Augusta 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)
Augusta, GA
Georgia · Population: 201,504
- Median HH Income$53,134
- Median Home Price$177,114
- Unemployment7.9%
- Bachelor's+24.2%
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
Augusta
201,504
Augusta +
Rockford
147,649
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Augusta
N/A
Rockford
N/A
Median Age
Augusta
34.9
Augusta +
Rockford
37.5
Foreign Born
Augusta
3.5%
Rockford
12.3%
Rockford +
White
Augusta
32.8%
Rockford
55.5%
Rockford +
Black
Augusta
56.5%
Augusta +
Rockford
21.8%
Asian
Augusta
1.8%
Rockford
3.7%
Rockford +
Hispanic
Augusta
5.7%
Rockford
20.6%
Rockford +
Spanish at Home
Augusta
N/A
Rockford
N/A
| Metric | Augusta, GA | Rockford, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 201,504 | 147,649 | Augusta + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.9 | 37.5 | Augusta + |
| Foreign Born | 3.5% | 12.3% | Rockford + |
| White | 32.8% | 55.5% | Rockford + |
| Black | 56.5% | 21.8% | Augusta + |
| Asian | 1.8% | 3.7% | Rockford + |
| Hispanic | 5.7% | 20.6% | Rockford + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Augusta
$53,134
Rockford
$53,328
Rockford +
Per Capita Income
Augusta
$30,230
Rockford
$30,409
Rockford +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Augusta
$57,405
Rockford
$68,110
Rockford +
Unemployment Rate
Augusta
7.9%
Augusta +
Rockford
8.6%
Poverty Rate
Augusta
21.1%
Augusta +
Rockford
21.9%
Bachelor's Degree+
Augusta
24.2%
Augusta +
Rockford
23.2%
| Metric | Augusta, GA | Rockford, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $53,134 | $53,328 | Rockford + |
| Per Capita Income | $30,230 | $30,409 | Rockford + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $57,405 | $68,110 | Rockford + |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.9% | 8.6% | Augusta + |
| Poverty Rate | 21.1% | 21.9% | Augusta + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 24.2% | 23.2% | Augusta + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Augusta
$177,114
Augusta +
Rockford
$180,220
Homeownership Rate
Augusta
50.9%
Rockford
53.8%
Rockford +
| Metric | Augusta, GA | Rockford, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $177,114 | $180,220 | Augusta + |
| Homeownership Rate | 50.9% | 53.8% | Rockford + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Augusta
392
Rockford
344
Rockford +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Augusta
1752
Augusta +
Rockford
1842
| Metric | Augusta, GA | Rockford, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 392 | 344 | Rockford + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1752 | 1842 | Augusta + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Augusta
N/A
Rockford
44.7%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Augusta
N/A
Rockford
15.4%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Augusta
N/A
Rockford
19.0%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Augusta
N/A
Rockford
14.0%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Augusta
N/A
Rockford
15.5%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Augusta
N/A
Rockford
18.1%
| Metric | Augusta, GA | Rockford, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | N/A | 44.7% | - |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | N/A | 15.4% | - |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | N/A | 19.0% | - |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | N/A | 14.0% | - |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | N/A | 15.5% | - |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | N/A | 18.1% | - |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Augusta
63.9°F
Rockford
49.2°F
Rockford +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Augusta
43.6 in
Rockford
36.2 in
Rockford +
| Metric | Augusta, GA | Rockford, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 63.9°F | 49.2°F | Rockford + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 43.6 in | 36.2 in | Rockford + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Augusta
9.8 µg/m³
Rockford
9.4 µg/m³
Rockford +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Augusta
55.0%
Rockford
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Augusta, 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
Augusta
22.1 min
Augusta +
Rockford
22.7 min
| Metric | Augusta, GA | Rockford, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 22.1 min | 22.7 min | Augusta + |
Which City is Right for You?
Rockford leads in median household income at $53,328, while augusta offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $177,114. On public safety, Rockford is safer with a violent crime rate of 344 per 100,000 residents, compared to 392 in Augusta. Augusta has a lower unemployment rate at 7.9%, and Rockford has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 9.4 µg/m³).
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