CostIndexUSA

Norfolk, VA vs Rockford, IL Cost of Living

Data: BEA Regional Price Parities · Census ACS · 2024

VA
Norfolk
97.9
overall index
$1,800/mo rent
More AffordableIL
Rockford
92.2
overall index
$1,200/mo rent

Rockford is moderately cheaper than Norfolk — 5.8% lower overall cost of living.

To match an $80,000 salary in Norfolk, you would need $75,300 in Rockford. Calculate your salary ↓

Category Breakdown

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

🏠 Housing29.8%
Norfolk
99.8
Rockford
70.1
🛒 Groceries3.3%
Norfolk
96.8
Rockford
93.6
🚗 Transportation+1.1%
Norfolk
103.5
Rockford
104.6
🏥 Healthcare+1.0%
Norfolk
93.7
Rockford
94.6
Utilities≈ Equal
Norfolk
89.6
Rockford
89.4

Salary Equivalency Calculator

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

$
Equivalent salary in Rockford, IL
$75,300
$4,700 less needed in Rockford

Formula: salary × (92.2 ÷ 97.9) = salary × 0.9418. Based on BEA Regional Price Parities.

Housing Market

Norfolk, VA

Median Home Price
$360,000
Median Monthly Rent
$1,800
Housing Index
99.8
Price-to-Rent Ratio
16.7×

Rockford, IL

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

Norfolk has 29.8% lower housing costs compared to Rockford.

Income & Job Market

Norfolk, VA

Median Household Income
$79,300
Per Capita Income
$45,200
Unemployment Rate
4.3%
Population
245,782
Top Industries
MilitaryHealthcareShippingGovernmentRetail

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).

Norfolk, VA
3.7×income-to-rent ratio

73% 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.