Rockford, Illinois
Cost of living, housing, income, commute, climate, and safety — compiled for relocators researching Rockford.
MapsToIt planning snapshot
How much does it cost to live in Rockford?
For relocators asking how much Rockford costs: the housing index sits at 55 versus 100 nationally, with homes near $120,900 and rents near $954. Local median income is about $53,328 and unemployment recently ran 4.4% (U.S. 4.2%). Commutes average 20 minutes. Violent-offense rates run about 1174.2 per 100k (catalog avg 586.6).
Crime figures may use an older source vintage than housing and income on this page.
- Housing cost index
- 55U.S. avg 100
- Median home value
- $120,900U.S. $303,400
- Median rent
- $954U.S. $1,348
- Median income
- $53,328U.S. $78,538
- Unemployment
- 4.4%U.S. 4.2%
- Avg commute
- 20 minCatalog avg 25 min
- Violent crime
- 1174.2per 100k · avg 586.6
- Summer high
- 82°FCatalog avg 87°F
Key figures
Each metric shows how Rockford compares with the U.S. baseline (ACS/BLS nationals where available; catalog-city averages for crime, climate, and commute). Income, housing, population, and crime are for the incorporated city (city limits), not the broader metro/MSA — unemployment is county-level (BLS LAUS).
- Population
- 147,486City limits · Census PEP 2024 estimate
As of 2026-09-10 · Census PEP 2024 - Median household income
- $53,328Incorporated place (ACS)
As of 2026-09-10 · ACS 2023 5-year32% below U.S. avgU.S. $78,538 - Housing cost index
- 55ACS home+rent vs U.S. (100 = avg)
As of 2026-09-10 · ACS 2023 5-year45% below U.S. avgU.S. 100 - Median home value
- $120,900City limits (ACS)
As of 2026-09-10 · ACS 2023 5-year60% below U.S. avgU.S. $303,400 - Median rent
- $954City limits (ACS)
As of 2026-09-10 · ACS 2023 5-year29% below U.S. avgU.S. $1,348 - Unemployment
- 4.4%County LAUS · not city-only
As of 2026-09-10 · July 2026Near U.S. avg (4.2 pts)U.S. 4.2 pts - Avg commute
- 20 min20% below U.S. avgU.S. 25 min
- Walk Score
- 4011% below U.S. avgU.S. 45
- Violent crime rate
- 1174.2annualized per 100k · citywide
As of 2026-09-10 · 2019 offenses (FBI Table 8 fallback)100% above U.S. avgU.S. 586.6 - Property crime rate
- 3327annualized per 100k · citywide
As of 2026-09-10 · 2019 offenses (FBI Table 8 fallback)8% above U.S. avgU.S. 3087.9 - Summer high
- 82°FAs of 2026-09-10 · 1991–2020 NOAA normals5.0°F below U.S. avgU.S. 87°F
- Winter low
- 18°FAs of 2026-09-10 · 1991–2020 NOAA normals16.0°F below U.S. avgU.S. 34°F
- Annual rainfall
- 37.2 inAs of 2026-09-10 · 1991–2020 NOAA normals13% above U.S. avgU.S. 33 in
- Sunny days
- 244As of 2026-09-10 · 1991–2020 NOAA normals9% below U.S. avgU.S. 268
Population trend
Rockford declined 3.7% from 153,147 in 2010 to 147,486 in 2024.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau PEP city/town estimates (2010–2024). Playback steps monthly between annual Census PEP estimates.
Is Rockford expensive compared to the U.S. average?
Compared with the U.S. average, Rockford runs 45 points lower on MapsToIt's ACS housing index. Use that single number as a quick filter, then dig into home and rent cells for the budget you actually need.
- Housing cost index 55 (U.S. 100)
- Median home $120,900 vs U.S. $303,400
- Median rent $954 vs U.S. $1,348
How much does housing cost in Rockford?
Budget first around $954/month rent or $120,900 purchase prices — both are MapsToIt ACS medians, not listing ask averages. National ACS medians are $1,348 rent and $303,400 home value for context.
- Median home value $120,900
- Median rent $954/month
- Median household income $53,328
What is the job market like in Rockford?
Labor-market context for Rockford: unemployment 4.4% and median income $53,328. Those are BLS LAUS (county) and ACS figures — industry mix still matters more than the headline rate alone.
- Unemployment 4.4% (U.S. 4.2%)
- Median income $53,328
How long is the typical commute in Rockford?
Plan on roughly 20 minutes each way in Rockford. Walk Score estimates around 40 shape how car-dependent daily errands feel. Compare that with the 25-minute catalog average before you lock a neighborhood.
- 20 minutes average one-way
- Walk Score 40/100
Is Rockford safer than similar U.S. cities?
Rockford's FBI-derived violent rate (~1174.2/100k) sits at or above the average of mapped MapsToIt cities. Use the figure as a screening signal, then verify the blocks you would actually live on.
- Violent 1174.2 per 100k
- Property 3327 per 100k
What is the climate like year-round in Rockford?
Rockford's climate profile: 82°F summer peaks, 18°F winter mornings, 37.2" annual rainfall, and 244 sunny days — from the nearest NOAA normals station.
- Summer high 82°F
- Winter low 18°F
- 37.2 in rain · 244 sunny days
About 147,486 people live in Rockford, IL. Households here report a median income near $53,328; our housing-derived cost index is about 55 (among the more affordable large markets in this catalog on housing costs). Entry home prices around $120,900 still look attainable compared with coastal metros.
Great Lakes winters and a dense rail/road grid define regional mobility. Winter lows around 18°F mean heating costs and snow logistics belong on the checklist. Commutes average near 20 minutes one-way, with walkability near 40/100. BLS LAUS puts recent unemployment around 4.4% for the surrounding county. FBI CDE violent-offense rates run comparatively high (~1174.2 per 100k annualized), so block-by-block due diligence is especially important.
Rockford is compact enough that a single wrong neighborhood choice is easy to feel day to day — visit at commute hour before signing. Figures on this page are merged from Census ACS, BLS LAUS, FBI Crime Data Explorer, and NOAA Climate Normals — use them to compare Rockford with nearby alternatives before you relocate.
Nearby & similar cities
Continue researching with these internal links — each page is a full data profile.
Sources
- Census / ACS: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2023 5-year (Rockford city, 1600000US1765000) — As of 2026-09-10 · ACS 2023 5-year
- BLS: BLS LAUS · Winnebago County, July 2026 — As of 2026-09-10 · July 2026
- Crime: FBI CIUS Table 8 (2019) city offenses known to law enforcement — rates per 100k; CDE API unavailable at enrich time — As of 2026-09-10 · 2019 offenses (FBI Table 8 fallback)
- Climate: NOAA 1991–2020 Monthly Normals (USW00094822 ROCKFORD GTR ROCKFORD AP) — As of 2026-09-10 · 1991–2020 NOAA normals
- Population trend: U.S. Census Bureau PEP city/town estimates (2010–2024) — As of 2026-09-10 · Census PEP 2024
Catalog refreshed 2026-09-10