Rockford wins overall by ~1% (COL index)
Cost of living: Rockford vs Peoria (2026)
A $60,000 salary in Rockford buys roughly what $60,732 does in Peoria (COL-adjusted). Your real trade-offs are taxes, rent, and day-to-day prices — we break them down and personalize below.
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Tell us about your household — we calculate your real annual savings.
Estimated annual swing
+$139/yr
Favoring Rockford for this income & household (illustrative).
With an extra $12/mo in Rockford, you could max a Roth IRA contribution faster and still grow your savings buffer.
Studio rent/mo
1BR rent/mo
2BR rent/mo
Median home price
Groceries index (100 = US avg)
Budget meal (1 person)
Mid-range dinner (2)
Monthly transit pass/mo
Gas price/gal
Car insurance/mo
Monthly utilities bundle/mo
Internet/mo
Median household income/yr
State income tax%
Sales tax (combined)%
Movie ticket
Gym membership/mo
Beer at restaurant
Overall COL index (100 = US avg)
Walk score / 100
| Category | Rockford Illinois | Peoria Illinois | Who wins | Your impact at $60K · 1br · 1 car |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 🏠 HousingQ1 2026 | ||||
| Studio rent/mo | $850Better | $850 | — | — |
| 1BR rent/mo | $1,050Better | $1,050 | — | — |
| 2BR rent/mo | $1,400Better | $1,400 | — | — |
| Median home price | $175KBetter | $175K | — | — |
| 🛒 Food & GroceriesQ1 2026 | ||||
| Groceries index (100 = US avg) | 94Better | 95 | Rockford wins +1 | — |
| Budget meal (1 person) | $11Better | $12 | Rockford wins +$1/mo | — |
| Mid-range dinner (2) | $48Better | $48 | — | — |
| 🚌 TransportationQ1 2026 | ||||
| Monthly transit pass/mo | $50Better | $55 | Rockford wins +$5/mo | — |
| Gas price/gal | $3.05Better | $3.05 | — | — |
| Car insurance/mo | $148Better | $148 | — | — |
| ⚡ UtilitiesQ1 2026 | ||||
| Monthly utilities bundle/mo | $158Better | $158 | — | — |
| Internet/mo | $58Better | $60 | Rockford wins +$2/mo | — |
| 💰 Income & TaxesQ1 2026 | ||||
| Median household income/yr | $47K | $50KBetter | Peoria wins +$3K more/yr | — |
| State income tax% | 5.0%Better | 5.0% | — | — |
| Sales tax (combined)% | 8.5%Better | 8.5% | — | — |
| 🎬 LeisureQ1 2026 | ||||
| Movie ticket | $13.00Better | $13.00 | — | — |
| Gym membership/mo | $33Better | $33 | — | — |
| Beer at restaurant | $5.00Better | $5.00 | — | — |
| 📊 OverviewQ1 2026 | ||||
| Overall COL index (100 = US avg) | 82Better | 83 | Rockford wins +1 | — |
| Walk score / 100 | 34 | 38Better | Peoria wins +4 more/yr | — |
Complete the Picture
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Tax-smart rewards
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Rockford fits your move math — cash-back cards stack on groceries, gas, and dining you're already doing.
Home + auto bundle
New state — new insurance rates
Bundling often saves hundreds/yr. Compare before you sign a lease in Rockford.
High-yield savings
Grow your move fund while you shop for homes
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Frequently asked questions
Is Rockford cheaper than Peoria?
Yes. Rockford is 1% cheaper than Peoria based on overall cost of living indices (82 vs 83, where 100 = US average).
What is the average rent in Rockford vs Peoria?
As of Q1 2026, the median 1-bedroom rent in Rockford is $1,050/month and in Peoria is $1,050/month. Rockford is more expensive by 0%.
How much do I need to earn in Peoria to match a $75,000 salary in Rockford?
To maintain a similar lifestyle, you would need approximately $75,915/year in Peoria to match a $75,000 salary in Rockford. This estimate is based on overall cost of living indices and does not account for individual spending patterns.
Which city has lower taxes — Rockford or Peoria?
Peoria has the lower state income tax rate at 5% vs 5%. The difference is 0.0 percentage points. Note that sales tax and local taxes also vary — see the full breakdown in the table above.
Is it worth moving from Rockford to Peoria?
It depends on your priorities. Rockford offers lower overall costs, but both cities have different job markets, weather, and lifestyle trade-offs. Use the comparison table above to evaluate rent, groceries, transportation, and income potential side by side based on your specific budget.
Data sourced from Zillow, BLS, Numbeo, Tax Foundation, and US Census ACS · Updated Q1 2026 · For general guidance only
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