Median rent is 25% lower in Rockford ($985/mo vs $1,318/mo). Buying is cheaper in Rockford, where the median home runs $129,000 versus $227,300. Households earn more in Salisbury ($58,576 vs $54,752 a year). Taken together, Salisbury is the more affordable choice with a cost index of 89.3 against 90.2 — about 1% lower overall prices. After adjusting income for local prices, a typical paycheck stretches further in Salisbury, MD.
Quick verdict
Salisbury is 1% cheaper overall
Cost index: 89.3 in Salisbury vs 90.2 in Rockford (US average = 100)
City A
Rockford, IL
City B
Salisbury, MD
How much would you need to earn in Salisbury, MD to maintain your standard of living from Rockford, IL?
Equivalent salary in Salisbury, MD
$74,274
You could earn $726 less (1% lower) and break even.
Based on BEA Regional Price Parity (cost index) for each city's metro area. A rough estimate of overall purchasing power, not tax or take-home pay.
Metric
Rockford
Illinois
Salisbury
Maryland
👥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: US Census ACS, BEA RPP, HUD FMR, EPA AirNow, Tax Foundation
Renters will find significantly cheaper housing in Rockford — median rent of $985/mo versus $1,318/mo in Salisbury, a 25% difference. Home buyers face a steeper market in Salisbury: the median home is $227,300 versus $129,000 in Rockford — 43% more expensive.
1BR Fair Market Rent
2BR Fair Market Rent
BLS OEWS 2023 — metro-level data
State tax data is not yet available for these cities.
Rockford
Income tax: N/A
Sales tax: N/A
Salisbury
Income tax: N/A
Sales tax: N/A
Air quality data is available for Rockford (avg AQI 23.0) but not yet for Salisbury.
Pick Salisbury if you prioritize higher median household income ($58,576/yr).
Pick Rockford if you prioritize cheaper rent ($985/mo median).
Is Rockford cheaper than Salisbury?
Salisbury is cheaper overall, with a cost of living index of 89.3 versus 90.2 (US average = 100). That means prices run about 1% lower in Salisbury.
How much is rent in Rockford vs Salisbury?
Median rent is $985/mo in Rockford, IL and $1,318/mo in Salisbury, MD. Rockford, IL has the lower rent by about 25%.
Which has higher salaries — Rockford or Salisbury?
Median household income is $54,752 in Rockford, IL and $58,576 in Salisbury, MD. Salisbury, MD has the higher median income. Note that BLS occupational wages in the table above show wages for specific jobs.
Which city has better air quality?
Air quality data is not yet available for one or both cities.
Which has lower taxes — Rockford or Salisbury?
State tax data is not yet available for one or both cities.
What salary do I need in Salisbury to match my Rockford income?
To maintain the same purchasing power, a salary of $100,000 in Rockford, IL is equivalent to roughly $99,032 in Salisbury, MD (using the BEA Regional Price Parity ratio). Use the salary calculator above for any income amount.
Data last updated: December 1, 2026 · Sources: US Census ACS, BEA RPP, BLS OEWS, HUD FMR, EPA AirNow, Tax Foundation · Methodology
