Rockford, IL vs Springfield, IL

Rockford, IL and Springfield, IL have a very similar cost of living, with only a 3.7% difference in their overall index. Rockford scores 70 while Springfield scores 73 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 $954/month compared to $945/month in Springfield — a 1% difference. Interestingly, home values tell a different story: while Springfield has cheaper rent, Rockford actually has lower median home values ($120,900 vs $155,200).

Median household income in Rockford is $53,328 compared to $65,537 in Springfield (-18.6%). While Springfield is more expensive, its higher salaries more than compensate — residents there may actually end up with more disposable income. Looking at affordability, residents of Rockford spend roughly 21.5% of their income on rent, more than the 17.3% in Springfield.

Climate-wise, Springfield is notably warmer with an average of 54°F compared to 49.4°F in Rockford. Springfield receives more rainfall at 38" per year compared to 37.2" in Rockford.