Median rent is 32% lower in Rockford ($985/mo vs $1,440/mo). Buying is cheaper in Rockford, where the median home runs $129,000 versus $334,100. Households earn more in Chicago ($77,902 vs $54,752 a year). Taken together, Rockford is the more affordable choice with a cost index of 90.2 against 102.5 — about 12% lower overall prices. After adjusting income for local prices, a typical paycheck stretches further in Chicago, IL.
Cost of living verdict
Rockford is 12% cheaper overall
Cost of Living Index: 90.2 in Rockford vs 102.5 in Chicago (US national average = 100)
City A
Chicago, IL
City B
Rockford, IL
How much would you need to earn in Rockford, IL to maintain your standard of living from Chicago, IL?
Equivalent salary in Rockford, IL
$65,984
You could earn $9,016 less (12% lower) and break even.
Based on BEA Regional Price Parity (cost index) for each metro area. This estimates overall purchasing power; it does not account for taxes or take-home pay differences.
Metric
Chicago
Illinois
Rockford
Illinois
Population
Median Household Income
Annual
Median Gross Rent
Per month
Median Home Value
Cost of Living Index
US avg = 100
1BR Fair Market Rent
HUD FMR
2BR Fair Market Rent
HUD FMR
3BR Fair Market Rent
HUD FMR
Air Quality Index
Lower = cleaner
Top State Income Tax
Top marginal rate
State Sales Tax
Statewide base rate
Median Age
Years
✓ = better value · Sources: Census ACS, BEA, HUD Fair Market Rents, EPA AirNow, Tax Foundation
Renters will find significantly cheaper housing in Rockford — median rent of $985/mo versus $1,440/mo in Chicago, a 32% difference. Home buyers face a steeper market in Chicago: the median home is $334,100 versus $129,000 in Rockford — 61% more expensive.
Metric
Chicago
Rockford
Software Developer
Registered Nurse
Elementary Teacher
Electrician
Accountant
Higher wage highlighted · BLS OEWS 2023 (metro-level data)
State tax data is not yet available for these cities.
Chicago
Income tax: N/A
Sales tax: N/A
Rockford
Income tax: N/A
Sales tax: N/A
Rockford has cleaner air on average: 23.0 AQI (Good) compared to 31.0 AQI (Good) in the other city. Lower AQI means cleaner, healthier air.
Pick Rockford if you prioritize lower overall cost of living (index 90.2 vs 102.5).
Pick Chicago if you prioritize higher median household income ($77,902/yr).
Pick Rockford if you prioritize cheaper rent ($985/mo median).
Pick Rockford if you prioritize cleaner air quality (avg AQI 23.0).
Rockford is cheaper overall, with a cost of living index of 90.2 versus 102.5 (US average = 100). That means prices run about 12% lower in Rockford.
Median rent is $1,440/mo in Chicago, IL and $985/mo in Rockford, IL. Rockford, IL has the lower rent by about 32%.
Median household income is $77,902 in Chicago, IL and $54,752 in Rockford, IL. Chicago, IL has the higher median income. Note that BLS occupational wages in the table above show wages for specific jobs.
Rockford, IL has better air quality on average: 23.0 AQI versus 31.0 AQI. Both are EPA AirNow annual averages; lower is better.
State tax data is not yet available for one or both cities.
To maintain the same purchasing power, a salary of $100,000 in Chicago, IL is equivalent to roughly $87,979 in Rockford, IL (using the BEA Regional Price Parity ratio). Use the salary calculator above for any income amount.
Data last updated: June 1, 2026 · Sources: US Census ACS, BEA RPP, BLS OEWS, HUD FMR, EPA AirNow, Tax Foundation · Methodology
