Macon 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)
Macon, GA
Georgia · Population: 61,773
- Median HH Income$70,086
- Median Home Price$171,916
- Unemployment3.9%
- Bachelor's+46.8%
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
Macon
61,773
Rockford
147,649
Rockford +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Macon
N/A
Rockford
N/A
Median Age
Macon
35.2
Macon +
Rockford
37.5
Foreign Born
Macon
18.3%
Macon +
Rockford
12.3%
White
Macon
43.7%
Rockford
55.5%
Rockford +
Black
Macon
30.4%
Macon +
Rockford
21.8%
Asian
Macon
2.0%
Rockford
3.7%
Rockford +
Hispanic
Macon
19.8%
Rockford
20.6%
Rockford +
Spanish at Home
Macon
N/A
Rockford
N/A
| Metric | Macon, GA | Rockford, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 61,773 | 147,649 | Rockford + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.2 | 37.5 | Macon + |
| Foreign Born | 18.3% | 12.3% | Macon + |
| White | 43.7% | 55.5% | Rockford + |
| Black | 30.4% | 21.8% | Macon + |
| Asian | 2.0% | 3.7% | Rockford + |
| Hispanic | 19.8% | 20.6% | Rockford + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Macon
$70,086
Macon +
Rockford
$53,328
Per Capita Income
Macon
$43,074
Macon +
Rockford
$30,409
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Macon
$57,405
Rockford
$68,110
Rockford +
Unemployment Rate
Macon
3.9%
Macon +
Rockford
8.6%
Poverty Rate
Macon
12.7%
Macon +
Rockford
21.9%
Bachelor's Degree+
Macon
46.8%
Macon +
Rockford
23.2%
| Metric | Macon, GA | Rockford, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $70,086 | $53,328 | Macon + |
| Per Capita Income | $43,074 | $30,409 | Macon + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $57,405 | $68,110 | Rockford + |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.9% | 8.6% | Macon + |
| Poverty Rate | 12.7% | 21.9% | Macon + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 46.8% | 23.2% | Macon + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Macon
$171,916
Macon +
Rockford
$180,220
Homeownership Rate
Macon
47.2%
Rockford
53.8%
Rockford +
| Metric | Macon, GA | Rockford, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $171,916 | $180,220 | Macon + |
| Homeownership Rate | 47.2% | 53.8% | Rockford + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Macon
392
Rockford
344
Rockford +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Macon
1752
Macon +
Rockford
1842
| Metric | Macon, GA | Rockford, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 392 | 344 | Rockford + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1752 | 1842 | Macon + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Macon
N/A
Rockford
44.7%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Macon
N/A
Rockford
15.4%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Macon
N/A
Rockford
19.0%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Macon
N/A
Rockford
14.0%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Macon
N/A
Rockford
15.5%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Macon
N/A
Rockford
18.1%
| Metric | Macon, 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
Macon
64.6°F
Rockford
49.2°F
Rockford +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Macon
45.7 in
Rockford
36.2 in
Rockford +
| Metric | Macon, GA | Rockford, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 64.6°F | 49.2°F | Rockford + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 45.7 in | 36.2 in | Rockford + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Macon
9.8 µg/m³
Rockford
9.4 µg/m³
Rockford +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Macon
55.0%
Rockford
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Macon, 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
Macon
30.2 min
Rockford
22.7 min
Rockford +
| Metric | Macon, GA | Rockford, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 30.2 min | 22.7 min | Rockford + |
Which City is Right for You?
Macon leads in median household income at $70,086, while macon offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $171,916. On public safety, Rockford is safer with a violent crime rate of 344 per 100,000 residents, compared to 392 in Macon. Macon has a lower unemployment rate at 3.9%, and Rockford has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 9.4 µg/m³).
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