Columbus 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)
Columbus, GA
Georgia · Population: 204,383
- Median HH Income$56,622
- Median Home Price$175,194
- Unemployment6.5%
- Bachelor's+29.7%
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
Columbus
204,383
Columbus +
Rockford
147,649
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Columbus
N/A
Rockford
N/A
Median Age
Columbus
35.1
Columbus +
Rockford
37.5
Foreign Born
Columbus
5.3%
Rockford
12.3%
Rockford +
White
Columbus
39.3%
Rockford
55.5%
Rockford +
Black
Columbus
46.7%
Columbus +
Rockford
21.8%
Asian
Columbus
2.6%
Rockford
3.7%
Rockford +
Hispanic
Columbus
8.3%
Rockford
20.6%
Rockford +
Spanish at Home
Columbus
N/A
Rockford
N/A
| Metric | Columbus, GA | Rockford, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 204,383 | 147,649 | Columbus + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.1 | 37.5 | Columbus + |
| Foreign Born | 5.3% | 12.3% | Rockford + |
| White | 39.3% | 55.5% | Rockford + |
| Black | 46.7% | 21.8% | Columbus + |
| Asian | 2.6% | 3.7% | Rockford + |
| Hispanic | 8.3% | 20.6% | Rockford + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Columbus
$56,622
Columbus +
Rockford
$53,328
Per Capita Income
Columbus
$32,811
Columbus +
Rockford
$30,409
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Columbus
$57,405
Rockford
$68,110
Rockford +
Unemployment Rate
Columbus
6.5%
Columbus +
Rockford
8.6%
Poverty Rate
Columbus
18.8%
Columbus +
Rockford
21.9%
Bachelor's Degree+
Columbus
29.7%
Columbus +
Rockford
23.2%
| Metric | Columbus, GA | Rockford, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $56,622 | $53,328 | Columbus + |
| Per Capita Income | $32,811 | $30,409 | Columbus + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $57,405 | $68,110 | Rockford + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.5% | 8.6% | Columbus + |
| Poverty Rate | 18.8% | 21.9% | Columbus + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 29.7% | 23.2% | Columbus + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Columbus
$175,194
Columbus +
Rockford
$180,220
Homeownership Rate
Columbus
50.2%
Rockford
53.8%
Rockford +
| Metric | Columbus, GA | Rockford, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $175,194 | $180,220 | Columbus + |
| Homeownership Rate | 50.2% | 53.8% | Rockford + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Columbus
392
Rockford
344
Rockford +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Columbus
1752
Columbus +
Rockford
1842
| Metric | Columbus, GA | Rockford, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 392 | 344 | Rockford + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1752 | 1842 | Columbus + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Columbus
40.3%
Columbus +
Rockford
44.7%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Columbus
15.5%
Rockford
15.4%
Rockford +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Columbus
19.1%
Rockford
19.0%
Rockford +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Columbus
14.8%
Rockford
14.0%
Rockford +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Columbus
13.9%
Columbus +
Rockford
15.5%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Columbus
16.1%
Columbus +
Rockford
18.1%
| Metric | Columbus, GA | Rockford, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 40.3% | 44.7% | Columbus + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 15.5% | 15.4% | Rockford + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.1% | 19.0% | Rockford + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 14.8% | 14.0% | Rockford + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 13.9% | 15.5% | Columbus + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 16.1% | 18.1% | Columbus + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Columbus
64.4°F
Rockford
49.2°F
Rockford +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Columbus
49.6 in
Rockford
36.2 in
Rockford +
| Metric | Columbus, GA | Rockford, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 64.4°F | 49.2°F | Rockford + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 49.6 in | 36.2 in | Rockford + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Columbus
9.8 µg/m³
Rockford
9.4 µg/m³
Rockford +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Columbus
55.0%
Rockford
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Columbus, 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
Columbus
21.6 min
Columbus +
Rockford
22.7 min
| Metric | Columbus, GA | Rockford, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 21.6 min | 22.7 min | Columbus + |
Which City is Right for You?
Columbus leads in median household income at $56,622, while columbus offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $175,194. On public safety, Rockford is safer with a violent crime rate of 344 per 100,000 residents, compared to 392 in Columbus. Columbus has a lower unemployment rate at 6.5%, and Rockford has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 9.4 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Columbus scores better with a lower obesity rate of 40.3%.
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