Moving from Rockford, IL to Minneapolis, MN
It is a 336 mi drive, roughly 6h 13m, between Rockford, IL and Minneapolis, MN. 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
| Rockford | Minneapolis | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 92.154 | 104.822 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 89.378 | 93.493 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 93.643 | 103.065 | 100.0 |
| Services | 70.076 | 111.838 | 100.0 |
Expect roughly 13.7% higher cost of living β rent and services usually drive most of a gap this size.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Expect roughly 13.7% higher home prices β ZHVI goes from $177,225 to $330,882 moving to Minneapolis.
YoY change: Rockford +9.9%, Minneapolis +1.4%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Rockford | Minneapolis |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 49Β°F | 46Β°F |
| January avg low | 15Β°F | 8Β°F |
| July avg high | 84Β°F | 83Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | 37.1" | β |
| Annual precipitation | 37.2" | 34.4" |
Annual average temperatures in Rockford (49.4Β°F) and Minneapolis (45.8Β°F) stay within 5Β°F of each other (NOAA normals).
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: ROCKFORD GTR ROCKFORD AP, IL US, LOWER ST ANTHONY FALLS, MN US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Rockford | Minneapolis |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 147,649 | 426,845 |
| Median household income | $53,328 | $80,269 |
| Median age | 37.5 | 33 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 14.9% | 32.7% |
| Avg household size | 2.4 | 2.26 |
Minneapolis households earn about 13.7% more than Rockford at the median β $53,328 β $80,269 on ACS 2023.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Minneapolis MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 233,400 | $49,210 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 158,540 | $40,720 |
| Business and Financial Operations Occupations | 154,580 | $81,780 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 153,950 | $31,400 |
| Transportation and Material Moving Occupations | 144,720 | $46,500 |
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.
Moving between Illinois and Minnesota
State income-tax top marginal rates are from the Tax Foundation, updated annually. Check Minnesota'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.
Frequently asked
Is Minneapolis more expensive than Rockford?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Minneapolis is 13.7% higher than Rockford (104.822 vs 92.154, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How much do homes cost in Minneapolis compared to Rockford?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $330,882 in Minneapolis vs $177,225 in Rockford β a 86.7% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How does household income compare in Rockford vs Minneapolis?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $80,269 in Minneapolis vs $53,328 in Rockford β a 50.5% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
When is the best time to move from Rockford to Minneapolis?
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 Minneapolis compare to Rockford?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $54,850 in the Minneapolis MSA vs $44,810 in the Rockford MSA, on total employment of 1,911,030 and 138,920 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How far is Minneapolis, MN from Rockford, IL?
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.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Rockford.
City profiles: Rockford, IL Β· Minneapolis, MN.