City Comparison

Rockford vs Sioux Falls

Cost of Living Comparison · 2026

Rockford

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

Sioux Falls

South Dakota
93
Below Average
$265,000
Median Home
$1,100/mo
Median Rent
$61,714
Median Income

The Verdict

15.1%

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

Housing
52
Rockford
80
Sioux Falls
Groceries
99
Rockford
97
Sioux Falls
Utilities
92
Rockford
94
Sioux Falls
Transportation
101
Rockford
98
Sioux Falls
Healthcare
106
Rockford
101
Sioux Falls

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

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 Sioux Falls, based on the cost of living difference.
Rockford's housing index is 52 with median homes at $155,000, while Sioux Falls's is 80 with median homes at $265,000.

Moving & Relocation Resources

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