Rockford vs Huntsville: Cost of Living Comparison
How does the cost of living in Rockford, Illinois compare to Huntsville, Alabama? Below is a side-by-side breakdown of housing costs, income, wages, and taxes using official government data.
Summary: Rockford is the more affordable city overall. Housing costs are 52% lower in Rockford compared to Huntsville, while rent is 11% lower. State income tax is 4.95% in IL vs 5% in AL.
| Metric | Rockford, IL | Huntsville, AL | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Housing | |||
| Median Home Value | $114,100 | $236,300 | -51.7% |
| Median Monthly Rent | $906 | $1,020 | -11.2% |
| Income | |||
| Median Household Income | $50,744 | $67,874 | -25.2% |
| Per Capita Income | $29,187 | $43,202 | -32.4% |
| Taxes | |||
| State Income Tax Rate | 5.0% | 5.0% | -1.0% |
| Combined Sales Tax | 8.8% | 9.2% | -4.2% |
| Demographics | |||
| Population | 148,173 | 215,025 | -31.1% |
Source: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-Year Estimates (2022), Freddie Mac Primary Mortgage Market Survey. State/local tax rates from Tax Foundation (2024).
Rent vs. Buy Calculator — Rockford
Default home price from Census ACS median. Mortgage rate: 6.38% (Freddie Mac PMMS, March 2026). Property tax est. 1.1%, insurance est. 0.35% of home value annually.
Rent vs. Buy Calculator — Huntsville
Default home price from Census ACS median. Mortgage rate: 6.38% (Freddie Mac PMMS, March 2026). Property tax est. 1.1%, insurance est. 0.35% of home value annually.
Key Takeaways
- Housing: The median home in Rockford costs $114,100 compared to $236,300 in Huntsville — a 52% discount.
- Rent: Median rent is $906/mo in Rockford vs $1,020/mo in Huntsville.
- Income: Median household income is $50,744 in Rockford and $67,874 in Huntsville.
- Taxes: State income tax is 4.95% in Illinois vs 5% in Alabama.
Methodology
This comparison uses data from the U.S. Census Bureau American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates (2022) for median household income, median home value, median gross rent, per capita income, and population. State and local tax rates are sourced from the Tax Foundation. Mortgage rates are from the Freddie Mac Primary Mortgage Market Survey (updated weekly).