City Comparison
Elgin vs Rockford
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Elgin scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Elgin
Rockford
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Rockford is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
29% lower than in Elgin.
Housing costs are a major driver: Elgin's average rent is
74% higher than Rockford's.
| Metric | Elgin | Rockford | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $1,650 | $950 | +74% |
| Groceries | $420 | $380 | +11% |
| Utilities | $170 | $175 | -3% |
| Transport | $130 | $110 | +18% |
| Healthcare | $240 | $230 | +4% |
| Monthly Total | $2,610 | $1,845 | +41% |
| Cost Index | 96 | 85 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Elgin offers 24% higher average salaries.
However, when adjusted for local cost of living, Elgin delivers stronger purchasing power —
meaning your dollar stretches further day-to-day.
The minimum comfortable salary in Elgin is estimated at
$58,000 vs $48,000 in Rockford.
| Metric | Elgin | Rockford |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $72,000 | $58,000 |
| Salary Needed | $58,000 | $48,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 75,000 idx | 68,235 idx |
| Household Income | $84,500 | $55,500 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Both cities share a similar average temperature, within 0.1°F of each other.
Winter severity differs too — Elgin sees 2.6 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | Elgin | Rockford |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 50.50°F | 50.40°F |
| Summer High | 82.20°F | 81.80°F |
| Winter Low | 16.40°F | 15.30°F |
| Rainfall | 32.30 in | 29.10 in |
| Snowfall | 27.00 in | 24.40 in |
| Sunny Days | 257 | 262 |
| Humidity | 68.00% | 68.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Rockford has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
5,000 minutes (83 hours) per year compared to Elgin.
Elgin scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
For walkability, Elgin leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Elgin | Rockford |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 31 min | 21 min |
| Transit Score | 42.0/100 | 38.0/100 |
| Walkability | 48.0/100 | 42.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 44.00 | 35.00 |
| Car Dependency | High | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Rockford is the larger city
— approximately 0.8x the population of Elgin.
From a growth perspective, Elgin is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services.
On the employment side, Elgin has a lower unemployment rate, reflecting a tighter and more competitive job market.
| Metric | Elgin | Rockford |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 112,500 | 148,655 |
| Pop. Growth | 0.50% | — |
| Median Age | 35.5 | 37.5 |
| Unemployment | 4.30% | 5.20% |
| GDP | — | — |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Elgin
Advantages
Median home prices and rental rates remain noticeably more affordable than Chicago proper per Zillow 2025 data.
Direct commuter rail service via the Metra Union Pacific West line connects residents straight to downtown Chicago.
Extensive outdoor recreation opportunities including the scenic Fox River Trail and over 50 municipal parks.
A culturally diverse population supporting a vibrant culinary scene and regular community festivals.
A growing economy anchored by robust healthcare, manufacturing, and education sectors per Bureau of Labor Statistics.
Drawbacks
Illinois property taxes are among the highest in the nation, impacting overall homeowner costs per tax assessors.
Winters are cold and demanding, with the city receiving around 27 inches of annual snowfall per climate records.
Moderate walkability and transit scores outside the immediate downtown core require heavy car dependency.
Traffic congestion during peak hours along the Interstate 90 corridor can lengthen daily commutes.
Pockets of the city experience higher local crime indices, requiring careful neighborhood selection.
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.
Elgin
#242Illinois, USA
62.5 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,650
Avg Salary
$72,000
Cost Index
96
Commute
31 min
Transit Score
42.0/100
Walkability
48.0/100
Sunny Days
257/yr
Avg Temp
50.50°F
Pop. Growth
0.50%
Unemployment
4.30%
Livability
74
Business
70
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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