Pueblo vs Rockford
Cost of Living Comparison · 2026
Pueblo
Rockford
The Verdict
Living in Rockford costs 13.9% less than Pueblo. To match the purchasing power of a $75,000 salary in Pueblo, you would need $65,833 in Rockford.
Category-by-Category Breakdown
Index values · National average = 100 · Lower is more affordable
Salary Equivalence
A $75,000 salary in Pueblo has the same purchasing power as $65,833 in Rockford.
Conversely, $75,000 in Rockford equals $85,443 in Pueblo.
Living in Pueblo vs Rockford
Housing Costs
Pueblo's housing index of 81 is higher Rockford's 52, translating to median home prices of $247,000 vs $155,000. The $92,000 difference in home prices means roughly $5,976 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,075/mo in Pueblo compared to $950/mo in Rockford, a monthly difference of $125.
Grocery & Food Costs
Grocery expenses index at 99 in Pueblo and 99 in Rockford. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $470/month in Pueblo 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 96 in Pueblo and 92 in Rockford. Monthly utility bills average approximately $384 in Pueblo vs $368 in Rockford. Utility costs are relatively comparable between these two cities.
Healthcare
Healthcare costs index at 102 in Pueblo 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 $56,700 in Pueblo and $53,300 in Rockford. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $63,000 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 $1,323/month to housing in Pueblo vs $1,244/month in Rockford. In Pueblo, median rent of $1,075/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 29 index points — focus your budget analysis there.
Frequently Asked Questions
Moving & Relocation Resources
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