Albany NY 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, NY
New York · Population: 100,081
- Median HH Income$59,485
- Median Home Price$324,670
- Unemployment8.3%
- Bachelor's+44.9%
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
100,081
Rockford
147,649
Rockford +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Albany
N/A
Rockford
N/A
Median Age
Albany
31.9
Albany +
Rockford
37.5
Foreign Born
Albany
15.0%
Albany +
Rockford
12.3%
White
Albany
53.0%
Rockford
55.5%
Rockford +
Black
Albany
26.6%
Albany +
Rockford
21.8%
Asian
Albany
7.9%
Albany +
Rockford
3.7%
Hispanic
Albany
10.7%
Rockford
20.6%
Rockford +
Spanish at Home
Albany
N/A
Rockford
N/A
| Metric | Albany, NY | Rockford, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 100,081 | 147,649 | Rockford + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 31.9 | 37.5 | Albany + |
| Foreign Born | 15.0% | 12.3% | Albany + |
| White | 53.0% | 55.5% | Rockford + |
| Black | 26.6% | 21.8% | Albany + |
| Asian | 7.9% | 3.7% | Albany + |
| Hispanic | 10.7% | 20.6% | Rockford + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Albany
$59,485
Albany +
Rockford
$53,328
Per Capita Income
Albany
$35,851
Albany +
Rockford
$30,409
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Albany
$77,425
Albany +
Rockford
$68,110
Unemployment Rate
Albany
8.3%
Albany +
Rockford
8.6%
Poverty Rate
Albany
23.4%
Rockford
21.9%
Rockford +
Bachelor's Degree+
Albany
44.9%
Albany +
Rockford
23.2%
| Metric | Albany, NY | Rockford, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $59,485 | $53,328 | Albany + |
| Per Capita Income | $35,851 | $30,409 | Albany + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,425 | $68,110 | Albany + |
| Unemployment Rate | 8.3% | 8.6% | Albany + |
| Poverty Rate | 23.4% | 21.9% | Rockford + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 44.9% | 23.2% | Albany + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Albany
$324,670
Rockford
$180,220
Rockford +
Homeownership Rate
Albany
37.9%
Rockford
53.8%
Rockford +
| Metric | Albany, NY | Rockford, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $324,670 | $180,220 | Rockford + |
| Homeownership Rate | 37.9% | 53.8% | Rockford + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Albany
434
Rockford
344
Rockford +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Albany
1736
Albany +
Rockford
1842
| Metric | Albany, NY | Rockford, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 434 | 344 | Rockford + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1736 | 1842 | Albany + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Albany
32.9%
Albany +
Rockford
44.7%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Albany
9.9%
Albany +
Rockford
15.4%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Albany
17.6%
Albany +
Rockford
19.0%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Albany
7.7%
Albany +
Rockford
14.0%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Albany
18.0%
Rockford
15.5%
Rockford +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Albany
12.3%
Albany +
Rockford
18.1%
| Metric | Albany, NY | Rockford, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 32.9% | 44.7% | Albany + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 9.9% | 15.4% | Albany + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.6% | 19.0% | Albany + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 7.7% | 14.0% | Albany + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 18.0% | 15.5% | Rockford + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.3% | 18.1% | Albany + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Albany
48.3°F
Albany +
Rockford
49.2°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Albany
39.4 in
Rockford
36.2 in
Rockford +
| Metric | Albany, NY | Rockford, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 48.3°F | 49.2°F | Albany + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 39.4 in | 36.2 in | Rockford + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Albany
8.1 µg/m³
Albany +
Rockford
9.4 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Albany
75.0%
Albany +
Rockford
55.0%
| Metric | Albany, NY | Rockford, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.1 µg/m³ | 9.4 µg/m³ | Albany + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Albany + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Albany
21.1 min
Albany +
Rockford
22.7 min
| Metric | Albany, NY | Rockford, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 21.1 min | 22.7 min | Albany + |
Which City is Right for You?
Albany leads in median household income at $59,485, while rockford offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $180,220. On public safety, Rockford is safer with a violent crime rate of 344 per 100,000 residents, compared to 434 in Albany. Albany has a lower unemployment rate at 8.3%, and Albany has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.1 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Albany scores better with a lower obesity rate of 32.9%.
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