Nampa vs Rockford
Cost of Living Comparison · 2026
Nampa
Rockford
The Verdict
The cost gap between these cities is 32.9%, with Rockford being the more affordable option. A $75,000 income in Nampa has equivalent purchasing power to $56,429 in Rockford.
Category-by-Category Breakdown
Index values · National average = 100 · Lower is more affordable
Salary Equivalence
A $75,000 salary in Nampa has the same purchasing power as $56,429 in Rockford.
Conversely, $75,000 in Rockford equals $99,684 in Nampa.
Living in Nampa vs Rockford
Housing Costs
Nampa's housing index of 104 is higher Rockford's 52, translating to median home prices of $371,000 vs $155,000. The $216,000 difference in home prices means roughly $14,040 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,500/mo in Nampa compared to $950/mo in Rockford, a monthly difference of $550.
Grocery & Food Costs
Grocery expenses index at 105 in Nampa and 99 in Rockford. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $499/month in Nampa vs $470/month in Rockford. Rockford offers a meaningful advantage on everyday food costs, saving roughly $348/year.
Utility Expenses
Utility costs — electricity, gas, water, internet — index at 83 in Nampa and 92 in Rockford. Monthly utility bills average approximately $332 in Nampa vs $368 in Rockford. Utility costs are relatively comparable between these two cities.
Healthcare
Healthcare costs index at 102 in Nampa 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 $74,300 in Nampa and $53,300 in Rockford. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $70,762 and $67,468 respectively. Nampa residents enjoy stronger real purchasing power despite higher nominal wages.
Relocation Considerations
Under the standard 28% rule, a median-income household can allocate $1,734/month to housing in Nampa vs $1,244/month in Rockford. In Nampa, median rent of $1,500/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 52 index points — focus your budget analysis there.
Frequently Asked Questions
Moving & Relocation Resources
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