salaryRockford is the 5th-largest city in Illinois that we track, with 147,521 residents. Rent is lower than in 75% of U.S. cities. A typical house costs under 3 years of household income, which is easy by U.S. standards.
How much money do I need?
To rent here comfortably, you should earn about $48,720 a year. That is $23 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 96 of 334 cities from cheapest to most expensive.
How much do households earn in Rockford?
Share of households by yearly income. 15.2% of households earn $100,000 or more.
Rent by apartment size in Rockford
| Size | Rockford | U.S. average |
|---|---|---|
| Studio | $908 | $1,338 |
| 1 bedroom | $802 | $1,324 |
| 2 bedrooms | $1,110 | $1,509 |
| 3 bedrooms | $1,314 | $1,698 |
| 4 bedrooms | $1,401 | $2,098 |
Median monthly rent plus utilities for all renters, by number of bedrooms.
How expensive is Rockford overall?
Everyday prices in the Rockford metro area are 8% below the U.S. average (index 92.2, U.S. = 100).
Source: U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, Regional Price Parities 2024.
Taxes and bills in Rockford
Life in Rockford
What jobs pay in Rockford
| Job | Median pay | Rent / pay |
|---|---|---|
| Pharmacist | $134,190 | 10.9% |
| Physician Assistant | $127,800 | 11.4% |
| Nurse Practitioner | $127,720 | 11.4% |
| Software Developer | $107,640 | 13.6% |
| Lawyer | $103,190 | 14.2% |
| Operations Manager | $98,390 | 14.9% |
| Computer Systems Analyst | $95,430 | 15.3% |
| Civil Engineer | $94,850 | 15.4% |
| Plumber | $94,230 | 15.5% |
| Electrician | $93,280 | 15.7% |
| Dental Hygienist | $86,120 | 17.0% |
| Registered Nurse | $80,930 | 18.1% |
| Police Officer | $78,510 | 18.6% |
| Firefighter | $77,150 | 18.9% |
| Accountant | $75,260 | 19.4% |
| HVAC Technician | $75,070 | 19.5% |
| Carpenter | $72,770 | 20.1% |
| Licensed Practical Nurse | $70,090 | 20.9% |
| Elementary School Teacher | $64,200 | 22.8% |
| Market Research Analyst | $61,810 | 23.6% |
| Truck Driver | $59,900 | 24.4% |
| Medical Assistant | $44,390 | 32.9% |
| Warehouse Worker | $44,200 | 33.1% |
| Customer Service Representative | $43,260 | 33.8% |
| Nursing Assistant | $40,140 | 36.4% |
| Restaurant Cook | $36,200 | 40.4% |
| Retail Salesperson | $33,540 | 43.6% |
| Cashier | $31,680 | 46.1% |
| Server (Waiter/Waitress) | $31,200 | 46.8% |
Is it cheaper to rent or buy in Rockford?
Buying is cheaper month to month: about $323 a month less than renting.
Owning assumes a typical $129,000 home, 10% down, a 30-year loan at 6.5% and about 1.5% a year for taxes and insurance. You would also need $12,900 for the down payment.
Frequently asked questions
What is the average rent in Rockford, IL?
Renting in Rockford costs a median of about $1,218 a month in 2026, including utilities. The Illinois median is $1,517.
How much do I need to make to live in Rockford?
To keep rent under 30% of income, you need about $48,720 a year, or $23 an hour at a full-time job.
Is Rockford cheap or expensive?
Rockford is rated OK: rent takes 24.8% of the typical household income of $59,050. It ranks 96th cheapest of 334 Illinois cities we track.
How much are property taxes in Rockford?
The median homeowner in Rockford pays $3,330 a year in property taxes, about 2.58% of the median home value.
Is Rockford more expensive than the national average?
Overall prices in the metro area are 8% below the U.S. average, according to the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis.
How much does a house cost in Rockford?
The median home value in Rockford is $129,000, about 2.2 times the typical yearly household income.
147,521 people live in Rockford. Numbers are typical (middle) values.