Huntsville AL 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)
Huntsville, AL
Alabama · Population: 218,814
- Median HH Income$70,778
- Median Home Price$288,707
- Unemployment4.3%
- Bachelor's+46.2%
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
Huntsville
218,814
Huntsville +
Rockford
147,649
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Huntsville
N/A
Rockford
N/A
Median Age
Huntsville
36.4
Huntsville +
Rockford
37.5
Foreign Born
Huntsville
6.6%
Rockford
12.3%
Rockford +
White
Huntsville
58.4%
Huntsville +
Rockford
55.5%
Black
Huntsville
29.7%
Huntsville +
Rockford
21.8%
Asian
Huntsville
2.0%
Rockford
3.7%
Rockford +
Hispanic
Huntsville
8.1%
Rockford
20.6%
Rockford +
Spanish at Home
Huntsville
N/A
Rockford
N/A
| Metric | Huntsville, AL | Rockford, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 218,814 | 147,649 | Huntsville + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.4 | 37.5 | Huntsville + |
| Foreign Born | 6.6% | 12.3% | Rockford + |
| White | 58.4% | 55.5% | Huntsville + |
| Black | 29.7% | 21.8% | Huntsville + |
| Asian | 2.0% | 3.7% | Rockford + |
| Hispanic | 8.1% | 20.6% | Rockford + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Huntsville
$70,778
Huntsville +
Rockford
$53,328
Per Capita Income
Huntsville
$44,733
Huntsville +
Rockford
$30,409
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Huntsville
$51,690
Rockford
$68,110
Rockford +
Unemployment Rate
Huntsville
4.3%
Huntsville +
Rockford
8.6%
Poverty Rate
Huntsville
13.8%
Huntsville +
Rockford
21.9%
Bachelor's Degree+
Huntsville
46.2%
Huntsville +
Rockford
23.2%
| Metric | Huntsville, AL | Rockford, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $70,778 | $53,328 | Huntsville + |
| Per Capita Income | $44,733 | $30,409 | Huntsville + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $51,690 | $68,110 | Rockford + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.3% | 8.6% | Huntsville + |
| Poverty Rate | 13.8% | 21.9% | Huntsville + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 46.2% | 23.2% | Huntsville + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Huntsville
$288,707
Rockford
$180,220
Rockford +
Homeownership Rate
Huntsville
58.1%
Huntsville +
Rockford
53.8%
| Metric | Huntsville, AL | Rockford, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $288,707 | $180,220 | Rockford + |
| Homeownership Rate | 58.1% | 53.8% | Huntsville + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Huntsville
400
Rockford
344
Rockford +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Huntsville
1734
Huntsville +
Rockford
1842
| Metric | Huntsville, AL | Rockford, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 400 | 344 | Rockford + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1734 | 1842 | Huntsville + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Huntsville
40.7%
Huntsville +
Rockford
44.7%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Huntsville
12.7%
Huntsville +
Rockford
15.4%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Huntsville
16.4%
Huntsville +
Rockford
19.0%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Huntsville
9.6%
Huntsville +
Rockford
14.0%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Huntsville
14.2%
Huntsville +
Rockford
15.5%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Huntsville
12.6%
Huntsville +
Rockford
18.1%
| Metric | Huntsville, AL | Rockford, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 40.7% | 44.7% | Huntsville + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.7% | 15.4% | Huntsville + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.4% | 19.0% | Huntsville + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.6% | 14.0% | Huntsville + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.2% | 15.5% | Huntsville + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.6% | 18.1% | Huntsville + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Huntsville
62.1°F
Rockford
49.2°F
Rockford +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Huntsville
54.3 in
Rockford
36.2 in
Rockford +
| Metric | Huntsville, AL | Rockford, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 62.1°F | 49.2°F | Rockford + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 54.3 in | 36.2 in | Rockford + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Huntsville
8.8 µg/m³
Huntsville +
Rockford
9.4 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Huntsville
75.0%
Huntsville +
Rockford
55.0%
| Metric | Huntsville, AL | Rockford, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.8 µg/m³ | 9.4 µg/m³ | Huntsville + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Huntsville + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Huntsville
21.0 min
Huntsville +
Rockford
22.7 min
| Metric | Huntsville, AL | Rockford, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 21.0 min | 22.7 min | Huntsville + |
Which City is Right for You?
Huntsville leads in median household income at $70,778, 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 400 in Huntsville. Huntsville has a lower unemployment rate at 4.3%, and Huntsville has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.8 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Huntsville scores better with a lower obesity rate of 40.7%.
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