City Comparison
Naperville vs Rockford
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Naperville scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Naperville
Rockford
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Rockford is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
37% lower than in Naperville.
Housing costs are a major driver: Naperville's average rent is
105% higher than Rockford's.
| Metric | Naperville | Rockford | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $1,950 | $950 | +105% |
| Groceries | $460 | $380 | +21% |
| Utilities | $175 | $175 | 0% |
| Transport | $130 | $110 | +18% |
| Healthcare | $230 | $230 | 0% |
| Monthly Total | $2,945 | $1,845 | +60% |
| Cost Index | 122 | 85 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Naperville offers 47% higher average salaries.
However, when adjusted for local cost of living, Naperville delivers stronger purchasing power —
meaning your dollar stretches further day-to-day.
The minimum comfortable salary in Naperville is estimated at
$70,000 vs $48,000 in Rockford.
| Metric | Naperville | Rockford |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $85,000 | $58,000 |
| Salary Needed | $70,000 | $48,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 69,672 idx | 68,235 idx |
| Household Income | $145,000 | $55,500 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Both cities share a similar average temperature, within 0.9°F of each other.
For sunshine, Rockford comes out ahead with 12 more sunny days per year,
which can meaningfully impact mood and outdoor lifestyle.
Winter severity differs too — Naperville sees 1.8 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | Naperville | Rockford |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 51.30°F | 50.40°F |
| Summer High | 82.60°F | 81.80°F |
| Winter Low | 17.00°F | 15.30°F |
| Rainfall | 34.30 in | 29.10 in |
| Snowfall | 26.20 in | 24.40 in |
| Sunny Days | 250 | 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 Naperville.
Naperville scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
For walkability, Naperville leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Naperville | Rockford |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 31 min | 21 min |
| Transit Score | 52.0/100 | 38.0/100 |
| Walkability | 58.0/100 | 42.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 54.00 | 35.00 |
| Car Dependency | High | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Naperville is the larger city
.
From a growth perspective, Naperville is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services.
On the employment side, Naperville has a lower unemployment rate, reflecting a tighter and more competitive job market.
| Metric | Naperville | Rockford |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 149,540 | 148,655 |
| Pop. Growth | 0.50% | — |
| Median Age | 38.5 | 37.5 |
| Unemployment | 3.80% | 5.20% |
| GDP | — | — |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Naperville
Advantages
Consistently ranked among the top public school districts in Illinois per Niche 2024 data
Extremely low crime rates and high safety profile relative to national averages per FBI crime reports
Vibrant downtown area featuring the scenic Riverwalk, local dining, and boutique shopping
Direct commuter rail service to downtown Chicago via the Metra BNSF line
Strong local economy with high median household incomes well above the national baseline
Drawbacks
Significantly higher cost of living and housing prices compared to the national average
Elevated property taxes characteristic of the Chicago collar counties
High level of car dependency outside of the immediate downtown district
Traffic congestion during peak commuting hours along major corridors like Route 59 and I-88
Cold and snowy winter climate requiring substantial seasonal maintenance
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.
Naperville
#223Illinois, USA
63.2 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,950
Avg Salary
$85,000
Cost Index
122
Commute
31 min
Transit Score
52.0/100
Walkability
58.0/100
Sunny Days
250/yr
Avg Temp
51.30°F
Pop. Growth
0.50%
Unemployment
3.80%
Livability
90
Business
80
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
Calculate Your Cost Impact
Estimate the salary you'd need when moving between Naperville and Rockford.
Open Cost Calculator