Moving from Fargo, ND to Rockford, IL
The drive from Fargo, ND to Rockford, IL runs 574 mi β about 10h 36m on interstate, longer with stops. Long-range relocations typically bring real shifts in cost of living, housing prices, climate, and job market. Below, each of those layers is pulled from its source (BEA, Census, Zillow, BLS, NOAA) for a direct comparison.
574 mi Β· 10h 36m by car Β· IL β WI β MN β ND
Distance & route
| Route through | IL β WI β MN β ND |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 94, I 90, I 39 |
| Major cities en route | Madison, St Paul, Minneapolis |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Fargo | Rockford | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 90.871 | 92.154 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 77.324 | 89.378 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 95.654 | 93.643 | 100.0 |
| Services | 81.142 | 70.076 | 100.0 |
Cost-of-living overlap: BEA RPP for Fargo (90.871) and Rockford (92.154) are within a few points of each other.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Homes run dramatically cheaper in Rockford: 1.4% below Fargo on Zillow ZHVI (2026-03).
YoY change: Fargo +4.2%, Rockford +9.9%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Fargo | Rockford |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 41Β°F | 49Β°F |
| January avg low | -2Β°F | 15Β°F |
| July avg high | 82Β°F | 84Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | 37.1" |
| Annual precipitation | 24.4" | 37.2" |
Climate warms by 8.0Β°F on the annual average β 41.4Β°F β 49.4Β°F.
Heavy-snow city: expect 37.1 in of snowfall annually at Rockford.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: FARGO 3S, ND US, ROCKFORD GTR ROCKFORD AP, IL US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Fargo | Rockford |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 129,064 | 147,649 |
| Median household income | $66,029 | $53,328 |
| Median age | 32.2 | 37.5 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 29% | 14.9% |
| Avg household size | 2.2 | 2.4 |
Income steps down 1.4%: $66,029 in Fargo vs $53,328 in Rockford.
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 North Dakota 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 β state tax treatment depends on residency, sourcing, and reciprocity agreements.
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.
Winter driving along this route
- Winter storms can slow I-90 and I-94 across western Wisconsin β check 511wi.
- I-35 and I-94 across Minnesota can see short closures in winter storms β check MnDOT 511.
- I-29 and I-94 can close without notice in winter storms; travel bans are declared more than once most winters.
State DOT 511 phone or web services provide real-time road conditions year-round.
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.
- Register to vote in Illinois after establishing residency.
Frequently asked
How far is Rockford, IL from Fargo, ND?
The driving distance is 574 mi and the route typically takes 10h 36m via I 94 and I 90. The trip crosses 4 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Is Rockford more expensive than Fargo?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Rockford is 1.4% higher than Fargo (92.154 vs 90.871, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
When is the best time to move from Fargo to Rockford?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 574 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How does household income compare in Fargo vs Rockford?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $53,328 in Rockford vs $66,029 in Fargo β a 19.2% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How much do homes cost in Rockford compared to Fargo?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $177,225 in Rockford vs $314,973 in Fargo β a 43.7% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How does the job market in Rockford compare to Fargo?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $44,810 in the Rockford MSA vs $48,110 in the Fargo MSA, on total employment of 138,920 and 145,680 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Fargo.
City profiles: Fargo, ND Β· Rockford, IL.