Mesa vs Rockford
Cost of Living Comparison · 2026 Data
Mesa
Rockford
💡 The Verdict
Rockford is 19% cheaper than Mesa overall. A $75,000 salary in Mesa is equivalent to $60,606 in Rockford.
Category-by-Category Breakdown
Index values for Mesa (left) vs Rockford (right). National average = 100.
Detailed Price Comparison
Estimated item-level prices in Mesa versus Rockford. Differences shown from Mesa perspective.
| Item | Mesa | Rockford | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1-Bed Rent | $960/mo | $870/mo | +$90.00 |
| 2-Bed Rent | $1,350/mo | $1,230/mo | +$120.00 |
| 3-Bed Rent | $1,740/mo | $1,520/mo | +$220.00 |
| Bread (loaf) | $2.62 | $2.56 | +$0.06 |
| Milk (gallon) | $4.11 | $3.40 | +$0.71 |
| Eggs (dozen) | $2.89 | $3.06 | $-0.17 |
| Coffee (latte) | $5.46 | $4.75 | +$0.71 |
| Gas (gallon) | $3.47 | $3.00 | +$0.47 |
| Restaurant Meal | $15.49 | $12.96 | +$2.53 |
💰 Salary Equivalence
A $75,000 salary in Mesa has the same purchasing power as $60,606 in Rockford.
Conversely, $75,000 in Rockford equals $92,812 in Mesa.
💼 Take-Home Pay Comparison
Estimated annual take-home pay on a $75,000 salary after federal, FICA, and state income taxes.
The $1800 difference is driven by Illinois having a higher state income tax rate. Arizona details → · Illinois details →
Reading These Numbers: Mesa (99) vs Rockford (80)
Mesa at 99 is 1% below 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 Mesa, the composite index of 99 reflects a weighted calculation where housing carries the most influence at 98, followed by groceries (99), utilities (96), transportation (103), and healthcare (95). Costs are fairly balanced across categories.
For renters: With median rents of $1,350/mo in Mesa and $1,230/mo in Rockford, the annual rent difference is approximately $1,440.0. Over a 5-year period, that compounds to $7,200.0 in savings by choosing the more affordable city.
For homebuyers: The $40,000.0 difference in median home prices between Mesa 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: Mesa vs Rockford
Choosing between Mesa 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.
When weighing Mesa against Rockford, think beyond the composite index. Your personal savings rate, retirement timeline, and family size all influence which cost categories dominate your budget. Someone spending sixty percent of income on housing and childcare will experience these two cities very differently than a single renter whose largest variable expense is dining out. Model your own spending breakdown against the category indices above for the most realistic comparison.