City Comparison
Rockford vs Springfield
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Springfield scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Rockford
Springfield
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Rockford is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
13% lower than in Springfield.
Housing costs are a major driver: Rockford's average rent is
21% lower than Springfield's.
| Metric | Rockford | Springfield | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $950 | $1,200 | -21% |
| Groceries | $380 | $400 | -5% |
| Utilities | $175 | $180 | -3% |
| Transport | $110 | $110 | 0% |
| Healthcare | $230 | $220 | +5% |
| Monthly Total | $1,845 | $2,110 | -13% |
| Cost Index | 85 | 93 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Springfield offers 16% lower average salaries.
However, when adjusted for local cost of living, Springfield delivers stronger purchasing power —
meaning your dollar stretches further day-to-day.
The minimum comfortable salary in Rockford is estimated at
$48,000 vs $52,000 in Springfield.
| Metric | Rockford | Springfield |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $58,000 | $69,000 |
| Salary Needed | $48,000 | $52,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 68,235 idx | 74,194 idx |
| Household Income | $55,500 | $66,064 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Both cities share a similar average temperature, within 4.9°F of each other.
Winter severity differs too — Rockford sees 4 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | Rockford | Springfield |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 50.40°F | 55.30°F |
| Summer High | 81.80°F | 84.80°F |
| Winter Low | 15.30°F | 20.60°F |
| Rainfall | 29.10 in | 30.10 in |
| Snowfall | 24.40 in | 20.40 in |
| Sunny Days | 262 | 265 |
| Humidity | 68.00% | 65.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Both cities have comparable commute times, within 1 minutes of each other.
Springfield scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
For walkability, Springfield leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Rockford | Springfield |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 21 min | 20 min |
| Transit Score | 38.0/100 | 45.0/100 |
| Walkability | 42.0/100 | 52.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 35.00 | 38.00 |
| Car Dependency | High | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Rockford is the larger city
— approximately 1.3x the population of Springfield.
From a growth perspective, Rockford is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services.
On the employment side, Springfield has a lower unemployment rate, reflecting a tighter and more competitive job market.
| Metric | Rockford | Springfield |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 148,655 | 112,989 |
| Pop. Growth | — | — |
| Median Age | 37.5 | 41.0 |
| Unemployment | 5.20% | 4.10% |
| 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.
Springfield
Advantages
Median home values in Springfield are roughly 51% below the national average per U.S. Census Bureau data.
The cost of living sits approximately 7.3% below the national average according to BEA regional price parities.
Springfield offers an average commute time of roughly 20 minutes, significantly shorter than the national average.
The city boasts top-tier regional healthcare facilities, serving as a major medical hub for central Illinois.
Rich historical heritage centered around Abraham Lincoln provides unique cultural tourism and educational assets.
Drawbacks
The city has experienced slight population contractions over recent census estimates due to regional migration patterns.
Certain urban core neighborhoods experience elevated property crime rates relative to suburban boundaries.
Public transit options outside of core bus routes are limited, maintaining a high reliance on personal vehicles.
State-level budget shifts and local tax structures can create periodic fiscal pressures for municipal services.
Winters can bring harsh freezing temperatures and snowfall, requiring active property and roadway maintenance.
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
Springfield
#390Illinois, USA
58.9 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,200
Avg Salary
$69,000
Cost Index
93
Commute
20 min
Transit Score
45.0/100
Walkability
52.0/100
Sunny Days
265/yr
Avg Temp
55.30°F
Pop. Growth
%
Unemployment
4.10%
Livability
75
Business
67
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