Rockford, IA vs Rockwell City, IA

Rockford, IA and Rockwell City, IA have a very similar cost of living, with only a 1% difference in their overall index. Rockford scores 63 while Rockwell City scores 63 on the cost of living index, where 100 represents the national average. The day-to-day expenses for residents in both cities are comparable, though differences emerge when looking at specific categories.

On the housing front, median rent in Rockford is $779/month compared to $797/month in Rockwell City — a 2% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Rockford is more affordable at $90,200 median vs $91,300.

Median household income in Rockford is $62,759 compared to $61,563 in Rockwell City (+1.9%). Rockford offers a double advantage: higher earnings combined with a lower cost of living, giving residents significantly more purchasing power. Looking at affordability, residents of Rockford spend roughly 14.9% of their income on rent, less than the 15.5% in Rockwell City.

Climate-wise, Rockwell City is notably warmer with an average of 48.6°F compared to 45.6°F in Rockford. Rockford receives more rainfall at 36.3" per year compared to 35.9" in Rockwell City.