CostIndexUSA

Modesto, CA vs Rockford, IL Cost of Living

Data: BEA Regional Price Parities · Census ACS · 2024

CA
Modesto
104.1
overall index
$2,100/mo rent
More AffordableIL
Rockford
92.2
overall index
$1,200/mo rent

Rockford is moderately cheaper than Modesto — 11.4% lower overall cost of living.

To match an $80,000 salary in Modesto, you would need $70,900 in Rockford. Calculate your salary ↓

Category Breakdown

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

🏠 Housing35.4%
Modesto
108.5
Rockford
70.1
🛒 Groceries11.0%
Modesto
105.2
Rockford
93.6
🚗 Transportation0.7%
Modesto
105.3
Rockford
104.6
🏥 Healthcare0.7%
Modesto
95.3
Rockford
94.6
Utilities41.3%
Modesto
152.3
Rockford
89.4

Salary Equivalency Calculator

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

$
Equivalent salary in Rockford, IL
$70,900
$9,100 less needed in Rockford

Formula: salary × (92.2 ÷ 104.1) = salary × 0.8857. Based on BEA Regional Price Parities.

Housing Market

Modesto, CA

Median Home Price
$457,000
Median Monthly Rent
$2,100
Housing Index
108.5
Price-to-Rent Ratio
18.1×

Rockford, IL

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

Modesto has 35.4% lower housing costs compared to Rockford.

Income & Job Market

Modesto, CA

Median Household Income
$82,800
Per Capita Income
$47,200
Unemployment Rate
6.6%
Population
218,464
Top Industries
AgricultureHealthcareManufacturingRetailEducation

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).

Modesto, CA
3.3×income-to-rent ratio

70% 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.