City Comparison

Rockford vs Savannah

Cost of Living Comparison · 2026

Rockford

Illinois
79
Very Affordable
$155,000
Median Home
$950/mo
Median Rent
$53,300
Median Income

Savannah

Georgia
93
Below Average
$250,000
Median Home
$1,300/mo
Median Rent
$45,210
Median Income

The Verdict

15.1%

Living in Rockford costs 15.1% less than Savannah. To match the purchasing power of a $75,000 salary in Rockford, you would need $88,291 in Savannah.

Category-by-Category Breakdown

Index values · National average = 100 · Lower is more affordable

Housing
52
Rockford
81
Savannah
Groceries
99
Rockford
100
Savannah
Utilities
92
Rockford
95
Savannah
Transportation
101
Rockford
101
Savannah
Healthcare
106
Rockford
98
Savannah

Salary Equivalence

A $75,000 salary in Rockford has the same purchasing power as $88,291 in Savannah.

Conversely, $75,000 in Savannah equals $63,710 in Rockford.

Living in Rockford vs Savannah

Housing Costs

Rockford's housing index of 52 is lower Savannah's 81, translating to median home prices of $155,000 vs $250,000. The $95,000 difference in home prices means roughly $6,180 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $950/mo in Rockford compared to $1,300/mo in Savannah, a monthly difference of $350.

Grocery & Food Costs

Grocery expenses index at 99 in Rockford and 100 in Savannah. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $470/month in Rockford vs $475/month in Savannah. 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 92 in Rockford and 95 in Savannah. Monthly utility bills average approximately $368 in Rockford vs $380 in Savannah. Utility costs are relatively comparable between these two cities.

Healthcare

Healthcare costs index at 106 in Rockford and 98 in Savannah. 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 $53,300 in Rockford and $45,210 in Savannah. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $67,468 and $48,613 respectively. Rockford residents enjoy stronger real purchasing power despite higher nominal wages.

Relocation Considerations

Under the standard 28% rule, a median-income household can allocate $1,244/month to housing in Rockford vs $1,055/month in Savannah. In Rockford, median rent of $950/mo fits within this budget. In Savannah, median rent of $1,300/mo pushes past the recommended limit. 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

Rockford is 15.1% more affordable overall with an index of 79 vs 93.
A $75,000 salary in Rockford has equivalent purchasing power to approximately $88,291 in Savannah, based on the cost of living difference.
Rockford's housing index is 52 with median homes at $155,000, while Savannah's is 81 with median homes at $250,000.

Moving & Relocation Resources

Moving PlannersFinance BooksBudget Planners

As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases