Moving from Des Moines, IA to Rockford, IL
Relocating between Des Moines, IA and Rockford, IL is a 286 mi drive — 5h 21m on open road, longer with stops. A move of this length usually shifts more than the commute: BEA RPP, Zillow ZHVI, and Census household stats can all diverge. This comparison assembles them from the current federal releases.
286 mi · 5h 21m by car · IA → IL
Distance & route
| Route through | IA → IL |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 80, I 88, IL 92 |
| Major cities en route | Cedar Rapids |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Des Moines | Rockford | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 91.701 | 92.154 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 84.585 | 89.378 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 93.73 | 93.643 | 100.0 |
| Services | 84.741 | 70.076 | 100.0 |
Des Moines and Rockford sit within 5% on the overall BEA RPP — the composite diff is small, but rent or groceries alone may move more.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level · MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Homes in Rockford run about 0.5% cheaper — ZHVI $208,166 → $177,225 (2026-03).
YoY change: Des Moines +0.8%, Rockford +9.9%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | Des Moines | Rockford |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 51°F | 49°F |
| January avg low | 14°F | 15°F |
| July avg high | 86°F | 84°F |
| Annual snowfall | 36.5" | 37.1" |
| Annual precipitation | 36.6" | 37.2" |
Climate is roughly comparable on the annual mean — 50.9°F vs 49.4°F per NOAA 1991–2020 normals.
Significant snow at the destination: Rockford sees 37.1 in a year on NOAA normals — budget for winter gear and plowing.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 (stations: DES MOINES INTL AP, IA US, ROCKFORD GTR ROCKFORD AP, IL US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Des Moines | Rockford |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 212,464 | 147,649 |
| Median household income | $63,966 | $53,328 |
| Median age | 34.6 | 37.5 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 19.9% | 14.9% |
| Avg household size | 2.36 | 2.4 |
ACS 2023 shows median household income 0.5% lower in Rockford than Des Moines.
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.
Moving between Iowa and Illinois
State income-tax top marginal rates are from the Tax Foundation, updated annually. Check Illinois's DMV for the current deadline to transfer driver license and vehicle registration after establishing residency. Consult a tax professional for your specific filing situation — state tax treatment depends on residency, sourcing, and reciprocity agreements.
Best time to move
Moving companies typically charge 20–30% 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 — 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.
- Register to vote in Illinois after establishing residency.
Frequently asked
How does household income compare in Des Moines vs Rockford?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $53,328 in Rockford vs $63,966 in Des Moines — a 16.6% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How does the job market in Rockford compare to Des Moines?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $44,810 in the Rockford MSA vs $49,550 in the Des Moines MSA, on total employment of 138,920 and 383,190 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
What is the climate difference between Des Moines and Rockford?
On NOAA 1991–2020 normals, annual average temperature is 49.4°F in Rockford vs 50.9°F in Des Moines (1.5°F colder). Annual snowfall: 37.1 in vs 36.5 in. Annual precipitation: 37.2 in vs 36.6 in.
How much do homes cost in Rockford compared to Des Moines?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $177,225 in Rockford vs $208,166 in Des Moines — a 14.9% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
When is the best time to move from Des Moines to Rockford?
Moving companies usually charge 20–30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 286 mi drive, weather on the route matters too — see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
Is Rockford more expensive than Des Moines?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Rockford is 0.5% higher than Des Moines (92.154 vs 91.701, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How far is Rockford, IL from Des Moines, IA?
The driving distance is 286 mi and the route typically takes 5h 21m via I 80 and I 88. The trip crosses 2 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Des Moines.
City profiles: Des Moines, IA · Rockford, IL.