Portage, 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.
Portage
73.7
#692 nationally
Rockford
74.8
#554 nationally
Portage leads in crime level (7.6 vs 29.6). Rockford leads in walk score (41 vs 20). Portage leads in median household income ($74,837 vs $50,744).
Metric-by-Metric Breakdown
| Metric | Portage, MI | Rockford, IL |
|---|---|---|
| WhereAtHome Score | 73.7 (#692) | 74.8 (#554) |
| Population | 49,302 | 146,120 |
| Typical Home Value (ZHVI) | $304,854 | $186,815 |
| Median Household Income | $74,837 | $50,744 |
| Average Commute | 19.7 min | 21.4 min |
| Walk Score | 20 | 41 |
| Crime Level | 7.6 | 29.6 |
| School Rating | N/A | N/A |
| Cost of Living Index | 97 | 87 |
| Political lean County 2024 presidential margin — context only, not scored | D+17.7 | D+0.6 |
C
73.7 Score
Portage, MI
Small Michigan city with local appeal
Median Home
$304,854
Population
49,302
Crime
Moderate
Walk Score
20
Midwest
View Portage, 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 →