Moving from Rockford, IL to Toledo, OH
It is a 323 mi drive, roughly 6h 19m, between Rockford, IL and Toledo, OH. 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.
323 mi Β· 6h 19m by car Β· OH β IN β IL
Distance & route
| Route through | OH β IN β IL |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 90, I 80, I 94 |
| Major cities en route | South Bend, Chicago, Naperville, Elgin, Aurora |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Rockford | Toledo | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 92.154 | 91.455 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 89.378 | 96.285 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 93.643 | 93.628 | 100.0 |
| Services | 70.076 | 67.317 | 100.0 |
Rockford and Toledo sit within 5% on the overall BEA RPP β the composite diff is small, but rent or groceries alone may move more.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Zillow ZHVI drops from $177,225 in Rockford to $129,627 in Toledo, a 0.8% decrease on the typical home value.
YoY change: Rockford +9.9%, Toledo +5.4%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Rockford | Toledo |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 49Β°F | 51Β°F |
| January avg low | 15Β°F | 20Β°F |
| July avg high | 84Β°F | 85Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | 37.1" | β |
| Annual precipitation | 37.2" | 32.4" |
Climate is roughly comparable on the annual mean β 49.4Β°F vs 51.4Β°F per NOAA 1991β2020 normals.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: ROCKFORD GTR ROCKFORD AP, IL US, TOLEDO METCALF FLD, OH US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Rockford | Toledo |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 147,649 | 268,461 |
| Median household income | $53,328 | $47,532 |
| Median age | 37.5 | 35.7 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 14.9% | 13.7% |
| Avg household size | 2.4 | 2.27 |
Households in Toledo earn about 0.8% less at the median β ACS 5-year 2023.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Toledo MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Transportation and Material Moving Occupations | 33,160 | $39,900 |
| Production Occupations | 31,420 | $45,220 |
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 30,850 | $41,570 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 27,870 | $28,590 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 22,710 | $32,930 |
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.
Moving between Illinois and Ohio
State income-tax top marginal rates are from the Tax Foundation, updated annually. Check Ohio'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.
Frequently asked
When is the best time to move from Rockford to Toledo?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 323 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How far is Toledo, OH from Rockford, IL?
The driving distance is 323 mi and the route typically takes 6h 19m via I 90 and I 80. The trip crosses 3 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Is Toledo more expensive than Rockford?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Toledo is 0.8% lower than Rockford (91.455 vs 92.154, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How much do homes cost in Toledo compared to Rockford?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $129,627 in Toledo vs $177,225 in Rockford β a 26.9% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How does the job market in Toledo compare to Rockford?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $45,740 in the Toledo MSA vs $44,810 in the Rockford MSA, on total employment of 290,070 and 138,920 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How does household income compare in Rockford vs Toledo?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $47,532 in Toledo vs $53,328 in Rockford β a 10.9% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Rockford.
City profiles: Rockford, IL Β· Toledo, OH.