Rockford vs Sioux Falls
Cost of Living Comparison · 2026
Rockford
Sioux Falls
The Verdict
Living in Rockford costs 15.1% less than Sioux Falls. To match the purchasing power of a $75,000 salary in Rockford, you would need $88,291 in Sioux Falls.
Category-by-Category Breakdown
Index values · National average = 100 · Lower is more affordable
Salary Equivalence
A $75,000 salary in Rockford has the same purchasing power as $88,291 in Sioux Falls.
Conversely, $75,000 in Sioux Falls equals $63,710 in Rockford.
Living in Rockford vs Sioux Falls
Housing Costs
Rockford's housing index of 52 is lower Sioux Falls's 80, translating to median home prices of $155,000 vs $265,000. The $110,000 difference in home prices means roughly $7,152 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $950/mo in Rockford compared to $1,100/mo in Sioux Falls, a monthly difference of $150.
Grocery & Food Costs
Grocery expenses index at 99 in Rockford and 97 in Sioux Falls. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $470/month in Rockford vs $461/month in Sioux Falls. 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 94 in Sioux Falls. Monthly utility bills average approximately $368 in Rockford vs $376 in Sioux Falls. Utility costs are relatively comparable between these two cities.
Healthcare
Healthcare costs index at 106 in Rockford and 101 in Sioux Falls. 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 $61,714 in Sioux Falls. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $67,468 and $66,359 respectively. Rockford residents enjoy stronger real purchasing power despite lower nominal wages.
Relocation Considerations
Under the standard 28% rule, a median-income household can allocate $1,244/month to housing in Rockford vs $1,440/month in Sioux Falls. In Rockford, median rent of $950/mo fits within this budget. In Sioux Falls, median rent of $1,100/mo remains manageable. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Housing, where the gap is 28 index points — focus your budget analysis there.
Frequently Asked Questions
Moving & Relocation Resources
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