City Comparison
Orland Park vs Rockford
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Orland Park scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Orland Park
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 Orland Park.
Housing costs are a major driver: Orland Park's average rent is
105% higher than Rockford's.
| Metric | Orland Park | Rockford | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $1,950 | $950 | +105% |
| Groceries | $420 | $380 | +11% |
| Utilities | $185 | $175 | +6% |
| Transport | $130 | $110 | +18% |
| Healthcare | $240 | $230 | +4% |
| Monthly Total | $2,925 | $1,845 | +59% |
| Cost Index | 112 | 85 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Orland Park offers 34% higher average salaries.
However, when adjusted for local cost of living, Orland Park delivers stronger purchasing power —
meaning your dollar stretches further day-to-day.
The minimum comfortable salary in Orland Park is estimated at
$65,000 vs $48,000 in Rockford.
| Metric | Orland Park | Rockford |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $78,000 | $58,000 |
| Salary Needed | $65,000 | $48,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 69,643 idx | 68,235 idx |
| Household Income | $105,000 | $55,500 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Both cities share a similar average temperature, within 1.1°F of each other.
For sunshine, Rockford comes out ahead with 17 more sunny days per year,
which can meaningfully impact mood and outdoor lifestyle.
Winter severity differs too — Orland Park sees 5.2 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | Orland Park | Rockford |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 51.50°F | 50.40°F |
| Summer High | 82.40°F | 81.80°F |
| Winter Low | 18.20°F | 15.30°F |
| Rainfall | 37.30 in | 29.10 in |
| Snowfall | 29.60 in | 24.40 in |
| Sunny Days | 245 | 262 |
| Humidity | 68.00% | 68.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Rockford has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
6,500 minutes (108 hours) per year compared to Orland Park.
Orland Park scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
For walkability, Orland Park leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Orland Park | Rockford |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 34 min | 21 min |
| Transit Score | 48.0/100 | 38.0/100 |
| Walkability | 45.0/100 | 42.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 52.00 | 35.00 |
| Car Dependency | High | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Rockford is the larger city
— approximately 0.4x the population of Orland Park.
From a growth perspective, Orland Park is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services.
On the employment side, Orland Park has a lower unemployment rate, reflecting a tighter and more competitive job market.
| Metric | Orland Park | Rockford |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 58,805 | 148,655 |
| Pop. Growth | 0.50% | — |
| Median Age | 43.5 | 37.5 |
| Unemployment | 4.00% | 5.20% |
| GDP | — | — |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Orland Park
Advantages
Consistently ranked among the safest communities in Illinois with low violent and property crime rates per US Census and FBI data.
Exceptional public school districts serving the area, attracting families seeking top-tier educational opportunities.
Abundant park district amenities, including over 60 parks, sports complexes, and the popular Centennial Park.
Robust retail and dining ecosystem anchored by Orland Square Mall and major commercial corridors.
Convenient commuter rail access to downtown Chicago via multiple Metra SouthWest Service stations.
Drawbacks
Property taxes in Cook County are comparatively high, impacting overall homeownership costs.
High reliance on automobile transportation, leading to traffic congestion along major thoroughfares during peak hours.
Higher-than-average cost of living and housing prices compared to the broader U.S. national average.
Limited high-density urban nightlife or cultural entertainment within the immediate municipal boundaries.
Cold, snowy winter weather conditions typical of the upper Midwest climate.
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.
Orland Park
#135Illinois, USA
65.7 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,950
Avg Salary
$78,000
Cost Index
112
Commute
34 min
Transit Score
48.0/100
Walkability
45.0/100
Sunny Days
245/yr
Avg Temp
51.50°F
Pop. Growth
0.50%
Unemployment
4.00%
Livability
85
Business
76
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 Orland Park and Rockford.
Open Cost Calculator