City Comparison
Rockford vs Bloomington
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Bloomington scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Rockford
Bloomington
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Rockford is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
29% lower than in Bloomington.
Housing costs are a major driver: Rockford's average rent is
14% lower than Bloomington's.
| Metric | Rockford | Bloomington | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $950 | $1,100 | -14% |
| Groceries | $380 | $685 | -45% |
| Utilities | $175 | $391 | -55% |
| Transport | $110 | $300 | -63% |
| Healthcare | $230 | $120 | +92% |
| Monthly Total | $1,845 | $2,596 | -29% |
| Cost Index | 85 | 89 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Bloomington offers 24% lower average salaries.
However, when adjusted for local cost of living, Bloomington delivers stronger purchasing power —
meaning your dollar stretches further day-to-day.
The minimum comfortable salary in Rockford is estimated at
$48,000 vs $44,700 in Bloomington.
| Metric | Rockford | Bloomington |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $58,000 | $76,000 |
| Salary Needed | $48,000 | $44,700 |
| Purchasing Power | 68,235 idx | 85,393 idx |
| Household Income | $55,500 | $77,384 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Rockford runs warmer on average — a 50.4°F difference year-round.
For sunshine, Rockford comes out ahead with 262 more sunny days per year,
which can meaningfully impact mood and outdoor lifestyle.
Winter severity differs too — Rockford sees 24.4 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | Rockford | Bloomington |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 50.40°F | °F |
| Summer High | 81.80°F | °F |
| Winter Low | 15.30°F | °F |
| Rainfall | 29.10 in | in |
| Snowfall | 24.40 in | in |
| Sunny Days | 262 | |
| Humidity | 68.00% | % |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Bloomington has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
2,000 minutes (33 hours) per year compared to Rockford.
Bloomington scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
For walkability, Bloomington leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Rockford | Bloomington |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 21 min | 17 min |
| Transit Score | 38.0/100 | 50.0/100 |
| Walkability | 42.0/100 | 60.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 35.00 | 35.00 |
| Car Dependency | High | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Rockford is the larger city
— approximately 1.9x the population of Bloomington.
From a growth perspective, Bloomington is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services.
On the employment side, Bloomington has a lower unemployment rate, reflecting a tighter and more competitive job market.
| Metric | Rockford | Bloomington |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 148,655 | 79,268 |
| Pop. Growth | — | 0.20% |
| Median Age | 37.5 | 36.2 |
| Unemployment | 5.20% | 3.90% |
| GDP | — | — |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
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.
Bloomington
Advantages
The cost of living in Bloomington is 11% lower than the national average, making it an affordable place to reside.
Bloomington boasts a strong job market with a 2.83% job growth rate from 2023 to 2024, particularly in Finance & Insurance and Healthcare.
The average commute time is 17 minutes, significantly shorter than the national average, leading to less time spent in traffic.
The median household income of $77,384 in 2024 is competitive, supporting a comfortable lifestyle.
The city offers a balanced quality of life with access to good hospitals, schools, and recreational activities.
Drawbacks
Utilities costs in Bloomington are 5.7% higher than the national average, potentially impacting monthly budgets.
Healthcare costs are 6.2% higher than the national average, which could be a consideration for residents.
Public transportation options are available, but the city exhibits high car dependency, with 75% of residents using personal vehicles for commuting.
While generally safe, the city has an average crime rate, suggesting areas where vigilance may be necessary.
The median rent of $1,100 per month, while affordable compared to national averages, can still be a significant expense for some households.
Explore
Dive Deeper
Key figures side by side — see which city wins each category at a glance.
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
Bloomington
#117Illinois, USA
66.5 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,100
Avg Salary
$76,000
Cost Index
89
Commute
17 min
Transit Score
50.0/100
Walkability
60.0/100
Sunny Days
/yr
Avg Temp
°F
Pop. Growth
0.20%
Unemployment
3.90%
Livability
74
Business
70
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