Albany GA vs Rockford IL — Cost of Living, Crime & Income Comparison 2026
Updated May 2026 · Source: US Census ACS 5-Year (2023), FBI CDE (2023), BLS OEWS (2024)
Albany, GA
Georgia · Population: 67,939
- Median HH Income$45,201
- Median Home Price$131,279
- Unemployment11.5%
- Bachelor's+21.5%
Rockford, IL
Illinois · Population: 147,649
- Median HH Income$53,328
- Median Home Price$180,220
- Unemployment8.6%
- Bachelor's+23.2%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Albany
67,939
Rockford
147,649
Rockford +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Albany
N/A
Rockford
N/A
Median Age
Albany
35.1
Albany +
Rockford
37.5
Foreign Born
Albany
1.7%
Rockford
12.3%
Rockford +
White
Albany
18.9%
Rockford
55.5%
Rockford +
Black
Albany
76.3%
Albany +
Rockford
21.8%
Asian
Albany
0.7%
Rockford
3.7%
Rockford +
Hispanic
Albany
2.5%
Rockford
20.6%
Rockford +
Spanish at Home
Albany
N/A
Rockford
N/A
| Metric | Albany, GA | Rockford, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 67,939 | 147,649 | Rockford + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.1 | 37.5 | Albany + |
| Foreign Born | 1.7% | 12.3% | Rockford + |
| White | 18.9% | 55.5% | Rockford + |
| Black | 76.3% | 21.8% | Albany + |
| Asian | 0.7% | 3.7% | Rockford + |
| Hispanic | 2.5% | 20.6% | Rockford + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Albany
$45,201
Rockford
$53,328
Rockford +
Per Capita Income
Albany
$24,527
Rockford
$30,409
Rockford +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Albany
$57,405
Rockford
$68,110
Rockford +
Unemployment Rate
Albany
11.5%
Rockford
8.6%
Rockford +
Poverty Rate
Albany
29.2%
Rockford
21.9%
Rockford +
Bachelor's Degree+
Albany
21.5%
Rockford
23.2%
Rockford +
| Metric | Albany, GA | Rockford, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $45,201 | $53,328 | Rockford + |
| Per Capita Income | $24,527 | $30,409 | Rockford + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $57,405 | $68,110 | Rockford + |
| Unemployment Rate | 11.5% | 8.6% | Rockford + |
| Poverty Rate | 29.2% | 21.9% | Rockford + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 21.5% | 23.2% | Rockford + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Albany
$131,279
Albany +
Rockford
$180,220
Homeownership Rate
Albany
39.3%
Rockford
53.8%
Rockford +
| Metric | Albany, GA | Rockford, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $131,279 | $180,220 | Albany + |
| Homeownership Rate | 39.3% | 53.8% | Rockford + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Albany
392
Rockford
344
Rockford +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Albany
1752
Albany +
Rockford
1842
| Metric | Albany, GA | Rockford, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 392 | 344 | Rockford + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1752 | 1842 | Albany + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Albany
43.0%
Albany +
Rockford
44.7%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Albany
19.2%
Rockford
15.4%
Rockford +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Albany
20.4%
Rockford
19.0%
Rockford +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Albany
16.8%
Rockford
14.0%
Rockford +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Albany
11.1%
Albany +
Rockford
15.5%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Albany
19.3%
Rockford
18.1%
Rockford +
| Metric | Albany, GA | Rockford, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 43.0% | 44.7% | Albany + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 19.2% | 15.4% | Rockford + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 20.4% | 19.0% | Rockford + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 16.8% | 14.0% | Rockford + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 11.1% | 15.5% | Albany + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 19.3% | 18.1% | Rockford + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Albany
66.2°F
Rockford
49.2°F
Rockford +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Albany
51.4 in
Rockford
36.2 in
Rockford +
| Metric | Albany, GA | Rockford, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 66.2°F | 49.2°F | Rockford + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 51.4 in | 36.2 in | Rockford + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Albany
9.8 µg/m³
Rockford
9.4 µg/m³
Rockford +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Albany
55.0%
Rockford
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Albany, GA | Rockford, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.8 µg/m³ | 9.4 µg/m³ | Rockford + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 55.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Albany
22.0 min
Albany +
Rockford
22.7 min
| Metric | Albany, GA | Rockford, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 22.0 min | 22.7 min | Albany + |
Which City is Right for You?
Rockford leads in median household income at $53,328, while albany offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $131,279. On public safety, Rockford is safer with a violent crime rate of 344 per 100,000 residents, compared to 392 in Albany. Rockford has a lower unemployment rate at 8.6%, and Rockford has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 9.4 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Albany scores better with a lower obesity rate of 43.0%.
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