Rockford vs Syracuse: Cost of Living (2026)
A side-by-side comparison of Rockford, IL and Syracuse, NY, using US Census Bureau data.
| Metric | Rockford, IL | Syracuse, NY |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 148,173 | 146,134 |
| Median household income | $50,744 | $43,584 |
| Median home value | $114,100 | $117,900 |
| Median rent (/mo) | $906 | $932 |
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 Rockford, IL and Syracuse, NY comes down to what you value most. Rockford has the lower median home value, and Rockford has the lower median rent.
Rockford 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 Rockford or Syracuse?
- By median home value, Rockford is the cheaper of the two ($114,100 vs $117,900). Rent and income differ too — see the full comparison above.
- Which has higher salaries, Rockford or Syracuse?
- Median household income is $50,744 in Rockford versus $43,584 in Syracuse, per the US Census Bureau.