City Comparison

Rockford vs Warwick

Cost of Living Comparison · 2026

Rockford

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

Warwick

Rhode Island
106
Above Average
$413,000
Median Home
$1,425/mo
Median Rent
$74,600
Median Income

The Verdict

25.5%

Living in Rockford costs 25.5% less than Warwick. To match the purchasing power of a $75,000 salary in Rockford, you would need $100,633 in Warwick.

Category-by-Category Breakdown

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

Housing
52
Rockford
127
Warwick
Groceries
99
Rockford
102
Warwick
Utilities
92
Rockford
112
Warwick
Transportation
101
Rockford
105
Warwick
Healthcare
106
Rockford
103
Warwick

Salary Equivalence

A $75,000 salary in Rockford has the same purchasing power as $100,633 in Warwick.

Conversely, $75,000 in Warwick equals $55,896 in Rockford.

Living in Rockford vs Warwick

Housing Costs

Rockford's housing index of 52 is lower Warwick's 127, translating to median home prices of $155,000 vs $413,000. The $258,000 difference in home prices means roughly $16,776 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $950/mo in Rockford compared to $1,425/mo in Warwick, a monthly difference of $475.

Grocery & Food Costs

Grocery expenses index at 99 in Rockford and 102 in Warwick. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $470/month in Rockford vs $485/month in Warwick. 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 112 in Warwick. Monthly utility bills average approximately $368 in Rockford vs $448 in Warwick. Climate differences between the two cities drive much of this gap, with heating and cooling costs varying substantially by region.

Healthcare

Healthcare costs index at 106 in Rockford and 103 in Warwick. 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 $74,600 in Warwick. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $67,468 and $70,377 respectively. Warwick residents come out ahead in real purchasing power.

Relocation Considerations

Under the standard 28% rule, a median-income household can allocate $1,244/month to housing in Rockford vs $1,741/month in Warwick. In Rockford, median rent of $950/mo fits within this budget. In Warwick, median rent of $1,425/mo remains manageable. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Housing, where the gap is 75 index points — focus your budget analysis there.

Frequently Asked Questions

Rockford is 25.5% more affordable overall with an index of 79 vs 106.
A $75,000 salary in Rockford has equivalent purchasing power to approximately $100,633 in Warwick, based on the cost of living difference.
Rockford's housing index is 52 with median homes at $155,000, while Warwick's is 127 with median homes at $413,000.

Moving & Relocation Resources

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