MoveMap
Moving Guides/Rockford

Moving to Rockford

What you need to know before relocating to Rockford, Illinois. Data-driven insights on housing, jobs, safety, and quality of life.

Is Rockford a Good Place to Live?

Based on data across cost of living, job market, safety, and education, Rockford compares favorably on multiple dimensions. Highlights include rent ($991/mo) is below the national average; home prices ($169,500) are well below the us median; high school graduation rate of 92%.

Rockford at a Glance

Population
334K
Median Income
$66,960
Median Rent
$991/mo
Median Home Price
$169,500
Unemployment
6.2%
Avg Commute
140374 min

Cost of Living in Rockford

The median rent in Rockford is $991/month, while the median home value is $169,500. With a median household income of $66,960, residents spend roughly 18% of monthly income on rent.

Overall, the Rockford metro area is classified as affordable compared to other US metros.

Rent vs. National Avg
29% below
Home Price vs. National Avg
44% below

Job Market

Rockford has a median household income of $66,960, which is 10% below the national median. The local unemployment rate is 6.2%, compared to the national average of 3.7%.

Safety in Rockford

The violent crime rate in Rockford is 310 per 100,000 residents, which is 18% below the national average of 380.

Property crime rate: 1720 per 100,000 residents.

Education in Illinois

Illinois has a high school graduation rate of 92% and per-pupil spending of $21,829/year. The student-to-teacher ratio is 14:1.

39% of Illinois adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

Healthcare Access

Illinois has 295 physicians per 100,000 residents, a 7.2% uninsured rate, and 2.7 hospital beds per 1,000 people. Life expectancy in Illinois is 77.5 years.

Pros and Cons of Living in Rockford

+Pros

  • Rent ($991/mo) is below the national average
  • Home prices ($169,500) are well below the US median
  • High school graduation rate of 92%
  • Low uninsured rate (7.2%) and good healthcare access

-Cons

  • Unemployment rate (6.2%) is above the national average
  • Longer-than-average commute (140374 min)

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Rockford a good place to live?

Rockford, Illinois has several attributes that make it an attractive place to live, including rent ($991/mo) is below the national average and home prices ($169,500) are well below the us median. It scores well on multiple quality-of-life metrics relative to the national average.

What is the cost of living in Rockford?

The median rent in Rockford is $991/month and the median home value is $169,500. The median household income is $66,960. Overall the metro is considered affordable.

Is Rockford safe?

Rockford has a violent crime rate of 310 incidents per 100,000 residents. The national average is approximately 380 per 100,000.

What is the job market like in Rockford?

Rockford has an unemployment rate of 6.2%, compared to the national average of 3.7%. The median household income is $66,960.

Explore More About Rockford