Surprise vs Rockford: Cost of Living (2026)
A side-by-side comparison of Surprise, AZ and Rockford, IL, using US Census Bureau data.
| Metric | Surprise, AZ | Rockford, IL |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 145,591 | 148,173 |
| Median household income | $87,756 | $50,744 |
| Median home value | $352,600 | $114,100 |
| Median rent (/mo) | $1,822 | $906 |
Source: US Census Bureau ACS 5-Year (2022). Highlighted cell = more affordable / higher income.
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compare-top (set NEXT_PUBLIC_ADSENSE_CLIENT to serve real ads)Comparing Surprise, AZ and Rockford, IL comes down to what you value most. Rockford has the lower median home value, and Rockford has the lower median rent.
Surprise has the higher median household income, which affects how far a paycheck stretches against local housing costs. The table below breaks down the key numbers side by side, all sourced from the US Census Bureau.
Frequently asked questions
- Is it cheaper to live in Surprise or Rockford?
- By median home value, Rockford is the cheaper of the two ($114,100 vs $352,600). Rent and income differ too — see the full comparison above.
- Which has higher salaries, Surprise or Rockford?
- Median household income is $87,756 in Surprise versus $50,744 in Rockford, per the US Census Bureau.