Moving from Rockford, IL to Sioux Falls, SD
It is 502 mi between Rockford and Sioux Falls β roughly 9h 8m of driving, plus rest stops and overnight, through 4 state(s). A long-haul move crosses climate zones and usually state-income-tax lines. This page assembles the federal and Zillow data into a side-by-side comparison so the differences are easy to scan.
502 mi Β· 9h 8m by car Β· SD β MN β WI β IL
Distance & route
| Route through | SD β MN β WI β IL |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 90, I 39, US 20 BUSINESS |
| Major cities en route | Rochester, Madison |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Rockford | Sioux Falls | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 92.154 | 90.631 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 89.378 | 80.7 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 93.643 | 95.472 | 100.0 |
| Services | 70.076 | 77.605 | 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
1.7% jump on the typical home value β a meaningful shift in monthly mortgage math.
YoY change: Rockford +9.9%, Sioux Falls +1.5%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Rockford | Sioux Falls |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 49Β°F | 47Β°F |
| January avg low | 15Β°F | 7Β°F |
| July avg high | 84Β°F | 85Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | 37.1" | β |
| Annual precipitation | 37.2" | 28.3" |
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, SIOUX FALLS WFO AP, SD US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Rockford | Sioux Falls |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 147,649 | 197,642 |
| Median household income | $53,328 | $74,714 |
| Median age | 37.5 | 35.1 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 14.9% | 25.4% |
| Avg household size | 2.4 | 2.39 |
Sioux Falls households earn about 1.7% more than Rockford at the median β $53,328 β $74,714 on ACS 2023.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Sioux Falls MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 21,940 | $40,110 |
| Healthcare Practitioners and Technical Occupations | 16,710 | $67,030 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 16,250 | $37,490 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 14,420 | $29,640 |
| Transportation and Material Moving Occupations | 14,080 | $39,450 |
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.
Moving between Illinois and South Dakota
State income-tax top marginal rates are from the Tax Foundation, updated annually. Check South 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
- I-90 across western South Dakota can close in ground blizzards β check SD 511 November through April.
- 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
How does the job market in Sioux Falls compare to Rockford?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $45,440 in the Sioux Falls MSA vs $44,810 in the Rockford MSA, on total employment of 165,960 and 138,920 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
When is the best time to move from Rockford to Sioux Falls?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 502 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How far is Sioux Falls, SD from Rockford, IL?
The driving distance is 502 mi and the route typically takes 9h 8m via I 90 and I 39. The trip crosses 4 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Is Sioux Falls more expensive than Rockford?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Sioux Falls is 1.7% lower than Rockford (90.631 vs 92.154, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How does household income compare in Rockford vs Sioux Falls?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $74,714 in Sioux Falls vs $53,328 in Rockford β a 40.1% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How much do homes cost in Sioux Falls compared to Rockford?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $329,723 in Sioux Falls vs $177,225 in Rockford β a 86.0% 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 Β· Sioux Falls, SD.