| Index | Rockford | Illinois | National |
| Cost of living | 87 | 98 | 100 |
| Groceries | 98 | 100 | 100 |
| Health care | 98 | 100 | 100 |
| Housing | 61 | 95 | 100 |
| Transportation | 100 | 101 | 100 |
| Utilities | 96 | 99 | 100 |
| Lifestyle & Entertainment | 94 | 100 | 100 |
| Household Items | 97 | 100 | 100 |
| Education & Childcare | 97 | 100 | 100 |
Knowing the cost of living in Rockford allows individuals to create a realistic budget. This helps them understand how their income will cover expenses and whether they need to make financial adjustments. The cost of living in any region can fluctuate due to various factors. To assess the cost of living consistently across different areas, a national average of 100 serves as the basis for the cost of living index. The cost of living in Rockford stands at 87, marking it 13% lower than the national average.
Locals have the inside scoop on their city. So, we polled 31 residents in Rockford to learn how they view the cost of living. We asked how they felt about the cost of living in their area, and if they thought that prices were increasing, decreasing or staying the same. The verdict? 23% find it reasonable with decreasing prices, but 77% think it's quite pricey, with prices that continue to rise.
Is Rockford an affordable place to live? It's a good question and one that you might want to ask when considering any new city, as affordability can play a huge role in the decision making process. The cost of living index (which we covered above), as well as housing costs and income levels play a vital role in determining the affordability of an area. The median home price in Rockford is 47.7% lower than the national average, while the average monthly rent prices are 17.5% lower than average. The affordability of any location can also be influenced by median income levels. Rockford has a median household income of $66,354, which is 18.4% lower than the national average.
Urbanization: Urban areas with extensive amenities and job opportunities tend to have a higher cost of living due to increased demand for services and relocation, resulting in higher home prices and higher rents. Less densely populated rural areas, or areas with less demand tend to have fewer amenities and slower job growth, which results in a lower cost of living.
Utilities: Much like any other costs, utility expenses can exhibit considerable variations, influenced by factors such as climate, available energy sources, geographic location and state regulations. The costs associated with electricity, water, heating, and waste disposal can vary significantly depending on the city or state in question. In Rockford, the utilities index stands at 3.6% lower than the national average.
Transportation: When public transportation options are limited or non-existent, residents frequently resort to vehicle ownership, which can significantly contribute to the overall cost of living. Monthly financial obligations encompass fuel, insurance, regular maintenance and potentially lease or financing expenses. In Rockford, the transportation index is 0% equal to the national average.
The Rockford cost of living data above is designed around a U.S. average baseline of 100, allowing for easy comparisons of relative living costs. Housing incorporates U.S. Census home price and rental data, while all other figures are AI-assisted estimates that account for regional price trends, climate, transportation dynamics, and common everyday expenses. These values are best used as directional city-to-city comparisons.
| Cost of living index | |
| Groceries index | |
| Health care index | |
| Housing index | |
| Transportation index | |
| Utilities index | |
| Lifestyle index | |
| Household index | |
| Educare index |
| Median Income | Per Year | Per Month | Max Budget (28% DTI) | Max Budget (36% DTI) |
| Owners | $90,873 | $7,573 | $2,120 | $2,726 |
| Renters | $43,660 | $3,638 | $1,019 | $1,310 |
| State | General Sales Tax | With Max Surtax |
| Illinois | 6.25% | 10.25% |
| State | Income Tax (Low) | Income Tax (High) |
| Illinois | 4.95% | 4.95% |
| City | Population | Cost of Living Index | National Avg. |
| Durand, IL | 1,529 | 88 | 12.4% |
| Belvidere, IL | 25,831 | 89 | 10.7% |
| Pecatonica, IL | 2,002 | 89 | 10.6% |
| Monroe Center, IL | 398 | 90 | 10.2% |
| Loves Park, IL | 24,142 | 90 | 9.8% |
| Rockford, IL | 151,169 | 87 | 13.5% |
| City | Population | Cost of Living Index | National Avg. |
| Naperville, IL | 151,582 | 133 | 32.6% |
| Bellevue, WA | 151,975 | 203 | 103.2% |
| Joliet, IL | 152,137 | 102 | 2.4% |
| Torrance, CA | 150,066 | 195 | 94.6% |
| Bridgeport, CT | 149,398 | 109 | 8.6% |
| Rockford, IL | 151,169 | 87 | 13.5% |
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