Rockford vs Vienna
Cost of Living Comparison · 2026
Rockford
Vienna
The Verdict
Rockford is 10.2% less expensive than Vienna overall. A household earning $75,000 in Rockford would need approximately $83,544 in Vienna to maintain the same standard of living.
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 $83,544 in Vienna.
Conversely, $75,000 in Vienna equals $67,330 in Rockford.
Living in Rockford vs Vienna
Housing Costs
Rockford's housing index of 52 is lower Vienna's 105, translating to median home prices of $155,000 vs $395,000. The $240,000 difference in home prices means roughly $15,600 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $950/mo in Rockford compared to $1,275/mo in Vienna, a monthly difference of $325.
Grocery & Food Costs
Grocery expenses index at 99 in Rockford and 85 in Vienna. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $470/month in Rockford vs $404/month in Vienna. Vienna offers a meaningful advantage on everyday food costs, saving roughly $792/year.
Utility Expenses
Utility costs — electricity, gas, water, internet — index at 92 in Rockford and 98 in Vienna. Monthly utility bills average approximately $368 in Rockford vs $392 in Vienna. Utility costs are relatively comparable between these two cities.
Healthcare
Healthcare costs index at 106 in Rockford and 82 in Vienna. This encompasses insurance premiums, doctor visit copays, dental care, and prescription costs. The 24-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 $48,000 in Vienna. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $67,468 and $54,545 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 $1,120/month in Vienna. In Rockford, median rent of $950/mo fits within this budget. In Vienna, median rent of $1,275/mo pushes past the recommended limit. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Housing, where the gap is 53 index points — focus your budget analysis there.
Frequently Asked Questions
Moving & Relocation Resources
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