Rockford IL vs Tuscaloosa AL — 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%
Tuscaloosa, AL
Alabama · Population: 107,699
- Median HH Income$48,536
- Median Home Price$231,461
- Unemployment7.0%
- Bachelor's+38.1%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Rockford
147,649
Rockford +
Tuscaloosa
107,699
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Rockford
N/A
Tuscaloosa
N/A
Median Age
Rockford
37.5
Tuscaloosa
28.2
Tuscaloosa +
Foreign Born
Rockford
12.3%
Rockford +
Tuscaloosa
4.7%
White
Rockford
55.5%
Rockford +
Tuscaloosa
49.6%
Black
Rockford
21.8%
Tuscaloosa
42.8%
Tuscaloosa +
Asian
Rockford
3.7%
Rockford +
Tuscaloosa
2.6%
Hispanic
Rockford
20.6%
Rockford +
Tuscaloosa
5.2%
Spanish at Home
Rockford
N/A
Tuscaloosa
N/A
| Metric | Rockford, IL | Tuscaloosa, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 147,649 | 107,699 | Rockford + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 37.5 | 28.2 | Tuscaloosa + |
| Foreign Born | 12.3% | 4.7% | Rockford + |
| White | 55.5% | 49.6% | Rockford + |
| Black | 21.8% | 42.8% | Tuscaloosa + |
| Asian | 3.7% | 2.6% | Rockford + |
| Hispanic | 20.6% | 5.2% | Rockford + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Rockford
$53,328
Rockford +
Tuscaloosa
$48,536
Per Capita Income
Rockford
$30,409
Tuscaloosa
$31,324
Tuscaloosa +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Rockford
$68,110
Rockford +
Tuscaloosa
$51,690
Unemployment Rate
Rockford
8.6%
Tuscaloosa
7.0%
Tuscaloosa +
Poverty Rate
Rockford
21.9%
Rockford +
Tuscaloosa
23.8%
Bachelor's Degree+
Rockford
23.2%
Tuscaloosa
38.1%
Tuscaloosa +
| Metric | Rockford, IL | Tuscaloosa, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $53,328 | $48,536 | Rockford + |
| Per Capita Income | $30,409 | $31,324 | Tuscaloosa + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $68,110 | $51,690 | Rockford + |
| Unemployment Rate | 8.6% | 7.0% | Tuscaloosa + |
| Poverty Rate | 21.9% | 23.8% | Rockford + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 23.2% | 38.1% | Tuscaloosa + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Rockford
$180,220
Rockford +
Tuscaloosa
$231,461
Homeownership Rate
Rockford
53.8%
Rockford +
Tuscaloosa
45.1%
| Metric | Rockford, IL | Tuscaloosa, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $180,220 | $231,461 | Rockford + |
| Homeownership Rate | 53.8% | 45.1% | Rockford + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Rockford
344
Rockford +
Tuscaloosa
400
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Rockford
1842
Tuscaloosa
1734
Tuscaloosa +
| Metric | Rockford, IL | Tuscaloosa, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 344 | 400 | Rockford + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1842 | 1734 | Tuscaloosa + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Rockford
44.7%
Tuscaloosa
42.6%
Tuscaloosa +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Rockford
15.4%
Tuscaloosa
12.0%
Tuscaloosa +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Rockford
19.0%
Rockford +
Tuscaloosa
21.3%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Rockford
14.0%
Tuscaloosa
11.5%
Tuscaloosa +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Rockford
15.5%
Tuscaloosa
15.1%
Tuscaloosa +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Rockford
18.1%
Tuscaloosa
14.7%
Tuscaloosa +
| Metric | Rockford, IL | Tuscaloosa, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 44.7% | 42.6% | Tuscaloosa + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 15.4% | 12.0% | Tuscaloosa + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.0% | 21.3% | Rockford + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 14.0% | 11.5% | Tuscaloosa + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.5% | 15.1% | Tuscaloosa + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 18.1% | 14.7% | Tuscaloosa + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Rockford
49.2°F
Rockford +
Tuscaloosa
65.0°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Rockford
36.2 in
Rockford +
Tuscaloosa
55.0 in
| Metric | Rockford, IL | Tuscaloosa, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 49.2°F | 65.0°F | Rockford + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 36.2 in | 55.0 in | Rockford + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Rockford
9.4 µg/m³
Tuscaloosa
8.8 µg/m³
Tuscaloosa +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Rockford
55.0%
Tuscaloosa
75.0%
Tuscaloosa +
| Metric | Rockford, IL | Tuscaloosa, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.4 µg/m³ | 8.8 µg/m³ | Tuscaloosa + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Tuscaloosa + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Rockford
22.7 min
Tuscaloosa
20.0 min
Tuscaloosa +
| Metric | Rockford, IL | Tuscaloosa, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 22.7 min | 20.0 min | Tuscaloosa + |
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 Tuscaloosa. Tuscaloosa has a lower unemployment rate at 7.0%, and Tuscaloosa has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.8 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Tuscaloosa scores better with a lower obesity rate of 42.6%.
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