Rockford vs Wilmington
Cost of Living Comparison · 2026
Rockford
Wilmington
The Verdict
Rockford is 23.3% less expensive than Wilmington overall. A household earning $75,000 in Rockford would need approximately $97,785 in Wilmington 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 $97,785 in Wilmington.
Conversely, $75,000 in Wilmington equals $57,524 in Rockford.
Living in Rockford vs Wilmington
Housing Costs
Rockford's housing index of 52 is lower Wilmington's 108, translating to median home prices of $155,000 vs $320,000. The $165,000 difference in home prices means roughly $10,728 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $950/mo in Rockford compared to $1,400/mo in Wilmington, a monthly difference of $450.
Grocery & Food Costs
Grocery expenses index at 99 in Rockford and 101 in Wilmington. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $470/month in Rockford vs $480/month in Wilmington. 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 Wilmington. Monthly utility bills average approximately $368 in Rockford vs $376 in Wilmington. Utility costs are relatively comparable between these two cities.
Healthcare
Healthcare costs index at 106 in Rockford and 106 in Wilmington. 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 $48,432 in Wilmington. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $67,468 and $47,021 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 $1,130/month in Wilmington. In Rockford, median rent of $950/mo fits within this budget. In Wilmington, median rent of $1,400/mo pushes past the recommended limit. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Housing, where the gap is 56 index points — focus your budget analysis there.
Frequently Asked Questions
Moving & Relocation Resources
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