Moving from Rockford, IL to Green Bay, WI
It is a 212 mi drive, roughly 4h 8m, between Rockford, IL and Green Bay, WI. 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.
212 mi Β· 4h 8m by car Β· IL β WI
Distance & route
| Route through | IL β WI |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 43, WI 57, I 94 |
| Major cities en route | Milwaukee |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Rockford | Green Bay | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 92.154 | 93.086 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 89.378 | 90.041 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 93.643 | 93.787 | 100.0 |
| Services | 70.076 | 74.696 | 100.0 |
No material COL gap at the headline level β BEA RPP for both cities falls within 5% (2024).
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
1.0% jump on the typical home value β a meaningful shift in monthly mortgage math.
YoY change: Rockford +9.9%, Green Bay +5.9%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Rockford | Green Bay |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 49Β°F | 45Β°F |
| January avg low | 15Β°F | 9Β°F |
| July avg high | 84Β°F | 80Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | 37.1" | β |
| Annual precipitation | 37.2" | 32.4" |
No material annual-average temperature gap; seasonal extremes may still differ.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: ROCKFORD GTR ROCKFORD AP, IL US, GREEN BAY BOTANICAL, WI US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Rockford | Green Bay |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 147,649 | 106,585 |
| Median household income | $53,328 | $62,546 |
| Median age | 37.5 | 35.7 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 14.9% | 18.4% |
| Avg household size | 2.4 | 2.42 |
Households in Green Bay earn about 1.0% more at the median β ACS 5-year 2023.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Green Bay MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 21,540 | $44,720 |
| Production Occupations | 21,100 | $46,550 |
| Transportation and Material Moving Occupations | 17,340 | $44,580 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 15,060 | $36,480 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 14,500 | $28,870 |
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.
Moving between Illinois and Wisconsin
State income-tax top marginal rates are from the Tax Foundation, updated annually. Check Wisconsin'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.
State DOT 511 phone or web services provide real-time road conditions year-round.
Frequently asked
How does the job market in Green Bay compare to Rockford?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $47,410 in the Green Bay MSA vs $44,810 in the Rockford MSA, on total employment of 171,590 and 138,920 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How far is Green Bay, WI from Rockford, IL?
The driving distance is 212 mi and the route typically takes 4h 8m via I 43 and WI 57. The trip crosses 2 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How does household income compare in Rockford vs Green Bay?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $62,546 in Green Bay vs $53,328 in Rockford β a 17.3% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How much do homes cost in Green Bay compared to Rockford?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $278,024 in Green Bay vs $177,225 in Rockford β a 56.9% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
Is Green Bay more expensive than Rockford?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Green Bay is 1.0% higher than Rockford (93.086 vs 92.154, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
When is the best time to move from Rockford to Green Bay?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 212 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 Rockford.
City profiles: Rockford, IL Β· Green Bay, WI.