salaryRent is lower than in 88% of U.S. cities. A typical house costs under 3 years of household income, which is easy by U.S. standards. Commutes are short, about 19.3 minutes.
How much money do I need?
To rent here comfortably, you should earn about $39,760 a year. That is $19 an hour at a full-time job.
Is rent cheaper than other Illinois cities?
Yes. Rent here is cheaper than in most of Illinois. It is number 53 of 334 cities from cheapest to most expensive.
How much do households earn in Rock Island?
Share of households by yearly income. 15.7% of households earn $100,000 or more.
Rent by apartment size in Rock Island
| Size | Rock Island | U.S. average |
|---|---|---|
| Studio | $813 | $1,338 |
| 1 bedroom | $649 | $1,324 |
| 2 bedrooms | $994 | $1,509 |
| 3 bedrooms | $1,301 | $1,698 |
| 4 bedrooms | $1,616 | $2,098 |
Median monthly rent plus utilities for all renters, by number of bedrooms.
How expensive is Rock Island overall?
Everyday prices in the Davenport-Moline-Rock Island metro area are 11% below the U.S. average (index 89.1, U.S. = 100).
Source: U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, Regional Price Parities 2024.
Taxes and bills in Rock Island
Life in Rock Island
What jobs pay in Rock Island
| Job | Median pay | Rent / pay |
|---|---|---|
| Pharmacist | $140,550 | 8.5% |
| Physician Assistant | $137,420 | 8.7% |
| Nurse Practitioner | $130,400 | 9.1% |
| Lawyer | $124,850 | 9.6% |
| Software Developer | $115,780 | 10.3% |
| Civil Engineer | $92,950 | 12.8% |
| Operations Manager | $91,140 | 13.1% |
| Computer Systems Analyst | $89,500 | 13.3% |
| Dental Hygienist | $82,000 | 14.5% |
| Accountant | $77,600 | 15.4% |
| Registered Nurse | $77,150 | 15.5% |
| Electrician | $76,950 | 15.5% |
| Plumber | $76,310 | 15.6% |
| Market Research Analyst | $71,590 | 16.7% |
| Police Officer | $68,550 | 17.4% |
| HVAC Technician | $65,190 | 18.3% |
| Licensed Practical Nurse | $64,100 | 18.6% |
| Elementary School Teacher | $61,650 | 19.3% |
| Carpenter | $60,440 | 19.7% |
| Firefighter | $60,080 | 19.9% |
| Truck Driver | $58,280 | 20.5% |
| Medical Assistant | $44,700 | 26.7% |
| Warehouse Worker | $42,980 | 27.8% |
| Customer Service Representative | $39,950 | 29.9% |
| Nursing Assistant | $38,740 | 30.8% |
| Restaurant Cook | $35,480 | 33.6% |
| Retail Salesperson | $32,030 | 37.2% |
| Cashier | $31,200 | 38.2% |
| Server (Waiter/Waitress) | $31,200 | 38.2% |
Is it cheaper to rent or buy in Rock Island?
Buying is cheaper month to month: about $120 a month less than renting.
Owning assumes a typical $125,900 home, 10% down, a 30-year loan at 6.5% and about 1.5% a year for taxes and insurance. You would also need $12,590 for the down payment.
Frequently asked questions
What is the average rent in Rock Island, IL?
Renting in Rock Island costs a median of about $994 a month in 2026, including utilities. The Illinois median is $1,517.
How much do I need to make to live in Rock Island?
To keep rent under 30% of income, you need about $39,760 a year, or $19 an hour at a full-time job.
Is Rock Island cheap or expensive?
Rock Island is rated Cheap: rent takes 18.7% of the typical household income of $63,676. It ranks 53rd cheapest of 334 Illinois cities we track.
How much are property taxes in Rock Island?
The median homeowner in Rock Island pays $2,979 a year in property taxes, about 2.37% of the median home value.
Is Rock Island more expensive than the national average?
Overall prices in the metro area are 11% below the U.S. average, according to the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis.
How much does a house cost in Rock Island?
The median home value in Rock Island is $125,900, about 2.0 times the typical yearly household income.
36,151 people live in Rock Island. Numbers are typical (middle) values.