Mobile 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)
Mobile, AL
Alabama · Population: 185,097
- Median HH Income$51,090
- Median Home Price$197,044
- Unemployment5.9%
- Bachelor's+31.5%
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
Mobile
185,097
Mobile +
Rockford
147,649
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Mobile
N/A
Rockford
N/A
Median Age
Mobile
37.7
Rockford
37.5
Rockford +
Foreign Born
Mobile
3.8%
Rockford
12.3%
Rockford +
White
Mobile
39.9%
Rockford
55.5%
Rockford +
Black
Mobile
52.9%
Mobile +
Rockford
21.8%
Asian
Mobile
2.1%
Rockford
3.7%
Rockford +
Hispanic
Mobile
3.1%
Rockford
20.6%
Rockford +
Spanish at Home
Mobile
N/A
Rockford
N/A
| Metric | Mobile, AL | Rockford, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 185,097 | 147,649 | Mobile + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 37.7 | 37.5 | Rockford + |
| Foreign Born | 3.8% | 12.3% | Rockford + |
| White | 39.9% | 55.5% | Rockford + |
| Black | 52.9% | 21.8% | Mobile + |
| Asian | 2.1% | 3.7% | Rockford + |
| Hispanic | 3.1% | 20.6% | Rockford + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Mobile
$51,090
Rockford
$53,328
Rockford +
Per Capita Income
Mobile
$32,893
Mobile +
Rockford
$30,409
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Mobile
$51,690
Rockford
$68,110
Rockford +
Unemployment Rate
Mobile
5.9%
Mobile +
Rockford
8.6%
Poverty Rate
Mobile
18.9%
Mobile +
Rockford
21.9%
Bachelor's Degree+
Mobile
31.5%
Mobile +
Rockford
23.2%
| Metric | Mobile, AL | Rockford, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $51,090 | $53,328 | Rockford + |
| Per Capita Income | $32,893 | $30,409 | Mobile + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $51,690 | $68,110 | Rockford + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.9% | 8.6% | Mobile + |
| Poverty Rate | 18.9% | 21.9% | Mobile + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 31.5% | 23.2% | Mobile + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Mobile
$197,044
Rockford
$180,220
Rockford +
Homeownership Rate
Mobile
51.4%
Rockford
53.8%
Rockford +
| Metric | Mobile, AL | Rockford, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $197,044 | $180,220 | Rockford + |
| Homeownership Rate | 51.4% | 53.8% | Rockford + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Mobile
400
Rockford
344
Rockford +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Mobile
1734
Mobile +
Rockford
1842
| Metric | Mobile, AL | Rockford, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 400 | 344 | Rockford + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1734 | 1842 | Mobile + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Mobile
40.0%
Mobile +
Rockford
44.7%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Mobile
17.0%
Rockford
15.4%
Rockford +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Mobile
17.3%
Mobile +
Rockford
19.0%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Mobile
10.2%
Mobile +
Rockford
14.0%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Mobile
13.1%
Mobile +
Rockford
15.5%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Mobile
14.9%
Mobile +
Rockford
18.1%
| Metric | Mobile, AL | Rockford, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 40.0% | 44.7% | Mobile + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 17.0% | 15.4% | Rockford + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.3% | 19.0% | Mobile + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 10.2% | 14.0% | Mobile + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 13.1% | 15.5% | Mobile + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 14.9% | 18.1% | Mobile + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Mobile
67.4°F
Rockford
49.2°F
Rockford +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Mobile
65.3 in
Rockford
36.2 in
Rockford +
| Metric | Mobile, AL | Rockford, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 67.4°F | 49.2°F | Rockford + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 65.3 in | 36.2 in | Rockford + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Mobile
8.8 µg/m³
Mobile +
Rockford
9.4 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Mobile
75.0%
Mobile +
Rockford
55.0%
| Metric | Mobile, AL | Rockford, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.8 µg/m³ | 9.4 µg/m³ | Mobile + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Mobile + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Mobile
24.5 min
Rockford
22.7 min
Rockford +
| Metric | Mobile, AL | Rockford, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 24.5 min | 22.7 min | Rockford + |
Which City is Right for You?
Rockford leads in median household income at $53,328, 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 Mobile. Mobile has a lower unemployment rate at 5.9%, and Mobile has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.8 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Mobile scores better with a lower obesity rate of 40.0%.
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