City Comparison

Concord vs Rockford

Cost of Living Comparison · 2026

Concord

California
147
Expensive
$680,000
Median Home
$2,350/mo
Median Rent
$109,000
Median Income

Rockford

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

The Verdict

86.1%

Living in Rockford costs 86.1% less than Concord. To match the purchasing power of a $75,000 salary in Concord, you would need $40,306 in Rockford.

Category-by-Category Breakdown

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

Housing
210
Concord
52
Rockford
Groceries
112
Concord
99
Rockford
Utilities
147
Concord
92
Rockford
Transportation
137
Concord
101
Rockford
Healthcare
121
Concord
106
Rockford

Salary Equivalence

A $75,000 salary in Concord has the same purchasing power as $40,306 in Rockford.

Conversely, $75,000 in Rockford equals $139,557 in Concord.

Living in Concord vs Rockford

Housing Costs

Concord's housing index of 210 is higher Rockford's 52, translating to median home prices of $680,000 vs $155,000. The $525,000 difference in home prices means roughly $34,128 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $2,350/mo in Concord compared to $950/mo in Rockford, a monthly difference of $1,400.

Grocery & Food Costs

Grocery expenses index at 112 in Concord and 99 in Rockford. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $532/month in Concord vs $470/month in Rockford. Rockford offers a meaningful advantage on everyday food costs, saving roughly $744/year.

Utility Expenses

Utility costs — electricity, gas, water, internet — index at 147 in Concord and 92 in Rockford. Monthly utility bills average approximately $588 in Concord vs $368 in Rockford. Climate differences between the two cities drive much of this gap, with heating and cooling costs varying substantially by region.

Healthcare

Healthcare costs index at 121 in Concord 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 $109,000 in Concord and $53,300 in Rockford. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $74,150 and $67,468 respectively. Concord residents enjoy stronger real purchasing power despite higher nominal wages.

Relocation Considerations

Under the standard 28% rule, a median-income household can allocate $2,543/month to housing in Concord vs $1,244/month in Rockford. In Concord, median rent of $2,350/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 158 index points — focus your budget analysis there.

Frequently Asked Questions

Rockford is 86.1% more affordable overall with an index of 79 vs 147.
A $75,000 salary in Concord has equivalent purchasing power to approximately $40,306 in Rockford, based on the cost of living difference.
Concord's housing index is 210 with median homes at $680,000, while Rockford's is 52 with median homes at $155,000.

Moving & Relocation Resources

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