Moving from Rockford, IL to St. Paul, MN
Moving from Rockford, IL to St. Paul, MN covers 328 mi and about 6h 3m by car through 3 state(s). That is far enough that housing, cost-of-living, climate, and job market can all move meaningfully β the sections below pull current figures from BEA, Zillow, the Census Bureau, BLS, and NOAA to map exactly where the differences fall.
328 mi Β· 6h 3m by car Β· MN β WI β IL
Distance & route
| Route through | MN β WI β IL |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 94, I 39, I 90 |
| Major cities en route | Minneapolis, Madison |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Rockford | St. Paul | 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 |
Overall cost of living in St. Paul is 13.7% higher than Rockford, per BEA Regional Price Parities (2024).
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
YoY change: Rockford +9.9%, St. Paul β. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Rockford | St. Paul |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 49Β°F | 47Β°F |
| January avg low | 15Β°F | 9Β°F |
| July avg high | 84Β°F | 83Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | 37.1" | β |
| Annual precipitation | 37.2" | 29.2" |
Annual average temperatures in Rockford (49.4Β°F) and St. Paul (46.5Β°F) stay within 5Β°F of each other (NOAA normals).
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: ROCKFORD GTR ROCKFORD AP, IL US, ST PAUL DOWNTOWN AP, MN US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Rockford | St. Paul |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 147,649 | 307,762 |
| Median household income | $53,328 | $73,055 |
| Median age | 37.5 | 33.5 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 14.9% | 25.2% |
| Avg household size | 2.4 | 2.5 |
Median household income in St. Paul is 13.7% above Rockford ($53,328 vs $73,055, ACS 5-year 2023).
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in St. Paul 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
How does household income compare in Rockford vs St. Paul?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $73,055 in St. Paul vs $53,328 in Rockford β a 37.0% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How does the job market in St. Paul compare to Rockford?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $54,850 in the St. Paul 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.
Is St. Paul more expensive than Rockford?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in St. Paul is 13.7% higher than Rockford (104.822 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 St. Paul?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 328 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How far is St. Paul, MN from Rockford, IL?
The driving distance is 328 mi and the route typically takes 6h 3m via I 94 and I 39. 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· St. Paul, MN.