Rockford, IL Relocation Guide (2026)
Cost of living, housing, and income data for Rockford, sourced from the US Census Bureau.
Salary needed to live in Rockford →
Source: US Census Bureau ACS 5-Year (2022). Last updated July 2026.
Rockford counts roughly 148,173 residents, and the median household brings in $50,744 annually — -30% relative to the cities in our dataset, putting incomes here below the pack.
In Rockford, the median home is valued at $114,100 — below the median across the cities we track (-65%) — and typical rent runs $906 a month. Factor in mortgage rates and property taxes when sizing up whether buying pencils out.
Buying a typical home in Rockford would take about 2.2 years of median household income, a comparatively affordable multiple by our tracked standards. Rockford's home prices climbed 7.59% in the past year — rapid growth that's worth factoring into any timeline to buy. FEMA's National Risk Index puts Rockford at Relatively Moderate for overall natural-hazard risk — a relatively favorable factor for insurance costs.
Personal Affordability Check
Renting at $906/mo in Rockford would take 21.4% of your income.
$363/mo under the 30% guideline.
Buying the median home ($114,100) would take 14.4% of your income toward principal & interest.
$575/mo under the 28% guideline.
Cost of housing in Rockford
Median home value is $114,100 and median gross rent is $906/month. For buyers, monthly costs depend heavily on current mortgage rates — worth checking before you commit.
FHFA's county-level home price index for Winnebago rose 7.59% over the past year (as of 2025).
HUD's FY 2026 Fair Market Rent for a 2-bedroom unit in the surrounding county is $1,175/month.
Climate & home insurance
FEMA rates Rockford's overall natural-hazard risk as Relatively Moderate. Risk level is a major driver of home insurance premiums.
Safety
Rockford reported a violent crime rate of 899.5 per 100,000 residents in 2025, per FBI data.
Moving to Rockford
Planning a move to Rockford? Compare licensed movers and get quotes based on your origin and move date.
Frequently asked questions
- What is the cost of living in Rockford, IL?
- The US Census Bureau ACS 5-Year (2022) puts Rockford's median home value at $114,100, median rent at $906/month, and median household income at $50,744.
- How much do you need to earn to live comfortably in Rockford?
- At Rockford's median rent of $906/month, the 30%-of-income guideline suggests an annual income around $36,240 to stay comfortably housed. See the full salary breakdown (renting and buying) for Rockford.
- Is it better to rent or buy in Rockford?
- Buying at Rockford's median home value of $114,100 takes about $26,105 a year in principal-and-interest income (20% down, 30-year fixed, current mortgage rates), compared with roughly $36,240 a year to comfortably rent at the median $906/month. Down payment and expected length of stay usually settle the question.
- Is Rockford safe?
- Rockford reported a violent crime rate of 899.5 per 100,000 residents in 2025, per FBI data. Compare that figure against other cities you're considering for context.
See the full salary breakdown for Rockford →
Cities with a similar cost of living
Matched on median rent and household income within 15% of Rockford's.