Montgomery 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)
Montgomery, AL
Alabama · Population: 198,440
- Median HH Income$55,687
- Median Home Price$151,721
- Unemployment6.5%
- Bachelor's+33.5%
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
Montgomery
198,440
Montgomery +
Rockford
147,649
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Montgomery
N/A
Rockford
N/A
Median Age
Montgomery
36.2
Montgomery +
Rockford
37.5
Foreign Born
Montgomery
5.5%
Rockford
12.3%
Rockford +
White
Montgomery
27.7%
Rockford
55.5%
Rockford +
Black
Montgomery
63.0%
Montgomery +
Rockford
21.8%
Asian
Montgomery
3.3%
Rockford
3.7%
Rockford +
Hispanic
Montgomery
4.8%
Rockford
20.6%
Rockford +
Spanish at Home
Montgomery
N/A
Rockford
N/A
| Metric | Montgomery, AL | Rockford, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 198,440 | 147,649 | Montgomery + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.2 | 37.5 | Montgomery + |
| Foreign Born | 5.5% | 12.3% | Rockford + |
| White | 27.7% | 55.5% | Rockford + |
| Black | 63.0% | 21.8% | Montgomery + |
| Asian | 3.3% | 3.7% | Rockford + |
| Hispanic | 4.8% | 20.6% | Rockford + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Montgomery
$55,687
Montgomery +
Rockford
$53,328
Per Capita Income
Montgomery
$32,068
Montgomery +
Rockford
$30,409
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Montgomery
$51,690
Rockford
$68,110
Rockford +
Unemployment Rate
Montgomery
6.5%
Montgomery +
Rockford
8.6%
Poverty Rate
Montgomery
20.9%
Montgomery +
Rockford
21.9%
Bachelor's Degree+
Montgomery
33.5%
Montgomery +
Rockford
23.2%
| Metric | Montgomery, AL | Rockford, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $55,687 | $53,328 | Montgomery + |
| Per Capita Income | $32,068 | $30,409 | Montgomery + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $51,690 | $68,110 | Rockford + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.5% | 8.6% | Montgomery + |
| Poverty Rate | 20.9% | 21.9% | Montgomery + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 33.5% | 23.2% | Montgomery + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Montgomery
$151,721
Montgomery +
Rockford
$180,220
Homeownership Rate
Montgomery
54.3%
Montgomery +
Rockford
53.8%
| Metric | Montgomery, AL | Rockford, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $151,721 | $180,220 | Montgomery + |
| Homeownership Rate | 54.3% | 53.8% | Montgomery + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Montgomery
400
Rockford
344
Rockford +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Montgomery
1734
Montgomery +
Rockford
1842
| Metric | Montgomery, AL | Rockford, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 400 | 344 | Rockford + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1734 | 1842 | Montgomery + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Montgomery
46.4%
Rockford
44.7%
Rockford +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Montgomery
16.7%
Rockford
15.4%
Rockford +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Montgomery
17.6%
Montgomery +
Rockford
19.0%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Montgomery
11.0%
Montgomery +
Rockford
14.0%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Montgomery
12.4%
Montgomery +
Rockford
15.5%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Montgomery
15.3%
Montgomery +
Rockford
18.1%
| Metric | Montgomery, AL | Rockford, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 46.4% | 44.7% | Rockford + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 16.7% | 15.4% | Rockford + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.6% | 19.0% | Montgomery + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.0% | 14.0% | Montgomery + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 12.4% | 15.5% | Montgomery + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 15.3% | 18.1% | Montgomery + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Montgomery
64.5°F
Rockford
49.2°F
Rockford +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Montgomery
52.8 in
Rockford
36.2 in
Rockford +
| Metric | Montgomery, AL | Rockford, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 64.5°F | 49.2°F | Rockford + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 52.8 in | 36.2 in | Rockford + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Montgomery
8.8 µg/m³
Montgomery +
Rockford
9.4 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Montgomery
75.0%
Montgomery +
Rockford
55.0%
| Metric | Montgomery, AL | Rockford, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.8 µg/m³ | 9.4 µg/m³ | Montgomery + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Montgomery + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Montgomery
22.0 min
Montgomery +
Rockford
22.7 min
| Metric | Montgomery, AL | Rockford, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 22.0 min | 22.7 min | Montgomery + |
Which City is Right for You?
Montgomery leads in median household income at $55,687, while montgomery offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $151,721. On public safety, Rockford is safer with a violent crime rate of 344 per 100,000 residents, compared to 400 in Montgomery. Montgomery has a lower unemployment rate at 6.5%, and Montgomery has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.8 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Rockford scores better with a lower obesity rate of 44.7%.
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