Charleston vs Rockford
Cost of Living Comparison · 2026
Charleston
Rockford
The Verdict
Rockford is 7.6% less expensive than Charleston overall. A household earning $75,000 in Charleston would need approximately $69,706 in Rockford to maintain the same standard of living.
Category-by-Category Breakdown
Index values · National average = 100 · Lower is more affordable
Salary Equivalence
A $75,000 salary in Charleston has the same purchasing power as $69,706 in Rockford.
Conversely, $75,000 in Rockford equals $80,696 in Charleston.
Living in Charleston vs Rockford
Housing Costs
Charleston's housing index of 62 is higher Rockford's 52, translating to median home prices of $135,000 vs $155,000. The $20,000 difference in home prices means roughly $1,296 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $850/mo in Charleston compared to $950/mo in Rockford, a monthly difference of $100.
Grocery & Food Costs
Grocery expenses index at 97 in Charleston and 99 in Rockford. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $461/month in Charleston vs $470/month in Rockford. The difference in grocery costs between these cities is relatively minor and unlikely to be a deciding factor in relocation.
Utility Expenses
Utility costs — electricity, gas, water, internet — index at 92 in Charleston and 92 in Rockford. Monthly utility bills average approximately $368 in Charleston vs $368 in Rockford. Utility costs are relatively comparable between these two cities.
Healthcare
Healthcare costs index at 91 in Charleston and 106 in Rockford. This encompasses insurance premiums, doctor visit copays, dental care, and prescription costs. The 15-point gap reflects real differences in provider costs, insurance market competition, and regional healthcare infrastructure.
Income & Purchasing Power
Median household income is $42,034 in Charleston and $53,300 in Rockford. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $49,452 and $67,468 respectively. Rockford residents come out ahead in real purchasing power.
Relocation Considerations
Under the standard 28% rule, a median-income household can allocate $981/month to housing in Charleston vs $1,244/month in Rockford. In Charleston, median rent of $850/mo fits within this budget. In Rockford, median rent of $950/mo remains manageable. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Healthcare, where the gap is 15 index points — focus your budget analysis there.
Frequently Asked Questions
Moving & Relocation Resources
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