CostIndexUSA

Fremont, CA vs Rockford, IL Cost of Living

Data: BEA Regional Price Parities · Census ACS · 2024

CA
Fremont
115.6
overall index
$3,075/mo rent
More AffordableIL
Rockford
92.2
overall index
$1,200/mo rent

Rockford is significantly cheaper than Fremont — 20.2% lower overall cost of living.

To match an $80,000 salary in Fremont, you would need $63,800 in Rockford. Calculate your salary ↓

Category Breakdown

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

🏠 Housing64.0%
Fremont
194.7
Rockford
70.1
🛒 Groceries13.7%
Fremont
108.5
Rockford
93.6
🚗 Transportation6.2%
Fremont
111.5
Rockford
104.6
🏥 Healthcare6.2%
Fremont
100.9
Rockford
94.6
Utilities48.2%
Fremont
172.6
Rockford
89.4

Salary Equivalency Calculator

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

$
Equivalent salary in Rockford, IL
$63,800
$16,200 less needed in Rockford

Formula: salary × (92.2 ÷ 115.6) = salary × 0.7976. Based on BEA Regional Price Parities.

Housing Market

Fremont, CA

Median Home Price
$1,090,000
Median Monthly Rent
$3,075
Housing Index
194.7
Price-to-Rent Ratio
29.5×

Rockford, IL

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

Fremont has 64.0% lower housing costs compared to Rockford.

Income & Job Market

Fremont, CA

Median Household Income
$127,800
Per Capita Income
$72,800
Unemployment Rate
5%
Population
230,504
Top Industries
TechnologyManufacturingHealthcareRetailEducation

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).

Fremont, CA
3.5×income-to-rent ratio

71% 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.