Median rent is 46% lower in Rockford ($985/mo vs $1,821/mo). Buying is cheaper in Rockford, where the median home runs $129,000 versus $777,600. Households earn more in New York ($80,483 vs $54,752 a year). Taken together, Rockford is the more affordable choice with a cost index of 90.2 against 112.6 — about 20% lower overall prices. After adjusting income for local prices, a typical paycheck stretches further in New York, NY.
Cost of living verdict
Rockford is 20% cheaper overall
Cost of Living Index: 90.2 in Rockford vs 112.6 in New York (US national average = 100)
City A
New York, NY
City B
Rockford, IL
How much would you need to earn in Rockford, IL to maintain your standard of living from New York, NY?
Equivalent salary in Rockford, IL
$60,033
You could earn $14,967 less (20% 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
New York
New York
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 $1,821/mo in New York, a 46% difference. Home buyers face a steeper market in New York: the median home is $777,600 versus $129,000 in Rockford — 83% more expensive.
Metric
New York
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.
New York
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 46.0 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 112.6).
Pick New York if you prioritize higher median household income ($80,483/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 112.6 (US average = 100). That means prices run about 20% lower in Rockford.
Median rent is $1,821/mo in New York, NY and $985/mo in Rockford, IL. Rockford, IL has the lower rent by about 46%.
Median household income is $80,483 in New York, NY and $54,752 in Rockford, IL. New York, NY 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 46.0 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 New York, NY is equivalent to roughly $80,044 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
