Rockford IL vs Savannah 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%
Savannah, GA
Georgia · Population: 147,546
- Median HH Income$56,782
- Median Home Price$326,132
- Unemployment6.7%
- Bachelor's+32.0%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Rockford
147,649
Rockford +
Savannah
147,546
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Rockford
N/A
Savannah
N/A
Median Age
Rockford
37.5
Savannah
33.7
Savannah +
Foreign Born
Rockford
12.3%
Rockford +
Savannah
6.7%
White
Rockford
55.5%
Rockford +
Savannah
37.2%
Black
Rockford
21.8%
Savannah
52.2%
Savannah +
Asian
Rockford
3.7%
Rockford +
Savannah
2.9%
Hispanic
Rockford
20.6%
Rockford +
Savannah
7.1%
Spanish at Home
Rockford
N/A
Savannah
N/A
| Metric | Rockford, IL | Savannah, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 147,649 | 147,546 | Rockford + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 37.5 | 33.7 | Savannah + |
| Foreign Born | 12.3% | 6.7% | Rockford + |
| White | 55.5% | 37.2% | Rockford + |
| Black | 21.8% | 52.2% | Savannah + |
| Asian | 3.7% | 2.9% | Rockford + |
| Hispanic | 20.6% | 7.1% | Rockford + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Rockford
$53,328
Savannah
$56,782
Savannah +
Per Capita Income
Rockford
$30,409
Savannah
$32,004
Savannah +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Rockford
$68,110
Rockford +
Savannah
$57,405
Unemployment Rate
Rockford
8.6%
Savannah
6.7%
Savannah +
Poverty Rate
Rockford
21.9%
Savannah
19.5%
Savannah +
Bachelor's Degree+
Rockford
23.2%
Savannah
32.0%
Savannah +
| Metric | Rockford, IL | Savannah, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $53,328 | $56,782 | Savannah + |
| Per Capita Income | $30,409 | $32,004 | Savannah + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $68,110 | $57,405 | Rockford + |
| Unemployment Rate | 8.6% | 6.7% | Savannah + |
| Poverty Rate | 21.9% | 19.5% | Savannah + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 23.2% | 32.0% | Savannah + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Rockford
$180,220
Rockford +
Savannah
$326,132
Homeownership Rate
Rockford
53.8%
Rockford +
Savannah
44.4%
| Metric | Rockford, IL | Savannah, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $180,220 | $326,132 | Rockford + |
| Homeownership Rate | 53.8% | 44.4% | Rockford + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Rockford
344
Rockford +
Savannah
392
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Rockford
1842
Savannah
1752
Savannah +
| Metric | Rockford, IL | Savannah, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 344 | 392 | Rockford + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1842 | 1752 | Savannah + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Rockford
44.7%
Savannah
34.5%
Savannah +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Rockford
15.4%
Savannah
13.6%
Savannah +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Rockford
19.0%
Savannah
18.5%
Savannah +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Rockford
14.0%
Savannah
13.8%
Savannah +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Rockford
15.5%
Rockford +
Savannah
15.6%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Rockford
18.1%
Savannah
14.7%
Savannah +
| Metric | Rockford, IL | Savannah, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 44.7% | 34.5% | Savannah + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 15.4% | 13.6% | Savannah + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.0% | 18.5% | Savannah + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 14.0% | 13.8% | Savannah + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.5% | 15.6% | Rockford + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 18.1% | 14.7% | Savannah + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Rockford
49.2°F
Rockford +
Savannah
66.8°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Rockford
36.2 in
Rockford +
Savannah
48.0 in
| Metric | Rockford, IL | Savannah, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 49.2°F | 66.8°F | Rockford + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 36.2 in | 48.0 in | Rockford + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Rockford
9.4 µg/m³
Rockford +
Savannah
9.8 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Rockford
55.0%
Savannah
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Rockford, IL | Savannah, 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
Savannah
22.2 min
Savannah +
| Metric | Rockford, IL | Savannah, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 22.7 min | 22.2 min | Savannah + |
Which City is Right for You?
Savannah leads in median household income at $56,782, 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 Savannah. Savannah has a lower unemployment rate at 6.7%, and Rockford has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 9.4 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Savannah scores better with a lower obesity rate of 34.5%.
Compare More Cities
New York, NY vs Rockford, ILLos Angeles, CA vs Rockford, ILChicago, IL vs Rockford, ILHouston, TX vs Rockford, ILPhoenix, AZ vs Rockford, ILPhiladelphia, PA vs Rockford, IL