Jacksonville vs Rockford
Cost of Living Comparison · 2026
Jacksonville
Rockford
The Verdict
The cost gap between these cities is 20.3%, with Rockford being the more affordable option. A $75,000 income in Jacksonville has equivalent purchasing power to $62,368 in Rockford.
Category-by-Category Breakdown
Index values · National average = 100 · Lower is more affordable
Salary Equivalence
A $75,000 salary in Jacksonville has the same purchasing power as $62,368 in Rockford.
Conversely, $75,000 in Rockford equals $90,190 in Jacksonville.
Living in Jacksonville vs Rockford
Housing Costs
Jacksonville's housing index of 89 is higher Rockford's 52, translating to median home prices of $280,000 vs $155,000. The $125,000 difference in home prices means roughly $8,124 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,400/mo in Jacksonville compared to $950/mo in Rockford, a monthly difference of $450.
Grocery & Food Costs
Grocery expenses index at 101 in Jacksonville and 99 in Rockford. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $480/month in Jacksonville 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 94 in Jacksonville and 92 in Rockford. Monthly utility bills average approximately $376 in Jacksonville vs $368 in Rockford. Utility costs are relatively comparable between these two cities.
Healthcare
Healthcare costs index at 95 in Jacksonville and 106 in Rockford. This encompasses insurance premiums, doctor visit copays, dental care, and prescription costs. The 11-point gap reflects real differences in provider costs, insurance market competition, and regional healthcare infrastructure.
Income & Purchasing Power
Median household income is $53,025 in Jacksonville and $53,300 in Rockford. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $55,816 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 $1,237/month to housing in Jacksonville vs $1,244/month in Rockford. In Jacksonville, median rent of $1,400/mo exceeds this threshold, suggesting renters may feel stretched. In Rockford, median rent of $950/mo remains manageable. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Housing, where the gap is 37 index points — focus your budget analysis there.
Frequently Asked Questions
Moving & Relocation Resources
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