City Comparison

Colorado Springs vs Rockford

Cost of Living Comparison · 2026

Colorado Springs

Colorado
105
Average
$380,000
Median Home
$1,500/mo
Median Rent
$64,712
Median Income

Rockford

Illinois
79
Very Affordable
$155,000
Median Home
$950/mo
Median Rent
$53,300
Median Income

The Verdict

32.9%

The cost gap between these cities is 32.9%, with Rockford being the more affordable option. A $75,000 income in Colorado Springs has equivalent purchasing power to $56,429 in Rockford.

Category-by-Category Breakdown

Index values · National average = 100 · Lower is more affordable

Housing
115
Colorado Springs
52
Rockford
Groceries
100
Colorado Springs
99
Rockford
Utilities
93
Colorado Springs
92
Rockford
Transportation
101
Colorado Springs
101
Rockford
Healthcare
104
Colorado Springs
106
Rockford

Salary Equivalence

A $75,000 salary in Colorado Springs has the same purchasing power as $56,429 in Rockford.

Conversely, $75,000 in Rockford equals $99,684 in Colorado Springs.

Living in Colorado Springs vs Rockford

Housing Costs

Colorado Springs's housing index of 115 is higher Rockford's 52, translating to median home prices of $380,000 vs $155,000. The $225,000 difference in home prices means roughly $14,628 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,500/mo in Colorado Springs compared to $950/mo in Rockford, a monthly difference of $550.

Grocery & Food Costs

Grocery expenses index at 100 in Colorado Springs and 99 in Rockford. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $475/month in Colorado Springs 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 93 in Colorado Springs and 92 in Rockford. Monthly utility bills average approximately $372 in Colorado Springs vs $368 in Rockford. Utility costs are relatively comparable between these two cities.

Healthcare

Healthcare costs index at 104 in Colorado Springs and 106 in Rockford. This encompasses insurance premiums, doctor visit copays, dental care, and prescription costs. Healthcare costs are relatively similar between these two cities, though individual plan costs can still vary.

Income & Purchasing Power

Median household income is $64,712 in Colorado Springs and $53,300 in Rockford. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $61,630 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 $1,510/month to housing in Colorado Springs vs $1,244/month in Rockford. In Colorado Springs, median rent of $1,500/mo fits within this budget. In Rockford, median rent of $950/mo remains manageable. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Housing, where the gap is 63 index points — focus your budget analysis there.

Frequently Asked Questions

Rockford is 32.9% more affordable overall with an index of 79 vs 105.
A $75,000 salary in Colorado Springs has equivalent purchasing power to approximately $56,429 in Rockford, based on the cost of living difference.
Colorado Springs's housing index is 115 with median homes at $380,000, while Rockford's is 52 with median homes at $155,000.

Moving & Relocation Resources

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