Home › IL › Rockford, IL Cost of living in Rockford, IL Livability score 67 · cost-of-living index 90.2 (US = 100)
How Rockford compares Where Rockford falls within the range of all 200 metros (marker = this city).
Cost-of-living index (US=100) 85 118 Cost-of-living index (US=100): 90 — range 85 to 118 across all metros 90 Median home price $149k $1610k Median home price: $221k — range $149k to $1610k across all metros $221k Price per sqft (more house = lower) $88 $1074 Price per sqft (more house = lower): $130 — range $88 to $1074 across all metros $130 Combined sales tax 0.0% 11.5% Combined sales tax: 8.9% — range 0.0% to 11.5% across all metros 8.9% Property tax rate 0.28% 2.76% Property tax rate: 2.54% — range 0.28% to 2.76% across all metros 2.54% Violent crime (per 100k, state avg) 110 1,000 Violent crime (per 100k, state avg): 430 — range 110 to 1,000 across all metros 430 Electricity (¢/kWh) 12.3 46.6 Electricity (¢/kWh): 20.5 — range 12.3 to 46.6 across all metros 20.5 Avg summer high (°F) 65° 104° Avg summer high (°F): 85° — range 65° to 104° across all metros 85° Avg winter low (°F) -2° 72° Avg winter low (°F): 15° — range -2° to 72° across all metros 15° Map of Rockford Grocery stores, parks, golf courses and more — real listings. Toggle categories in the legend.
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Cost of living Metric Value Scope US rank Cost-of-living index (US=100) 90.2 metro-area #33 of 200 Grocery index (US=100) 93.1 metro-area #20 of 200 Big Mac price (est.) $5.13 metro-area #32 of 200 Median household income $63,834 metro-area #150 of 200 Median wage (all occupations) $37,749 metro-area #130 of 200
Who lives here Metric Value Scope US rank Median age 39.6 years metro-area #130 of 200 Bachelor's degree or higher (25+) 24.4% metro-area #175 of 200 Foreign-born residents 8.9% metro-area #86 of 200 Homes that are owner-occupied 67.8% metro-area #78 of 200
Economy Metric Value Scope US rank Unemployment rate 7.53% metro-area #188 of 200 Population growth (5-yr) -0.9% metro-area #182 of 200
Housing — what your money buys Metric Value Scope US rank Median home price $221,368 metro-area #24 of 200 Home price ÷ income (affordability) 3.5× metro-area #15 of 200 1-yr home appreciation +9.1% metro-area #1 of 200 Price per square foot $130 metro-area #43 of 200 Typical home size (implied) 1,700 sqft Median rent (monthly) $1,319 metro-area #31 of 200 Homes for sale (inventory) 678 Median days on market 7 metro-area #18 of 200
Taxes Metric Value Scope US rank Total tax burden (est. % of income) 12.9% state #164 of 200 Combined sales tax 8.86% state #169 of 200 State income tax (top rate) 4.95% Capital gains tax 4.95% state #112 of 200 High earners No special surtax Social Security in retirement Not taxed — does not tax Social Security benefits Effective property tax rate 2.54% metro-area #195 of 200 Median property tax paid $3,878 metro-area #152 of 200
Health & childcare Metric Value Scope US rank Life expectancy at birth 75.1 years metro-area #148 of 200 Healthcare (annual, single adult) $6,800 state #93 of 200 Uninsured (share of residents) 7.0% metro-area #64 of 200 Primary care providers per 100k 68 metro-area #140 of 200 Childcare (annual, infant, center) $14,000 state #138 of 200
Vehicles & commute Metric Value Scope US rank Annual registration $150 state #125 of 200 Vehicle property tax (annual) None state #1 of 200 Emissions testing Required Emissions detail Required in major metro counties DMV & license offices 4 Avg commute to work 24 min metro-area #80 of 200 Commute by driving alone 78.6% metro-area #155 of 200 Solo drivers commuting 30+ min 25.0% metro-area #44 of 200
Utilities & fuel Metric Value Scope US rank Electricity 20.5¢/kWh state #138 of 200 Avg monthly electric bill $184 state #138 of 200 Gasoline $3.60/gal state #159 of 200 Natural gas (avg monthly bill) $82 state #167 of 200 Water & sewer (avg monthly bill) $57 state #7 of 200 Home internet (avg monthly bill) $77 state #67 of 200
