Normal, IL vs Rockford, IL

Rockford is moderately more affordable than Normal, with a 11% lower cost of living index. Normal scores 78 compared to 70 for Rockford, where the US average is 100. This difference means residents of Normal can expect to pay noticeably more for everyday expenses, housing, and services.

On the housing front, median rent in Normal is $974/month compared to $954/month in Rockford — a 2% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Rockford is more affordable at $120,900 median vs $199,900.

Median household income in Normal is $66,350 compared to $53,328 in Rockford (+24.4%). While Normal is more expensive, its higher salaries more than compensate — residents there may actually end up with more disposable income. Looking at affordability, residents of Normal spend roughly 17.6% of their income on rent, less than the 21.5% in Rockford.

Climate-wise, Normal is notably warmer with an average of 52.7°F compared to 49.4°F in Rockford. Normal receives more rainfall at 37.6" per year compared to 37.2" in Rockford.