Aurora vs Rockford
Cost of Living Comparison · 2026 Data
Aurora
Rockford
💡 The Verdict
Rockford is 30% cheaper than Aurora overall. A $75,000 salary in Aurora is equivalent to $52,632 in Rockford.
Category-by-Category Breakdown
Index values for Aurora (left) vs Rockford (right). National average = 100.
Detailed Price Comparison
Estimated item-level prices in Aurora versus Rockford. Differences shown from Aurora perspective.
| Item | Aurora | Rockford | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1-Bed Rent | $1,070/mo | $870/mo | +$200.00 |
| 2-Bed Rent | $1,500/mo | $1,230/mo | +$270.00 |
| 3-Bed Rent | $2,060/mo | $1,520/mo | +$540.00 |
| Bread (loaf) | $3.13 | $2.56 | +$0.57 |
| Milk (gallon) | $4.45 | $3.40 | +$1.05 |
| Eggs (dozen) | $3.87 | $3.06 | +$0.81 |
| Coffee (latte) | $6.09 | $4.75 | +$1.34 |
| Gas (gallon) | $3.58 | $3.00 | +$0.58 |
| Restaurant Meal | $20.05 | $12.96 | +$7.09 |
💰 Salary Equivalence
A $75,000 salary in Aurora has the same purchasing power as $52,632 in Rockford.
Conversely, $75,000 in Rockford equals $106,875 in Aurora.
💼 Take-Home Pay Comparison
Estimated annual take-home pay on a $75,000 salary after federal, FICA, and state income taxes.
The $375 difference is driven by Illinois having a higher state income tax rate. Colorado details → · Illinois details →
Reading These Numbers: Aurora (114) vs Rockford (80)
Aurora at 114 is 14% above the US average, while Rockford at 80 is 20% below average. There is a meaningful cost gap between these two cities that affects day-to-day budgeting.
In Aurora, the composite index of 114 reflects a weighted calculation where housing carries the most influence at 115, followed by groceries (114), utilities (117), transportation (114), and healthcare (125). Costs are fairly balanced across categories.
For renters: With median rents of $1,500/mo in Aurora and $1,230/mo in Rockford, the annual rent difference is approximately $3,240.0. Over a 5-year period, that compounds to $16,200.0 in savings by choosing the more affordable city.
For homebuyers: The $53,000.0 difference in median home prices between Aurora and Rockford translates to meaningful differences in mortgage payments at current rates. Factor this into your budget alongside property taxes and insurance, which also vary by location.
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Making Your Decision: Aurora vs Rockford
Choosing between Aurora and Rockford involves more than just comparing index numbers. Consider how each category aligns with your personal spending patterns. If you work from home, transportation costs matter less than housing and utilities. If you eat out frequently, the groceries index may understate your actual food spending — look at the restaurant meal prices in the detailed comparison table above instead.
Long-term affordability in Aurora versus Rockford depends partly on cost trajectory. Cities experiencing rapid population growth tend to see costs rise faster than established metros where supply has caught up with demand. While our index captures current conditions, consider whether the city trending cheaper today might converge toward average over the next five to ten years as more people discover it. Our quarterly updates help track these shifts over time.