Moving from Rockford, IL to Hillsboro, OR
Cross-country relocations like Rockford, IL β Hillsboro, OR cover 2085 mi and about 36h 5m of driving through 8 states. Expect a multi-day trip and a meaningful change in climate, cost-of-living, and job market. The sections below compare each data layer directly from BEA, Census, Zillow, BLS, and NOAA.
2085 mi Β· 36h 5m by car Β· IL β IA β NE β WY β UT β ID β OR β WA
Distance & route
| Route through | IL β IA β NE β WY β UT β ID β OR β WA |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 80, I 84, I 80 EXPRESS |
| Major cities en route | Cedar Rapids, Des Moines, Omaha, Lincoln, Salt Lake City |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Rockford | Hillsboro | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 92.154 | 105.421 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 89.378 | 106.974 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 93.643 | 105.222 | 100.0 |
| Services | 70.076 | 125.114 | 100.0 |
Moderate COL step-up: 14.4% pricier overall in Hillsboro than Rockford on the 2024 BEA RPP.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Housing gap is large: Hillsboro typical home at $522,557 is 14.4% above Rockford at $177,225 (Zillow, 2026-03).
YoY change: Rockford +9.9%, Hillsboro -3.7%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Rockford | Hillsboro |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 49Β°F | 53Β°F |
| January avg low | 15Β°F | 34Β°F |
| July avg high | 84Β°F | 82Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | 37.1" | β |
| Annual precipitation | 37.2" | 35.9" |
Climate is roughly comparable on the annual mean β 49.4Β°F vs 52.5Β°F per NOAA 1991β2020 normals.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: ROCKFORD GTR ROCKFORD AP, IL US, PORTLAND-HILLSBORO AP, OR US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Rockford | Hillsboro |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 147,649 | 107,050 |
| Median household income | $53,328 | $103,207 |
| Median age | 37.5 | 34.8 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 14.9% | 23.6% |
| Avg household size | 2.4 | 2.59 |
Income gap is large: median household income climbs 14.4% between Rockford and Hillsboro (ACS 2023).
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Hillsboro MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 141,870 | $47,870 |
| Transportation and Material Moving Occupations | 104,880 | $44,260 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 99,580 | $34,860 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 96,250 | $41,260 |
| Business and Financial Operations Occupations | 92,520 | $79,400 |
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.
Moving between Illinois and Oregon
State income-tax top marginal rates are from the Tax Foundation, updated annually. Check Oregon'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-80 across southern Wyoming frequently closes in winter storms November through April β check WYDOT 511 before departure.
- I-80 through Parleys Canyon and I-70 through the San Rafael Swell see winter closures; I-15 north of Salt Lake can slow in storms.
- Lookout Pass (I-90) and Galena Summit (SH-75) require winter tires or chains during storms.
- Cascade passes on I-84 and OR-58 can require chains or close entirely during winter storms.
- Snoqualmie Pass on I-90 and White Pass on US-12 see frequent chain requirements December through March β check WSDOT mountain passes report.
State DOT 511 phone or web services provide real-time road conditions year-round.
Packing & arrival checklist
- Wildfire season peaks July through September east of the Cascades β register for county emergency alerts.
- 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 Oregon after establishing residency.
Frequently asked
Is Hillsboro more expensive than Rockford?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Hillsboro is 14.4% higher than Rockford (105.421 vs 92.154, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How does household income compare in Rockford vs Hillsboro?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $103,207 in Hillsboro vs $53,328 in Rockford β a 93.5% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How does the job market in Hillsboro compare to Rockford?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $55,940 in the Hillsboro MSA vs $44,810 in the Rockford MSA, on total employment of 1,206,150 and 138,920 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How much do homes cost in Hillsboro compared to Rockford?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $522,557 in Hillsboro vs $177,225 in Rockford β a 194.9% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How far is Hillsboro, OR from Rockford, IL?
The driving distance is 2085 mi and the route typically takes 36h 5m via I 80 and I 84. The trip crosses 8 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
When is the best time to move from Rockford to Hillsboro?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 2085 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· Hillsboro, OR.