Moving from Rockford, IL to Irving, TX
A move from Rockford, IL to Irving, TX covers 926 mi and around 17h 15m 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.
926 mi · 17h 15m by car · TX → OK → MO → IL
Distance & route
| Route through | TX → OK → MO → IL |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 44, US 69, I 55 |
| Major cities en route | Fort Worth, Arlington, Grand Prairie, Denton, Lewisville |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Rockford | Irving | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 92.154 | 103.09 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 89.378 | 90.711 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 93.643 | 102.838 | 100.0 |
| Services | 70.076 | 117.874 | 100.0 |
BEA RPP moves from 92.154 in Rockford to 103.09 in Irving, a 11.9% bump on the overall price level.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level · MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Homes run dramatically pricier in Irving: 11.9% above Rockford on Zillow ZHVI (2026-03).
YoY change: Rockford +9.9%, Irving -2.6%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | Rockford | Irving |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 49°F | 67°F |
| January avg low | 15°F | 36°F |
| July avg high | 84°F | 96°F |
| Annual snowfall | 37.1" | 1.6" |
| Annual precipitation | 37.2" | 37.0" |
Major climate step-up: 17.2°F warmer annual average in Irving vs Rockford.
Light snow year: Irving gets around 1.6 in annually.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 (stations: ROCKFORD GTR ROCKFORD AP, IL US, DALLAS FT WORTH AP, TX US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Rockford | Irving |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 147,649 | 255,036 |
| Median household income | $53,328 | $79,641 |
| Median age | 37.5 | 32.8 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 14.9% | 24.8% |
| Avg household size | 2.4 | 2.71 |
Median household income in Irving is 11.9% above Rockford ($53,328 vs $79,641, ACS 5-year 2023).
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Irving MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 523,660 | $44,430 |
| Transportation and Material Moving Occupations | 412,270 | $39,950 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 368,400 | $36,710 |
| Management Occupations | 350,940 | $117,410 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 341,240 | $29,000 |
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.
Moving between Illinois and Texas
State income-tax top marginal rates are from the Tax Foundation, updated annually. Check Texas'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 — state tax treatment depends on residency, sourcing, and reciprocity agreements.
Best time to move
Moving companies typically charge 20–30% 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.
Packing & arrival checklist
- Air conditioning matters: July highs in Irving average 96°F on NOAA normals. If the new place has window-unit or no AC, plan that purchase for the first week.
- You are moving to a noticeably warmer climate (17.2°F higher annual average). Keep summer clothing accessible and consider donating or storing heavy winter gear.
- Coastal Texas sees hurricanes June through November; inland areas face severe thunderstorms and occasional tornadoes in spring.
- 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 Texas after establishing residency.
Frequently asked
Is Irving more expensive than Rockford?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Irving is 11.9% higher than Rockford (103.09 vs 92.154, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How far is Irving, TX from Rockford, IL?
The driving distance is 926 mi and the route typically takes 17h 15m via I 44 and US 69. The trip crosses 4 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How does the job market in Irving compare to Rockford?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $48,440 in the Irving MSA vs $44,810 in the Rockford MSA, on total employment of 3,966,500 and 138,920 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
What is the climate difference between Rockford and Irving?
On NOAA 1991–2020 normals, annual average temperature is 66.6°F in Irving vs 49.4°F in Rockford (17.2°F warmer). Annual snowfall: 1.6 in vs 37.1 in. Annual precipitation: 37.0 in vs 37.2 in.
When is the best time to move from Rockford to Irving?
Moving companies usually charge 20–30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 926 mi drive, weather on the route matters too — see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How does household income compare in Rockford vs Irving?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $79,641 in Irving vs $53,328 in Rockford — a 49.3% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How much do homes cost in Irving compared to Rockford?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $341,503 in Irving vs $177,225 in Rockford — a 92.7% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Rockford.
City profiles: Rockford, IL · Irving, TX.