Rockford vs Tyler
Cost of Living Comparison · 2026
Rockford
Tyler
The Verdict
Living in Rockford costs 7.1% less than Tyler. To match the purchasing power of a $75,000 salary in Rockford, you would need $80,696 in Tyler.
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 $80,696 in Tyler.
Conversely, $75,000 in Tyler equals $69,706 in Rockford.
Living in Rockford vs Tyler
Housing Costs
Rockford's housing index of 52 is lower Tyler's 69, 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 $1,075/mo in Tyler, a monthly difference of $125.
Grocery & Food Costs
Grocery expenses index at 99 in Rockford and 96 in Tyler. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $470/month in Rockford vs $456/month in Tyler. 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 97 in Tyler. Monthly utility bills average approximately $368 in Rockford vs $388 in Tyler. Utility costs are relatively comparable between these two cities.
Healthcare
Healthcare costs index at 106 in Rockford and 93 in Tyler. This encompasses insurance premiums, doctor visit copays, dental care, and prescription costs. The 13-point gap reflects real differences in provider costs, insurance market competition, and regional healthcare infrastructure.
Income & Purchasing Power
Median household income is $53,300 in Rockford and $54,800 in Tyler. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $67,468 and $64,471 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 $1,279/month in Tyler. In Rockford, median rent of $950/mo fits within this budget. In Tyler, median rent of $1,075/mo remains manageable. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Housing, where the gap is 17 index points — focus your budget analysis there.
Frequently Asked Questions
Moving & Relocation Resources
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