City Comparison
Champaign vs Rockford
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Champaign scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Champaign
Rockford
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Rockford is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
14% lower than in Champaign.
Housing costs are a major driver: Champaign's average rent is
32% higher than Rockford's.
| Metric | Champaign | Rockford | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $1,250 | $950 | +32% |
| Groceries | $380 | $380 | 0% |
| Utilities | $170 | $175 | -3% |
| Transport | $110 | $110 | 0% |
| Healthcare | $230 | $230 | 0% |
| Monthly Total | $2,140 | $1,845 | +16% |
| Cost Index | 93 | 85 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Champaign offers 10% higher average salaries.
However, when adjusted for local cost of living, Champaign delivers stronger purchasing power —
meaning your dollar stretches further day-to-day.
The minimum comfortable salary in Champaign is estimated at
$52,000 vs $48,000 in Rockford.
| Metric | Champaign | Rockford |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $64,000 | $58,000 |
| Salary Needed | $52,000 | $48,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 68,817 idx | 68,235 idx |
| Household Income | $61,200 | $55,500 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Both cities share a similar average temperature, within 3.7°F of each other.
Winter severity differs too — Rockford sees 5.6 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | Champaign | Rockford |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 54.10°F | 50.40°F |
| Summer High | 83.80°F | 81.80°F |
| Winter Low | 19.90°F | 15.30°F |
| Rainfall | 28.60 in | 29.10 in |
| Snowfall | 18.80 in | 24.40 in |
| Sunny Days | 265 | 262 |
| Humidity | 68.00% | 68.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Champaign has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
1,500 minutes (25 hours) per year compared to Rockford.
Champaign scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
For walkability, Champaign leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Champaign | Rockford |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 18 min | 21 min |
| Transit Score | 58.0/100 | 38.0/100 |
| Walkability | 52.0/100 | 42.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 36.00 | 35.00 |
| Car Dependency | Medium | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Rockford is the larger city
— approximately 0.6x the population of Champaign.
From a growth perspective, Champaign is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services.
On the employment side, Champaign has a lower unemployment rate, reflecting a tighter and more competitive job market.
| Metric | Champaign | Rockford |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 88,302 | 148,655 |
| Pop. Growth | 0.80% | — |
| Median Age | 27.5 | 37.5 |
| Unemployment | 4.10% | 5.20% |
| GDP | — | — |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Champaign
Advantages
Median home prices remain below the national average per 2024 Zillow data, offering accessible homeownership.
World-class healthcare infrastructure anchored by Carle Foundation Hospital and OSF HealthCare.
An award-winning mass transit system (MTD) providing reliable public transportation across the metro area.
A thriving tech and startup ecosystem fueled by University of Illinois research and talent.
Rich cultural diversity and vibrant arts, dining, and entertainment scenes unusual for a mid-sized city.
Drawbacks
Winter weather brings cold temperatures and significant snowfall, averaging nearly 19 inches annually.
Property taxes in Champaign County are relatively high compared to the national average.
Rental markets near the university experience high turnover and seasonal price spikes.
Car dependency is notable outside of the immediate downtown and campus cores.
Local job market can be heavily tied to institutional cycles and state budget fluctuations.
Rockford
Advantages
Median home prices in Rockford remain significantly lower than the national average per Redfin data from 2024.
The city boasts extensive recreational amenities, including the world-renowned Anderson Japanese Gardens.
Strategic location along I-90 provides easy access to Chicago, Madison, and Milwaukee.
A thriving arts and cultural scene anchored by the historic Coronado Theatre.
Abundant park space with the Rockford Park District managing over 4,000 acres of land.
Drawbacks
Certain neighborhoods experience higher-than-average crime rates per FBI crime data.
Property tax rates in Winnebago County can be relatively high compared to neighboring states.
Public transit options are more limited outside of core bus routes, increasing car dependency.
Winter weather brings significant snowfall and cold temperatures requiring robust preparation.
Job growth in traditional manufacturing has faced periodic economic fluctuations.
Explore
Dive Deeper
Key figures side by side — see which city wins each category at a glance.
Champaign
#324Illinois, USA
60.5 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,250
Avg Salary
$64,000
Cost Index
93
Commute
18 min
Transit Score
58.0/100
Walkability
52.0/100
Sunny Days
265/yr
Avg Temp
54.10°F
Pop. Growth
0.80%
Unemployment
4.10%
Livability
76
Business
72
Rockford
#446Illinois, USA
55.9 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$950
Avg Salary
$58,000
Cost Index
85
Commute
21 min
Transit Score
38.0/100
Walkability
42.0/100
Sunny Days
262/yr
Avg Temp
50.40°F
Pop. Growth
%
Unemployment
5.20%
Livability
73
Business
67
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