Moving from Minneapolis, MN to Rockford, IL
It is a 336 mi drive, roughly 6h 13m, between Minneapolis, MN and Rockford, IL. At mid-range distance you typically see real gaps open up on cost of living, home values, and climate β not just scenery. This page assembles the comparison from federal data sources and Zillow Research for a single-page view of the move.
336 mi Β· 6h 13m by car Β· MN β WI β IL
Distance & route
| Route through | MN β WI β IL |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 94, MN 55, I 90 |
| Major cities en route | St Paul, Madison |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Minneapolis | Rockford | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 104.822 | 92.154 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 93.493 | 89.378 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 103.065 | 93.643 | 100.0 |
| Services | 111.838 | 70.076 | 100.0 |
Expect about 12.1% lower overall cost of living β BEA RPP 2024 has Rockford at 92.154 vs Minneapolis at 104.822.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Expect roughly 12.1% lower home prices β ZHVI goes from $330,882 to $177,225 moving to Rockford.
YoY change: Minneapolis +1.4%, Rockford +9.9%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Minneapolis | Rockford |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 46Β°F | 49Β°F |
| January avg low | 8Β°F | 15Β°F |
| July avg high | 83Β°F | 84Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | 37.1" |
| Annual precipitation | 34.4" | 37.2" |
Annual average temperatures in Minneapolis (45.8Β°F) and Rockford (49.4Β°F) stay within 5Β°F of each other (NOAA normals).
Rockford averages 37.1 in of annual snowfall on the NOAA 1991β2020 normals β a full winter setup (heavy coat, snow tires, chains) is worth unpacking first.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: LOWER ST ANTHONY FALLS, MN US, ROCKFORD GTR ROCKFORD AP, IL US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Minneapolis | Rockford |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 426,845 | 147,649 |
| Median household income | $80,269 | $53,328 |
| Median age | 33 | 37.5 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 32.7% | 14.9% |
| Avg household size | 2.26 | 2.4 |
Rockford households earn about 12.1% less than Minneapolis at the median β $80,269 β $53,328 on ACS 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.
Moving between Minnesota 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
- I-35 and I-94 across Minnesota can see short closures in winter storms β check MnDOT 511.
- Winter storms can slow I-90 and I-94 across western Wisconsin β check 511wi.
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 does household income compare in Minneapolis vs Rockford?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $53,328 in Rockford vs $80,269 in Minneapolis β a 33.6% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
Is Rockford more expensive than Minneapolis?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Rockford is 12.1% lower than Minneapolis (92.154 vs 104.822, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
When is the best time to move from Minneapolis to Rockford?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 336 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How does the job market in Rockford compare to Minneapolis?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $44,810 in the Rockford MSA vs $54,850 in the Minneapolis MSA, on total employment of 138,920 and 1,911,030 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How far is Rockford, IL from Minneapolis, MN?
The driving distance is 336 mi and the route typically takes 6h 13m via I 94 and MN 55. The trip crosses 3 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How much do homes cost in Rockford compared to Minneapolis?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $177,225 in Rockford vs $330,882 in Minneapolis β a 46.4% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Minneapolis.
City profiles: Minneapolis, MN Β· Rockford, IL.