CostIndexUSA

Arlington, TX vs Rockford, IL Cost of Living

Data: BEA Regional Price Parities · Census ACS · 2024

TX
Arlington
103.1
overall index
$1,775/mo rent
More AffordableIL
Rockford
92.2
overall index
$1,200/mo rent

Rockford is moderately cheaper than Arlington — 10.6% lower overall cost of living.

To match an $80,000 salary in Arlington, you would need $71,500 in Rockford. Calculate your salary ↓

Category Breakdown

Index values: 100 = U.S. national average. Higher = more expensive.

🏠 Housing40.5%
Arlington
117.9
Rockford
70.1
🛒 Groceries8.9%
Arlington
102.8
Rockford
93.6
🚗 Transportation≈ Equal
Arlington
104.7
Rockford
104.6
🏥 Healthcare≈ Equal
Arlington
94.7
Rockford
94.6
Utilities1.4%
Arlington
90.7
Rockford
89.4

Salary Equivalency Calculator

Enter your current salary in Arlington to see what you'd need to earn in Rockford to maintain the same purchasing power.

$
Equivalent salary in Rockford, IL
$71,500
$8,500 less needed in Rockford

Formula: salary × (92.2 ÷ 103.1) = salary × 0.8943. Based on BEA Regional Price Parities.

Housing Market

Arlington, TX

Median Home Price
$450,000
Median Monthly Rent
$1,775
Housing Index
117.9
Price-to-Rent Ratio
21.1×

Rockford, IL

Median Home Price
$206,000
Median Monthly Rent
$1,200
Housing Index
70.1
Price-to-Rent Ratio
14.3×

Arlington has 40.5% lower housing costs compared to Rockford.

Income & Job Market

Arlington, TX

Median Household Income
$86,900
Per Capita Income
$49,500
Unemployment Rate
3.9%
Population
394,266
Top Industries
EntertainmentManufacturingTechnologyHealthcareFinance

Rockford, IL

Median Household Income
$67,000
Per Capita Income
$38,200
Unemployment Rate
5.8%
Population
148,123
Top Industries
ManufacturingHealthcareFinanceRetailEducation

Affordability at a Glance

Income-to-rent ratio: higher is better (more income relative to housing costs).

Arlington, TX
4.1×income-to-rent ratio

75% of income left after rent (median)

Rockford, IL
4.7×income-to-rent ratio

79% of income left after rent (median)

Data Sources: Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA) Regional Price Parities 2024; U.S. Census Bureau American Community Survey (ACS); Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) Local Area Unemployment Statistics; Zillow Research.

Cost indices use 100 as the U.S. national average. Values above 100 indicate costs above the national average. Data is updated annually.

This data is for informational purposes only and should not be used as the sole basis for relocation or financial decisions.