Head-to-Head · City Comparison
Mobile, AL
VS
Rockford, IL
🏆 Mobile leads 13 of 23 categories
Mobile
Alabama
13
wins
Cost of Living Index
89.4 ✓ Cheaper
Median Household Income
$48,524
Violent Crime Index
198⚠ High ✓ Safer
Population
186,316 ✓ Larger
Rockford
Illinois
10
wins
Cost of Living Index
90.1
Median Household Income
$50,744 ✓ Higher
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.
Mobile, AL
Pros
30% less violent crime than Rockford
Stronger job market — unemployment is 2.5 pts lower (6.5%)
Milder winters — January highs near 62°F vs 29°F
More college-educated — 30.2% hold a bachelor's or higher
Living costs sit below the national average (index 89.4)
Cons
Violent crime (752.0/100k) is above the U.S. average of 380
Rockford, IL
Pros
Homes cost $44k less ($114,100 vs $158,400)
Rent averages $79/mo less ($906 vs $985)
Living costs sit below the national average (index 90.1)
Cooler summers — July highs near 84°F vs 92°F
Cons
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 6.5%)
Key Differences at a Glance
Mobile
Cost of Living
1% cheaper
COL index 89.4 vs 90.1 (100 = US avg)
Mobile
Violent Crime
30% lower
752.0 vs 1080.0 per 100k
Mobile
Unemployment
2.5 pp lower
6.5% vs 9.0% unemployment
Mobile
Summer Heat
7.8°F warmer
July avg high 91.7°F vs 83.9°F
Rockford
Median Income
$2,220
$50,744 vs $48,524/yr
Rockford
Median Home Value
$44k less
$114,100 vs $158,400
Full Data Comparison
| Metric | Mobile, AL | Rockford, IL |
|---|---|---|
| 💰 Cost of Living | ||
| Cost of Living Index National avg = 100 · lower = cheaper | 89.4 ✓ Cheaper | 90.1 |
| Median Home Value | $158,400 | $114,100 ✓ Lower |
| Median Monthly Rent | $985 | $906 ✓ Lower |
| 📈 Income & Economy | ||
| Median Household Income | $48,524 | $50,744 ✓ Higher |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.5%⚠ High ✓ Lower | 9.0%⚠ High |
| Avg Commute Minutes each way | 22.8 min | 21.4 min ✓ Shorter |
| Work From Home % | 6.6% | 7.1% ✓ Higher |
| 🔒 Safety | ||
| Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer · 60% violent / 40% property | 151⚠ High ✓ Safer | 218⚠ High |
| Violent Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 198⚠ High ✓ Safer | 284⚠ High |
| Property Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 80 ✓ Safer | 120⚠ High |
| 🎓 Education | ||
| School Quality 100 = national avg · grad rate, staffing & attainment | B- (95) ✓ Better | C (79) |
| Student-Teacher Ratio Lower = smaller classes | 17.7:1 | 17.4:1 ✓ Smaller |
| Bachelor's Degree or Higher | 30.2% ✓ Higher | 23.1% |
| High School or Higher | 89.6% ✓ Higher | 85.4% |
| School District Name only — no quality rating available | Mobile County | Rockford SD 205 |
| 🌤 Weather | ||
| Avg High — January | 62.1°F ✓ Warmer | 29.1°F |
| Avg High — July | 91.7°F ✓ Warmer | 83.9°F |
| Annual Precipitation | 68.5" | 38.0" ✓ Drier |
| Annual Snowfall | 0.2" ✓ Less | 37.1" |
| 👥 Demographics | ||
| Population | 186,316 ✓ Larger | 148,173 |
| Median Age | 37.6 ✓ Older | 37.5 |
| Homeownership Rate | 50.6% | 54.1% ✓ Higher |
| Under 18 | 21.5% | 24.5% ✓ More |
| Over 65 | 16.9% | 17.4% ✓ More |
Frequently Asked Questions
Mobile's cost of living index is 89.4 vs Rockford's 90.1 (US average = 100).
Mobile is 1% less expensive overall.
Based on the 23 decided categories above, Mobile leads 13 of 23 categories. Mobile 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 Mobile to Rockford or relocating the other way, focus on the biggest gaps: housing ($158,400 vs $114,100 median home), income ($48,524 vs $50,744), safety, and schools — all covered in the full table above.
Mobile, AL and Rockford, IL are about 803 miles apart (straight-line distance). Driving distance will be longer depending on the route.