Rockford

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Rockford, IL

Area Guide

A historic industrial powerhouse reborn as a modern city pursuing revitalization

Affordable Live Music Airport Museums Nature

Rockford, Illinois combines city living with natural surroundings along the Rock River. The city's rental market remains budget-friendly, with one-bedroom apartments renting for $956, showing a 5.9% increase over the past year. Two-bedroom units average $1,204, while three-bedroom homes typically rent for $1,382. The historic downtown district features converted loft apartments in restored buildings, while the established east side neighborhoods offer a mix of single-family homes and apartment communities.

True to its "Forest City" nickname, Rockford features extensive parkland and mature trees throughout its residential areas. Anderson Japanese Gardens, ranked among North America's premier Japanese gardens, provides a peaceful retreat within the city. Cultural landmarks include the restored Coronado Performing Arts Center, an atmospheric 1927 theater hosting national touring acts and local performances, and the Burpee Museum of Natural History, featuring "Jane," one of the most complete juvenile T-Rex specimens ever discovered. Rock Valley College and Rockford University contribute to the city's educational landscape, while SwedishAmerican, OSF Saint Anthony Medical Center, and Mercyhealth serve the community's healthcare needs. The city's manufacturing legacy has expanded to include thriving aerospace and healthcare sectors.

Explore the City

A lotus blooms at Anderson Japanese Gardens in Rockford

The historic SYMBOL sculpture in Rockford was built in 1834

Rent Trends

As of November 2025, the average apartment rent in Rockford, IL is $911 for a studio, $1,004 for one bedroom, $1,239 for two bedrooms, and $1,445 for three bedrooms. Apartment rent in Rockford has increased by 5.7% in the past year.

Property Type
Average Rent
Average Sq Ft
Apartment
$1,004/month
623 Sq Ft
House
$1,569/month
847 Sq Ft
Townhome
$1,462/month
861 Sq Ft
See Rental Market Trends in Rockford, IL

Cost of Living

The cost of living in Rockford, IL is 10.0% lower than the national average. Generally, housing in Rockford is 27.6% less expensive than the national average, with rent falling between $911 - $1,445. You can expect to pay 1.4% less for groceries, 7.6% less for utilities, and 3.6% more for transportation.

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Transportation

45

Car-Dependent

out of 100 WalkScore® Rating

This area is considered a car-dependent area and most errands will require a car.

44

Somewhat Bikeable

out of 100 BikeScore® Rating

You might be able to find places to ride your bike in this area, but you’ll most likely want your car for most errands.

Schools

Thurgood Marshall Elementary

Public

Grades 1-4

365 Students

Thurgood Marshall School

Public

Grades 5-8

482 Students

Brookview Elementary School

Public

Grades K-5

470 Students

Haskell Academy

Public

Grades K-5

278 Students

White Swan Elementary School

Public

Grades K-5

639 Students

Thurgood Marshall School

Public

Grades 5-8

482 Students

Barbour Two-Way Lang Immersion

Public

Grades K-8

636 Students

Montessori Elementary School

Public

Grades PK-8

610 Students

Abraham Lincoln Middle School

Public

Grades 6-8

699 Students

Eisenhower Middle School

Public

Grades 6-8

961 Students

Guilford High School

Public

Grades 9-12

2,071 Students

Auburn High School

Public

Grades 9-12

1,936 Students

Jefferson High School

Public

Grades 9-12

2,114 Students

Rockford East High School

Public

Grades 9-12

1,718 Students

Points of Interest

Parks and Recreation

  • Klehm Arboretum & Botanic Garden
  • Carl & Lois Klehm Preserve
  • Tinker Swiss Cottage & Gardens
  • Discovery Center Museum
  • Burpee Museum of Natural History

Airports

  • Chicago/Rockford International

Top Apartments in Rockford

Houses for Rent in Rockford

Property Management Companies in Rockford, IL

Living in Rockford

Restaurants

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Rockford offers several terrific restaurants, from Japanese to Italian cuisine. Places like Shogun, Spider Sushi, and Ciao Bella provide excellent meals at affordable prices. Rockford also hosts an emerging craft brewery scene, with bars opening all over town. Be sure to visit Carlyle, Kryptonite, and Pig Minds. Many places also offer live music, especially on weekends.

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Methodology

† Our analysis of utilities, groceries, transportation, healthcare, home prices, and other goods and services is sourced from the Cost of Living Index, a respected benchmark published by the Council for Community and Economic Research (C2ER) that provides a thorough overview of living expenses across different regions.

Rent data is provided by CoStar Group’s Market Trend reports. As the industry leader in commercial real estate information, analytics, and news, CoStar conducts extensive research to produce and maintain a comprehensive database of commercial real estate information. We combine this data with public record to provide the most up-to-date rental information available.

Consumer goods, services, and home prices are sourced from the Cost of Living Index published by the Council for Community and Economic Research (C2ER). The data on this page is updated quarterly. It was last published in November 2025.