Median rent is 17% lower in Rockford ($985/mo vs $1,182/mo). Buying is cheaper in Rockford, where the median home runs $129,000 versus $212,400. Households earn more in Lubbock ($60,895 vs $54,752 a year). Taken together, Rockford is the more affordable choice with a cost index of 90.2 against 91.0 — about 1% lower overall prices. After adjusting income for local prices, a typical paycheck stretches further in Lubbock, TX.
Cost of living verdict
Rockford is 1% cheaper overall
Cost of Living Index: 90.2 in Rockford vs 91.0 in Lubbock (US national average = 100)
City A
Lubbock, TX
City B
Rockford, IL
How much would you need to earn in Rockford, IL to maintain your standard of living from Lubbock, TX?
Equivalent salary in Rockford, IL
$74,321
You could earn $679 less (1% 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
Lubbock
Texas
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
Median rent is modestly lower in Rockford at $985/mo compared to $1,182/mo in Lubbock (17% gap). Home buyers face a steeper market in Lubbock: the median home is $212,400 versus $129,000 in Rockford — 39% more expensive.
Metric
Lubbock
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.
Lubbock
Income tax: N/A
Sales tax: N/A
Rockford
Income tax: N/A
Sales tax: N/A
Both cities have similar air quality: Lubbock averages 24.0 AQI (Good) and Rockford averages 23.0 AQI (Good).
Pick Lubbock if you prioritize higher median household income ($60,895/yr).
Pick Rockford if you prioritize cheaper rent ($985/mo median).
Rockford is cheaper overall, with a cost of living index of 90.2 versus 91.0 (US average = 100). That means prices run about 1% lower in Rockford.
Median rent is $1,182/mo in Lubbock, TX and $985/mo in Rockford, IL. Rockford, IL has the lower rent by about 17%.
Median household income is $60,895 in Lubbock, TX and $54,752 in Rockford, IL. Lubbock, TX 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 24.0 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 Lubbock, TX is equivalent to roughly $99,094 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
