Moving from Chicago, IL to Rockford, IL
Moving from Chicago, IL to Rockford, IL covers 86 mi and about 1h 53m by car through 1 state(s). That is far enough that housing, cost-of-living, climate, and job market can all move meaningfully β the sections below pull current figures from BEA, Zillow, the Census Bureau, BLS, and NOAA to map exactly where the differences fall.
86 mi Β· 1h 53m by car Β· IL
Distance & route
| Route through | IL |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 90, I 94, IL 72 |
| Major cities en route | Naperville, Aurora, Elgin |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Chicago | Rockford | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 103.595 | 92.154 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 83.581 | 89.378 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 107.258 | 93.643 | 100.0 |
| Services | 112.01 | 70.076 | 100.0 |
Overall prices in Rockford are 11.0% below Chicago β a mid-sized gap that shows up mostly in rent and services.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Housing gap is large: Rockford typical home at $177,225 is 11.0% under Chicago at $317,283 (Zillow, 2026-03).
YoY change: Chicago +2.8%, Rockford +9.9%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Chicago | Rockford |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 51Β°F | 49Β°F |
| January avg low | 20Β°F | 15Β°F |
| July avg high | 81Β°F | 84Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | 37.1" |
| Annual precipitation | β | 37.2" |
Climate is roughly comparable on the annual mean β 50.8Β°F vs 49.4Β°F per NOAA 1991β2020 normals.
Significant snow at the destination: Rockford sees 37.1 in a year on NOAA normals β budget for winter gear and plowing.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: CHICAGO NORTHERLY IS, IL US, ROCKFORD GTR ROCKFORD AP, IL US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Chicago | Rockford |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 2,707,648 | 147,649 |
| Median household income | $75,134 | $53,328 |
| Median age | 35.7 | 37.5 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 24.9% | 14.9% |
| Avg household size | 2.36 | 2.4 |
Median household income in Rockford is 11.0% below Chicago ($75,134 vs $53,328, ACS 5-year 2023).
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Rockford MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Production Occupations | 17,580 | $41,900 |
| Transportation and Material Moving Occupations | 16,500 | $41,140 |
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 15,320 | $41,130 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 12,130 | $30,050 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 11,300 | $34,130 |
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.
Best time to move
Moving companies typically charge 20β30% more between Memorial Day and Labor Day (peak season). October through April offers the lowest rates and better mover availability.
To avoid mid-semester school transfers, most U.S. families schedule moves between mid-June and mid-August. Public school calendars typically run late August or early September through late May or early June.
Packing & arrival checklist
- Winter gear first: Rockford averages 37.1 in of snow per year on NOAA normals β pack a heavy coat, boots, and consider snow tires or chains before the first storm.
- Arrange utility connection (power, internet, gas, water) two weeks ahead of move-in.
- Update mailing address with USPS change-of-address within the first week post-move.
Frequently asked
How much do homes cost in Rockford compared to Chicago?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $177,225 in Rockford vs $317,283 in Chicago β a 44.1% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How does household income compare in Chicago vs Rockford?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $53,328 in Rockford vs $75,134 in Chicago β a 29.0% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How far is Rockford, IL from Chicago, IL?
The driving distance is 86 mi and the route typically takes 1h 53m via I 90 and I 94. The trip crosses 1 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How does the job market in Rockford compare to Chicago?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $44,810 in the Rockford MSA vs $49,790 in the Chicago MSA, on total employment of 138,920 and 4,506,800 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
Is Rockford more expensive than Chicago?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Rockford is 11.0% lower than Chicago (92.154 vs 103.595, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
When is the best time to move from Chicago to Rockford?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 86 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Chicago.
City profiles: Chicago, IL Β· Rockford, IL.