Head-to-Head · City Comparison
Atlanta, GA
VS
Rockford, IL
🏆 Atlanta leads 13 of 23 categories
Atlanta
Georgia
13
wins
Cost of Living Index
100.9⚠ High
Median Household Income
$77,655 ✓ Higher
Violent Crime Index
221⚠ High ✓ Safer
Population
494,838 ✓ Larger
Rockford
Illinois
10
wins
Cost of Living Index
90.1 ✓ Cheaper
Median Household Income
$50,744
Violent Crime Index
284⚠ High
Population
148,173
Pros & Cons
Auto-generated from official data — head-to-head differences and gaps vs the national average.
Atlanta, GA
Pros
Households earn $26,911 more per year on average
22% less violent crime than Rockford
Stronger job market — unemployment is 3.2 pts lower (5.8%)
More college-educated — 57.3% hold a bachelor's or higher
Milder winters — January highs near 54°F vs 29°F
Smaller class sizes — 12.1:1 student-teacher ratio
Cons
Pricier housing — median home is $395,600
Higher rents — median is $1,512/mo
Violent crime (840.6/100k) is above the U.S. average of 380
Property crime (3748.0/100k) runs high vs the U.S. average
Rockford, IL
Pros
Homes cost $282k less ($114,100 vs $395,600)
Rent averages $606/mo less ($906 vs $1,512)
Commutes run 6 min shorter each way
11% cheaper overall cost of living than Atlanta
Living costs sit below the national average (index 90.1)
Cooler summers — July highs near 84°F vs 90°F
Cons
Median income trails Atlanta by $26,911/yr
Violent crime (1080.0/100k) is above the U.S. average of 380
Property crime (2517.2/100k) runs high vs the U.S. average
Higher unemployment (9.0% vs 5.8%)
Key Differences at a Glance
Atlanta
Median Income
$26,911
$77,655 vs $50,744/yr
Atlanta
Violent Crime
22% lower
840.6 vs 1080.0 per 100k
Atlanta
Unemployment
3.2 pp lower
5.8% vs 9.0% unemployment
Atlanta
Summer Heat
6.1°F warmer
July avg high 90.0°F vs 83.9°F
Rockford
Cost of Living
11% cheaper
COL index 90.1 vs 100.9 (100 = US avg)
Rockford
Median Home Value
$282k less
$114,100 vs $395,600
Full Data Comparison
| Metric | Atlanta, GA | Rockford, IL |
|---|---|---|
| 💰 Cost of Living | ||
| Cost of Living Index National avg = 100 · lower = cheaper | 100.9⚠ High | 90.1 ✓ Cheaper |
| Median Home Value | $395,600⚠ High | $114,100 ✓ Lower |
| Median Monthly Rent | $1,512⚠ High | $906 ✓ Lower |
| 📈 Income & Economy | ||
| Median Household Income | $77,655 ✓ Higher | $50,744 |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.8%⚠ High ✓ Lower | 9.0%⚠ High |
| Avg Commute Minutes each way | 27.5 min | 21.4 min ✓ Shorter |
| Work From Home % | 23.2% ✓ Higher | 7.1% |
| 🔒 Safety | ||
| Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer · 60% violent / 40% property | 204⚠ High ✓ Safer | 218⚠ High |
| Violent Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 221⚠ High ✓ Safer | 284⚠ High |
| Property Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 178⚠ High | 120⚠ High ✓ Safer |
| 🎓 Education | ||
| School Quality 100 = national avg · grad rate, staffing & attainment | A (120) ✓ Better | C (79) |
| Student-Teacher Ratio Lower = smaller classes | 12.1:1 ✓ Smaller | 17.4:1 |
| Bachelor's Degree or Higher | 57.3% ✓ Higher | 23.1% |
| High School or Higher | 92.9% ✓ Higher | 85.4% |
| School District Name only — no quality rating available | Atlanta Public Schools | Rockford SD 205 |
| 🌤 Weather | ||
| Avg High — January | 53.7°F ✓ Warmer | 29.1°F |
| Avg High — July | 90.0°F ✓ Warmer | 83.9°F |
| Annual Precipitation | 51.8" | 38.0" ✓ Drier |
| Annual Snowfall | 0.5" ✓ Less | 37.1" |
| 👥 Demographics | ||
| Population | 494,838 ✓ Larger | 148,173 |
| Median Age | 33.6 | 37.5 ✓ Older |
| Homeownership Rate | 45.7% | 54.1% ✓ Higher |
| Under 18 | 17.2% | 24.5% ✓ More |
| Over 65 | 12.0% | 17.4% ✓ More |
Frequently Asked Questions
Atlanta's cost of living index is 100.9 vs Rockford's 90.1 (US average = 100).
Rockford is 11% less expensive overall.
Based on the 23 decided categories above, Atlanta leads 13 of 23 categories. Atlanta wins 13 and Rockford wins 10. The right choice depends on your priorities — use the Pros & Cons and full table above to weigh what matters to you.
Whether you're moving from Atlanta to Rockford or relocating the other way, focus on the biggest gaps: housing ($395,600 vs $114,100 median home), income ($77,655 vs $50,744), safety, and schools — all covered in the full table above.
Atlanta, GA and Rockford, IL are about 639 miles apart (straight-line distance). Driving distance will be longer depending on the route.