Insurance Metric Value Scope US rank Home insurance (annual) $1,900 state #106 of 200 Auto insurance (annual) $1,600 state #51 of 200
Disaster risk & supplemental insurance Metric Value Scope US rank Main natural hazards Notable hazards: tornadoes, earthquakes — separate flood/quake/windstorm policies may be needed. FEMA National Risk Index (0–100, higher = more risk) 86.8 — Relatively Moderate metro-area #77 of 200 Flood insurance (annual, NFIP) $700 state #61 of 200 Earthquake insurance (annual) $300 state #143 of 200
Climate & air quality Metric Value Scope US rank Air quality (median AQI, lower=cleaner) 43 metro-area #70 of 200 Cooling degree-days (AC load) 900 metro-area #66 of 200 Homes with air conditioning (state) 96% state #4 of 200 Heating degree-days (heat load) 6,200 metro-area #178 of 200 Days per year ≥ 90°F 15 metro-area #69 of 200 Days per year ≥ 100°F 0 metro-area #5 of 200 Avg summer high (state) 85°F metro-area #59 of 200 Avg winter low 15°F metro-area #182 of 200 Annual precipitation 40.9" metro-area #86 of 200 Annual snowfall 38.8" metro-area #151 of 200 Sunshine (% of possible) 54% metro-area #161 of 200 Plant hardiness zone 6a Frost window 04-30 → 10-15
Safety Metric Value Scope US rank Violent crime (per 100k, state avg) 430 state #111 of 200 Property crime (per 100k, state avg) 1,700 state #47 of 200
Local amenities & recreation Metric Value Scope US rank Grocery stores 120 metro-area #5 of 200 Parks 60 Hiking areas 15 Golf courses 15 Shooting ranges 4 Lakes 4
Permits Metric Value Scope US rank Building permit difficulty (1–5) 4 state #147 of 200 Permit detail Difficult; zoning + review
US rank = this metro's position among all 200 metros (1 = best: cheapest / safest / highest income, etc.). Childcare is a family cost, not included in the salary-equivalence total.
Top employers in Rockford Major public and private employers in the Rockford, IL area.
Employer Sector Jobs Fiat Chrysler Automobiles Manufacturing Careers → Mercyhealth Healthcare Careers → Swedish American Health System Healthcare Careers → Rockford Public Schools Education Careers → Haldex Hydraulics Corporation Manufacturing Search →
Salaries by occupation in Rockford Local median pay, BLS OEWS. All occupations →
Occupation Median pay Dentists $171,590 Pharmacists $137,500 Financial Managers $127,120 Physician Assistants $123,220 Human Resources Managers $112,340 Marketing Managers $106,730 Software Developers $105,200 Data Scientists $104,940 Physical Therapists $104,440 Lawyers $101,190 Construction Managers $99,320 General & Operations Managers $94,700 Civil Engineers $88,520 Plumbers, Pipefitters & Steamfitters $84,940 Dental Hygienists $83,090 Registered Nurses $81,650 Mechanical Engineers $80,980 Police & Sheriff's Patrol Officers $79,790 Electricians $77,140 Carpenters $72,800 Elementary School Teachers $66,360 Accountants & Auditors $65,710 Heavy & Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers $56,980 Graphic Designers $49,440 Welders, Cutters & Solderers $46,720 Medical Assistants $41,550
Cities in the Rockford area
What your paycheck is really worth, city by city — cost of living, taxes,
housing and pay across 200 US metros and 3,220 towns.
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Estimates for guidance only — not financial or legal advice. Live/official data:
cost-of-living & grocery (BEA RPP); home price, rent, inventory, days-on-market (Zillow);
income & property tax (US Census ACS); electricity (US EIA); plant-hardiness (USDA);
crime (FBI UCR); local grocery, park, hiking, golf, shooting-range, lake & DMV
counts from Google Maps public listings.
Taxes (Tax Foundation) and insurance, emissions, permits, climate, wages and fuel use
sourced state/metro figures.
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