Irving vs Rockford
Cost of Living Comparison · 2026
Irving
Rockford
The Verdict
The cost gap between these cities is 26.6%, with Rockford being the more affordable option. A $75,000 income in Irving has equivalent purchasing power to $59,250 in Rockford.
Category-by-Category Breakdown
Index values · National average = 100 · Lower is more affordable
Salary Equivalence
A $75,000 salary in Irving has the same purchasing power as $59,250 in Rockford.
Conversely, $75,000 in Rockford equals $94,937 in Irving.
Living in Irving vs Rockford
Housing Costs
Irving's housing index of 94 is higher Rockford's 52, translating to median home prices of $318,000 vs $155,000. The $163,000 difference in home prices means roughly $10,596 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,350/mo in Irving compared to $950/mo in Rockford, a monthly difference of $400.
Grocery & Food Costs
Grocery expenses index at 99 in Irving and 99 in Rockford. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $470/month in Irving 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 111 in Irving and 92 in Rockford. Monthly utility bills average approximately $444 in Irving 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 103 in Irving 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 $73,400 in Irving and $53,300 in Rockford. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $73,400 and $67,468 respectively. Irving residents enjoy stronger real purchasing power despite higher nominal wages.
Relocation Considerations
Under the standard 28% rule, a median-income household can allocate $1,713/month to housing in Irving vs $1,244/month in Rockford. In Irving, median rent of $1,350/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 42 index points — focus your budget analysis there.
Frequently Asked Questions
Moving & Relocation Resources
As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases