Median rent is 14% lower in Rockford ($985/mo vs $1,145/mo). Buying is cheaper in Rockford, where the median home runs $129,000 versus $266,200. Households earn more in Tucson ($57,073 vs $54,752 a year). Taken together, Tucson is the more affordable choice with a cost index of 89.9 against 90.2 — about 0% lower overall prices. After adjusting income for local prices, a typical paycheck stretches further in Tucson, AZ.
City A
Rockford, IL
City B
Tucson, AZ
How much would you need to earn in Tucson, AZ to maintain your standard of living from Rockford, IL?
Equivalent salary in Tucson, AZ
$74,775
You could earn $225 less (0% 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
Rockford
Illinois
Tucson
Arizona
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 $1,145/mo in Tucson (14% gap). Home buyers face a steeper market in Tucson: the median home is $266,200 versus $129,000 in Rockford — 52% more expensive.
Metric
Rockford
Tucson
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.
Rockford
Income tax: N/A
Sales tax: N/A
Tucson
Income tax: N/A
Sales tax: N/A
Rockford has cleaner air on average: 23.0 AQI (Good) compared to 26.0 AQI (Good) in the other city. Lower AQI means cleaner, healthier air.
Pick Rockford if you prioritize cheaper rent ($985/mo median).
Tucson is cheaper overall, with a cost of living index of 89.9 versus 90.2 (US average = 100). That means prices run about 0% lower in Tucson.
Median rent is $985/mo in Rockford, IL and $1,145/mo in Tucson, AZ. Rockford, IL has the lower rent by about 14%.
Median household income is $54,752 in Rockford, IL and $57,073 in Tucson, AZ. Tucson, AZ 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 26.0 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 Rockford, IL is equivalent to roughly $99,699 in Tucson, AZ (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
