Naperville vs Rockford
Cost of Living Comparison · 2026
Naperville
Rockford
The Verdict
Living in Rockford costs 41.8% less than Naperville. To match the purchasing power of a $75,000 salary in Naperville, you would need $52,902 in Rockford.
Category-by-Category Breakdown
Index values · National average = 100 · Lower is more affordable
Salary Equivalence
A $75,000 salary in Naperville has the same purchasing power as $52,902 in Rockford.
Conversely, $75,000 in Rockford equals $106,329 in Naperville.
Living in Naperville vs Rockford
Housing Costs
Naperville's housing index of 130 is higher Rockford's 52, translating to median home prices of $430,000 vs $155,000. The $275,000 difference in home prices means roughly $17,880 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,800/mo in Naperville compared to $950/mo in Rockford, a monthly difference of $850.
Grocery & Food Costs
Grocery expenses index at 104 in Naperville and 99 in Rockford. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $494/month in Naperville 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 99 in Naperville and 92 in Rockford. Monthly utility bills average approximately $396 in Naperville vs $368 in Rockford. Utility costs are relatively comparable between these two cities.
Healthcare
Healthcare costs index at 101 in Naperville 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 $118,254 in Naperville and $53,300 in Rockford. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $105,584 and $67,468 respectively. Naperville residents enjoy stronger real purchasing power despite higher nominal wages.
Relocation Considerations
Under the standard 28% rule, a median-income household can allocate $2,759/month to housing in Naperville vs $1,244/month in Rockford. In Naperville, median rent of $1,800/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 78 index points — focus your budget analysis there.
Frequently Asked Questions
Moving & Relocation Resources
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