Atlanta 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)
Atlanta, GA
Georgia · Population: 499,287
- Median HH Income$81,938
- Median Home Price$387,752
- Unemployment5.9%
- Bachelor's+58.4%
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
Atlanta
499,287
Atlanta +
Rockford
147,649
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Atlanta
N/A
Rockford
N/A
Median Age
Atlanta
34.0
Atlanta +
Rockford
37.5
Foreign Born
Atlanta
8.6%
Rockford
12.3%
Rockford +
White
Atlanta
39.9%
Rockford
55.5%
Rockford +
Black
Atlanta
46.9%
Atlanta +
Rockford
21.8%
Asian
Atlanta
5.0%
Atlanta +
Rockford
3.7%
Hispanic
Atlanta
6.3%
Rockford
20.6%
Rockford +
Spanish at Home
Atlanta
N/A
Rockford
N/A
| Metric | Atlanta, GA | Rockford, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 499,287 | 147,649 | Atlanta + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.0 | 37.5 | Atlanta + |
| Foreign Born | 8.6% | 12.3% | Rockford + |
| White | 39.9% | 55.5% | Rockford + |
| Black | 46.9% | 21.8% | Atlanta + |
| Asian | 5.0% | 3.7% | Atlanta + |
| Hispanic | 6.3% | 20.6% | Rockford + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Atlanta
$81,938
Atlanta +
Rockford
$53,328
Per Capita Income
Atlanta
$64,063
Atlanta +
Rockford
$30,409
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Atlanta
$57,405
Rockford
$68,110
Rockford +
Unemployment Rate
Atlanta
5.9%
Atlanta +
Rockford
8.6%
Poverty Rate
Atlanta
17.9%
Atlanta +
Rockford
21.9%
Bachelor's Degree+
Atlanta
58.4%
Atlanta +
Rockford
23.2%
| Metric | Atlanta, GA | Rockford, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $81,938 | $53,328 | Atlanta + |
| Per Capita Income | $64,063 | $30,409 | Atlanta + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $57,405 | $68,110 | Rockford + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.9% | 8.6% | Atlanta + |
| Poverty Rate | 17.9% | 21.9% | Atlanta + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 58.4% | 23.2% | Atlanta + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Atlanta
$387,752
Rockford
$180,220
Rockford +
Homeownership Rate
Atlanta
46.3%
Rockford
53.8%
Rockford +
| Metric | Atlanta, GA | Rockford, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $387,752 | $180,220 | Rockford + |
| Homeownership Rate | 46.3% | 53.8% | Rockford + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Atlanta
392
Rockford
344
Rockford +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Atlanta
1752
Atlanta +
Rockford
1842
| Metric | Atlanta, GA | Rockford, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 392 | 344 | Rockford + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1752 | 1842 | Atlanta + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Atlanta
29.3%
Atlanta +
Rockford
44.7%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Atlanta
10.6%
Atlanta +
Rockford
15.4%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Atlanta
17.2%
Atlanta +
Rockford
19.0%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Atlanta
11.3%
Atlanta +
Rockford
14.0%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Atlanta
17.2%
Rockford
15.5%
Rockford +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Atlanta
11.1%
Atlanta +
Rockford
18.1%
| Metric | Atlanta, GA | Rockford, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 29.3% | 44.7% | Atlanta + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 10.6% | 15.4% | Atlanta + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.2% | 19.0% | Atlanta + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.3% | 14.0% | Atlanta + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 17.2% | 15.5% | Rockford + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 11.1% | 18.1% | Atlanta + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Atlanta
N/A
Rockford
49.2°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Atlanta
51.5 in
Rockford
36.2 in
Rockford +
| Metric | Atlanta, GA | Rockford, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 49.2°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 51.5 in | 36.2 in | Rockford + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Atlanta
9.8 µg/m³
Rockford
9.4 µg/m³
Rockford +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Atlanta
55.0%
Rockford
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Atlanta, 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
Atlanta
28.7 min
Rockford
22.7 min
Rockford +
| Metric | Atlanta, GA | Rockford, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 28.7 min | 22.7 min | Rockford + |
Which City is Right for You?
Atlanta leads in median household income at $81,938, 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 392 in Atlanta. Atlanta has a lower unemployment rate at 5.9%, and Rockford has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 9.4 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Atlanta scores better with a lower obesity rate of 29.3%.
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