Rockford IL vs Roswell GA — Cost of Living, Crime & Income Comparison 2026
Updated May 2026 · Source: US Census ACS 5-Year (2023), FBI CDE (2023), BLS OEWS (2024)
Rockford, IL
Illinois · Population: 147,649
- Median HH Income$53,328
- Median Home Price$180,220
- Unemployment8.6%
- Bachelor's+23.2%
Roswell, GA
Georgia · Population: 92,577
- Median HH Income$124,422
- Median Home Price$662,209
- Unemployment4.3%
- Bachelor's+64.8%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Rockford
147,649
Rockford +
Roswell
92,577
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Rockford
N/A
Roswell
N/A
Median Age
Rockford
37.5
Rockford +
Roswell
40.0
Foreign Born
Rockford
12.3%
Roswell
18.7%
Roswell +
White
Rockford
55.5%
Roswell
65.0%
Roswell +
Black
Rockford
21.8%
Rockford +
Roswell
11.1%
Asian
Rockford
3.7%
Roswell
4.5%
Roswell +
Hispanic
Rockford
20.6%
Rockford +
Roswell
16.8%
Spanish at Home
Rockford
N/A
Roswell
N/A
| Metric | Rockford, IL | Roswell, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 147,649 | 92,577 | Rockford + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 37.5 | 40.0 | Rockford + |
| Foreign Born | 12.3% | 18.7% | Roswell + |
| White | 55.5% | 65.0% | Roswell + |
| Black | 21.8% | 11.1% | Rockford + |
| Asian | 3.7% | 4.5% | Roswell + |
| Hispanic | 20.6% | 16.8% | Rockford + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Rockford
$53,328
Roswell
$124,422
Roswell +
Per Capita Income
Rockford
$30,409
Roswell
$65,454
Roswell +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Rockford
$68,110
Rockford +
Roswell
$57,405
Unemployment Rate
Rockford
8.6%
Roswell
4.3%
Roswell +
Poverty Rate
Rockford
21.9%
Roswell
7.4%
Roswell +
Bachelor's Degree+
Rockford
23.2%
Roswell
64.8%
Roswell +
| Metric | Rockford, IL | Roswell, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $53,328 | $124,422 | Roswell + |
| Per Capita Income | $30,409 | $65,454 | Roswell + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $68,110 | $57,405 | Rockford + |
| Unemployment Rate | 8.6% | 4.3% | Roswell + |
| Poverty Rate | 21.9% | 7.4% | Roswell + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 23.2% | 64.8% | Roswell + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Rockford
$180,220
Rockford +
Roswell
$662,209
Homeownership Rate
Rockford
53.8%
Roswell
71.2%
Roswell +
| Metric | Rockford, IL | Roswell, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $180,220 | $662,209 | Rockford + |
| Homeownership Rate | 53.8% | 71.2% | Roswell + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Rockford
344
Rockford +
Roswell
392
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Rockford
1842
Roswell
1752
Roswell +
| Metric | Rockford, IL | Roswell, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 344 | 392 | Rockford + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1842 | 1752 | Roswell + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Rockford
44.7%
Roswell
24.6%
Roswell +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Rockford
15.4%
Roswell
9.1%
Roswell +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Rockford
19.0%
Roswell
13.8%
Roswell +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Rockford
14.0%
Roswell
9.9%
Roswell +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Rockford
15.5%
Rockford +
Roswell
17.4%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Rockford
18.1%
Roswell
8.3%
Roswell +
| Metric | Rockford, IL | Roswell, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 44.7% | 24.6% | Roswell + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 15.4% | 9.1% | Roswell + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.0% | 13.8% | Roswell + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 14.0% | 9.9% | Roswell + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.5% | 17.4% | Rockford + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 18.1% | 8.3% | Roswell + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Rockford
49.2°F
Roswell
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Rockford
36.2 in
Roswell
N/A
| Metric | Rockford, IL | Roswell, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 49.2°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 36.2 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Rockford
9.4 µg/m³
Rockford +
Roswell
9.8 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Rockford
55.0%
Roswell
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Rockford, IL | Roswell, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.4 µg/m³ | 9.8 µg/m³ | Rockford + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 55.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Rockford
22.7 min
Rockford +
Roswell
29.6 min
| Metric | Rockford, IL | Roswell, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 22.7 min | 29.6 min | Rockford + |
Which City is Right for You?
Roswell leads in median household income at $124,422, 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 392 in Roswell. Roswell has a lower unemployment rate at 4.3%, and Rockford has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 9.4 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Roswell scores better with a lower obesity rate of 24.6%.
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