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Rockford, IL

Cost of living in Rockford, Illinois

Winnebago County, IL

Part of the Rockford Metro Area

Estimated monthly cost
$2,920/mo
for a single person, all categories combined

Population 283,289 · Last updated May 21, 2026

Cost breakdown

Single person, by category, per month.

Rent $900 31%
Federal tax $484 17%
Healthcare $480 16%
Groceries $345 12%
Transport $320 11%
Energy $177 6%
State tax $164 6%
Water $50 2%

Rent in Rockford

Fair Market Rents by bedroom count.

Studio
$810
per month
1 bedroom
$900
per month
2 bedroom
$1,181
per month
3 bedroom
$1,561
per month
4 bedroom
$1,603
per month

Source: HUD FMR FY2025

Income and earnings in Rockford

Annual earnings figures from the Census ACS.

Household income
$64,363
per year
Individual earnings
$39,644
per year
Per capita
$34,775
per year

Source: ACS 2019-2023 5-Year.

Home values in Rockford

Average values reported by homeowners.

Average home value
$155,100
Annual property tax
$3,850

Source: ACS 2019-2023 5-Year

Energy costs in Rockford

Estimated monthly electricity and gas costs.

Electricity
$116
per month · 16.5¢/kWh
Natural gas
$61
per month
Annual total
$2,124
per year

Source: EIA

Healthcare in Rockford

Insurance premiums and coverage rates.

Individual premium
$480
per month
Family premium
$1,350
per month
Uninsured rate
6.1%

Source: ACS + national avg. Marketplace benchmark premiums are second-lowest Silver plan estimates and do not reflect employer plans, subsidies, or out-of-pocket costs. This is not healthcare advice.

Taxes in Rockford

State and local tax rates for Illinois.

State income tax
5.0%
Flat rate
State sales tax
6.3%
Combined sales tax
8.8%
incl. average local

Tax rates change. Consult a qualified tax professional for advice on your specific situation. This is not tax advice.

Transportation in Rockford

Commute patterns and estimated costs.

Average commute
22.9 min
Drive alone
78.9%
Public transit
0.6%
Work from home
8.3%

Source: ACS

Monthly cost estimates for Rockford

What it costs to live in Rockford each month.

Single person
$2,920
per month
  • Rent $900
  • Energy $177
  • Water $50
  • Groceries $345
  • Transport $320
  • Healthcare $480
  • Federal tax $484
  • State tax $164
Couple
$4,297
per month
  • Rent $1,181
  • Energy $212
  • Water $60
  • Groceries $572
  • Transport $420
  • Healthcare $864
  • Federal tax $723
  • State tax $265
Family
$6,822
per month
  • Rent $1,561
  • Energy $266
  • Water $70
  • Groceries $867
  • Transport $520
  • Healthcare $1,350
  • Childcare $1,200
  • Federal tax $723
  • State tax $265

Frequently asked questions about Rockford

Common questions about cost of living, rent and salary.

What is the average rent in Rockford?

In Rockford, Illinois, a one-bedroom apartment averages $900 per month, a two-bedroom averages $1,181 per month, a three-bedroom averages $1,561 per month, according to HUD Fair Market Rent data.

What is the average salary in Rockford?

In Rockford, Illinois, the average household income is $64,363 per year and individual earnings for full-time workers average $39,644 per year, according to U.S. Census Bureau data.

What is the cost of living in Rockford?

The estimated cost of living in Rockford, Illinois is approximately $2,920 per month for a single person, $4,297 for a couple, $6,822 for a family. This includes rent, utilities, groceries, transportation, healthcare, and taxes.

What is the sales tax rate in Rockford?

The combined sales tax rate in Rockford, Illinois is 8.82%, which includes the Illinois state rate of 6.25% plus an average local rate of 2.57%.

Is Rockford an affordable place to live?

Based on the data, a single person in Rockford, Illinois would need approximately $2,920 per month to cover rent, utilities, food, transport, healthcare, and taxes. The average household income is $64,363 per year ($5,364 per month). Rockford has a moderate cost of living relative to local earnings.

How much does healthcare cost in Rockford?

The ACA marketplace benchmark premium in Rockford, Illinois is approximately $480 per month for an individual. Approximately 6.1% of residents are uninsured. Actual costs vary based on employer coverage, plan type, and individual circumstances.

What are house prices in Rockford?

The average home value in Rockford, Illinois is $155,100, with average annual property taxes of $3,850, according to U.S. Census Bureau data.

How does Rockford compare to other areas?

You can compare Rockford, Illinois with any other US county using our comparison tool at /compare. Rockford is in the Rockford, IL metro area.

Other counties in Illinois

Browse the full list of counties in Illinois, ranked by cost of living.

See all counties in Illinois

Compare Rockford with another area

Put two counties side by side to see how rent, taxes and everyday costs stack up.

About this data

All figures on this page come from official U.S. government sources, listed below.

  • HUD FMR FY2025
  • ACS 2019-2023 5-Year
  • EIA
  • ACS + national avg
  • ACS
  • USDA + BEA RPP
Methodology All data sources