vs Rockford, IL
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.
East Lansing
72.8
#823 nationally
Rockford
74.8
#554 nationally
East Lansing leads in crime level (6.0 vs 29.6). East Lansing leads in average commute (16.1 min vs 21.4 min). East Lansing leads in walk score (54 vs 41).
Metric-by-Metric Breakdown
| Metric | East Lansing, MI | Rockford, IL |
|---|---|---|
| WhereAtHome Score | 72.8 (#823) | 74.8 (#554) |
| Population | 48,528 | 146,120 |
| Typical Home Value (ZHVI) | $328,740 | $186,815 |
| Median Household Income | $44,094 | $50,744 |
| Average Commute | 16.1 min | 21.4 min |
| Walk Score | 54 | 41 |
| Crime Level | 6.0 | 29.6 |
| School Rating | N/A | N/A |
| Cost of Living Index | 100 | 87 |
| Political lean County 2024 presidential margin — context only, not scored | D+29.7 | D+0.6 |
C-
72.8 Score
East Lansing, MI
Small Michigan city with local appeal
Median Home
$328,740
Population
48,528
Crime
Moderate
Walk Score
54
Midwest
View East Lansing, MI →
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 →
Try a different matchup
Swap East Lansing for: