City Comparison

Kissimmee vs Rockford

Cost of Living Comparison · 2026

Kissimmee

Florida
101
Average
$365,000
Median Home
$1,425/mo
Median Rent
$51,300
Median Income

Rockford

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

The Verdict

27.8%

The cost gap between these cities is 27.8%, with Rockford being the more affordable option. A $75,000 income in Kissimmee has equivalent purchasing power to $58,663 in Rockford.

Category-by-Category Breakdown

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

Housing
111
Kissimmee
52
Rockford
Groceries
100
Kissimmee
99
Rockford
Utilities
88
Kissimmee
92
Rockford
Transportation
95
Kissimmee
101
Rockford
Healthcare
90
Kissimmee
106
Rockford

Salary Equivalence

A $75,000 salary in Kissimmee has the same purchasing power as $58,663 in Rockford.

Conversely, $75,000 in Rockford equals $95,886 in Kissimmee.

Living in Kissimmee vs Rockford

Housing Costs

Kissimmee's housing index of 111 is higher Rockford's 52, translating to median home prices of $365,000 vs $155,000. The $210,000 difference in home prices means roughly $13,656 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,425/mo in Kissimmee compared to $950/mo in Rockford, a monthly difference of $475.

Grocery & Food Costs

Grocery expenses index at 100 in Kissimmee and 99 in Rockford. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $475/month in Kissimmee 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 88 in Kissimmee and 92 in Rockford. Monthly utility bills average approximately $352 in Kissimmee vs $368 in Rockford. Utility costs are relatively comparable between these two cities.

Healthcare

Healthcare costs index at 90 in Kissimmee and 106 in Rockford. This encompasses insurance premiums, doctor visit copays, dental care, and prescription costs. The 16-point gap reflects real differences in provider costs, insurance market competition, and regional healthcare infrastructure.

Income & Purchasing Power

Median household income is $51,300 in Kissimmee and $53,300 in Rockford. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $50,792 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 $1,197/month to housing in Kissimmee vs $1,244/month in Rockford. In Kissimmee, median rent of $1,425/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 59 index points — focus your budget analysis there.

Frequently Asked Questions

Rockford is 27.8% more affordable overall with an index of 79 vs 101.
A $75,000 salary in Kissimmee has equivalent purchasing power to approximately $58,663 in Rockford, based on the cost of living difference.
Kissimmee's housing index is 111 with median homes at $365,000, while Rockford's is 52 with median homes at $155,000.

Moving & Relocation Resources

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