Median rent is 2% lower in Springfield ($964/mo vs $985/mo). Buying is cheaper in Rockford, where the median home runs $129,000 versus $177,700. Households earn more in Rockford ($54,752 vs $49,311 a year). Taken together, Springfield is the more affordable choice with a cost index of 90.1 against 90.2 — about 0% lower overall prices. After adjusting income for local prices, a typical paycheck stretches further in Rockford, IL.
City A
Rockford, IL
City B
Springfield, MO
How much would you need to earn in Springfield, MO to maintain your standard of living from Rockford, IL?
Equivalent salary in Springfield, MO
$74,938
You could earn $62 less (0% 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
Springfield
Missouri
👥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
Median rents are similar in both cities: $985/mo in Rockford and $964/mo in Springfield. Home buyers face a steeper market in Springfield: the median home is $177,700 versus $129,000 in Rockford — 27% 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
Springfield
Income tax: N/A
Sales tax: N/A
Rockford has cleaner air on average: 23.0 AQI (Good) compared to 41.0 AQI (Good) in the other city. Lower AQI means cleaner, healthier air.
Pick Rockford if you prioritize higher median household income ($54,752/yr).
Pick Rockford if you prioritize cleaner air quality (avg AQI 23.0).
Is Rockford cheaper than Springfield?
Springfield is cheaper overall, with a cost of living index of 90.1 versus 90.2 (US average = 100). That means prices run about 0% lower in Springfield.
How much is rent in Rockford vs Springfield?
Median rent is $985/mo in Rockford, IL and $964/mo in Springfield, MO. Springfield, MO has the lower rent by about 2%.
Which has higher salaries — Rockford or Springfield?
Median household income is $54,752 in Rockford, IL and $49,311 in Springfield, MO. Rockford, IL 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?
Rockford, IL has better air quality on average: 23.0 AQI versus 41.0 AQI. Both are EPA AirNow annual averages; lower is better.
Which has lower taxes — Rockford or Springfield?
State tax data is not yet available for one or both cities.
What salary do I need in Springfield to match my Rockford income?
To maintain the same purchasing power, a salary of $100,000 in Rockford, IL is equivalent to roughly $99,917 in Springfield, MO (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
