Los Angeles vs Rockford
Cost of Living Comparison · 2026 Data
Los Angeles
Rockford
💡 The Verdict
Rockford is 52% cheaper than Los Angeles overall. A $75,000 salary in Los Angeles is equivalent to $36,145 in Rockford.
Category-by-Category Breakdown
Index values for Los Angeles (left) vs Rockford (right). National average = 100.
Detailed Price Comparison
Estimated item-level prices in Los Angeles versus Rockford. Differences shown from Los Angeles perspective.
| Item | Los Angeles | Rockford | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1-Bed Rent | $1,990/mo | $870/mo | +$1120.00 |
| 2-Bed Rent | $2,700/mo | $1,230/mo | +$1470.00 |
| 3-Bed Rent | $3,660/mo | $1,520/mo | +$2140.00 |
| Bread (loaf) | $3.14 | $2.56 | +$0.58 |
| Milk (gallon) | $3.91 | $3.40 | +$0.51 |
| Eggs (dozen) | $3.25 | $3.06 | +$0.19 |
| Coffee (latte) | $6.16 | $4.75 | +$1.41 |
| Gas (gallon) | $3.64 | $3.00 | +$0.64 |
| Restaurant Meal | $24.46 | $12.96 | +$11.50 |
💰 Salary Equivalence
A $75,000 salary in Los Angeles has the same purchasing power as $36,145 in Rockford.
Conversely, $75,000 in Rockford equals $155,625 in Los Angeles.
💼 Take-Home Pay Comparison
Estimated annual take-home pay on a $75,000 salary after federal, FICA, and state income taxes.
The $975 difference is driven by California having a higher state income tax rate. California details → · Illinois details →
Reading These Numbers: Los Angeles (166) vs Rockford (80)
Los Angeles at 166 is 66% above the US average, while Rockford at 80 is 20% below average. There is a meaningful cost gap between these two cities that affects day-to-day budgeting.
In Los Angeles, the composite index of 166 reflects a weighted calculation where housing carries the most influence at 262, followed by groceries (107), utilities (114), transportation (118), and healthcare (103). Housing is the primary cost driver here.
For renters: With median rents of $2,700/mo in Los Angeles and $1,230/mo in Rockford, the annual rent difference is approximately $17,640.0. Over a 5-year period, that compounds to $88,200.0 in savings by choosing the more affordable city.
For homebuyers: The $540,000.0 difference in median home prices between Los Angeles and Rockford translates to meaningful differences in mortgage payments at current rates. Factor this into your budget alongside property taxes and insurance, which also vary by location.
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Making Your Decision: Los Angeles vs Rockford
Choosing between Los Angeles and Rockford involves more than just comparing index numbers. Consider how each category aligns with your personal spending patterns. If you work from home, transportation costs matter less than housing and utilities. If you eat out frequently, the groceries index may understate your actual food spending — look at the restaurant meal prices in the detailed comparison table above instead.
Long-term affordability in Los Angeles versus Rockford depends partly on cost trajectory. Cities experiencing rapid population growth tend to see costs rise faster than established metros where supply has caught up with demand. While our index captures current conditions, consider whether the city trending cheaper today might converge toward average over the next five to ten years as more people discover it. Our quarterly updates help track these shifts over time.