Moving from Rockford, IL to Fargo, ND
A move from Rockford, IL to Fargo, ND covers 574 mi and around 10h 36m of driving through 4 state(s). At this range plan for a two- or three-day drive, a hauler or PODS container for household goods, and a noticeable shift in weather, tax jurisdiction, and housing market. The sections below pull the current BEA, Census, Zillow, BLS, and NOAA figures into one view.
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
| Rockford | Fargo | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 92.154 | 90.871 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 89.378 | 77.324 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 93.643 | 95.654 | 100.0 |
| Services | 70.076 | 81.142 | 100.0 |
Fargo and Rockford are close on the overall BEA RPP (92.154 vs 90.871); rent and services often drive the real difference.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Housing gap is large: Fargo typical home at $314,973 is 1.4% above Rockford at $177,225 (Zillow, 2026-03).
YoY change: Rockford +9.9%, Fargo +4.2%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Rockford | Fargo |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 49Β°F | 41Β°F |
| January avg low | 15Β°F | -2Β°F |
| July avg high | 84Β°F | 82Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | 37.1" | β |
| Annual precipitation | 37.2" | 24.4" |
Fargo is 8.0Β°F cooler on the annual average (49.4Β°F vs 41.4Β°F, NOAA 1991β2020).
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: ROCKFORD GTR ROCKFORD AP, IL US, FARGO 3S, ND US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Rockford | Fargo |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 147,649 | 129,064 |
| Median household income | $53,328 | $66,029 |
| Median age | 37.5 | 32.2 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 14.9% | 29% |
| Avg household size | 2.4 | 2.2 |
Median household income in Fargo is 1.4% above Rockford ($53,328 vs $66,029, ACS 5-year 2023).
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Fargo MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 17,060 | $45,140 |
| Transportation and Material Moving Occupations | 14,080 | $44,240 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 12,700 | $37,800 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 12,330 | $30,550 |
| Healthcare Practitioners and Technical Occupations | 10,860 | $73,380 |
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.
Moving between Illinois and North Dakota
State income-tax top marginal rates are from the Tax Foundation, updated annually. Check North Dakota'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.
Frequently asked
When is the best time to move from Rockford to Fargo?
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.
Is Fargo more expensive than Rockford?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Fargo is 1.4% lower than Rockford (90.871 vs 92.154, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How far is Fargo, ND from Rockford, IL?
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.
How does the job market in Fargo compare to Rockford?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $48,110 in the Fargo MSA vs $44,810 in the Rockford MSA, on total employment of 145,680 and 138,920 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How much do homes cost in Fargo compared to Rockford?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $314,973 in Fargo vs $177,225 in Rockford β a 77.7% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How does household income compare in Rockford vs Fargo?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $66,029 in Fargo vs $53,328 in Rockford β a 23.8% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Rockford.
City profiles: Rockford, IL Β· Fargo, ND.