Median Age
38 Years
Largest Age Group
10-19 Years
Approximately 14% of Residents
Under 20
26%
Over 65
19%
Rockford, IL
Area Guide
Avg Rent
$1,016
Population
149,127
Renter Mix
47% Rent
A historic industrial powerhouse reborn as a modern city pursuing revitalization
Affordable
•
Live Music
•
Airport
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
Demographics
Median Household Income
$46,532
Average: $65,004
Education
27,699
Residents Have a Degree
Job Market
65,771
Workers Employed
Age Distribution
Get a sense of this area's population profile.
Housing Distribution
Rockford has more homeowners than renters.
Renters
47%
Non-Renters
53%
Education Distribution
Review this city's overall education levels.
Bachelor's or Higher
14%
Other Education
86%
Rent Trends
As of May 2026, the average apartment rent in Rockford, IL is $924 for a studio, $1,014 for one bedroom, $1,274 for two bedrooms, and $1,516 for three bedrooms. Apartment rent in Rockford has increased by 4.9% in the past year.
Property Type
Average Rent
Average Sq Ft
Apartment
$1,014/month
615 Sq Ft
House
$1,667/month
863 Sq Ft
Cost of Living
The cost of living in Rockford, IL is 8.6% lower than the national average. Generally, housing in Rockford is 24.1% less expensive than the national average, with rent falling between $924 - $1,516. You can expect to pay 0.9% less for groceries, 8.0% less for utilities, and 1.0% more for transportation.
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Getting Around
Explore how walkable, bikeable, drivable, and transit-friendly Rockford, IL is for everyday living.
Fairly Walkable
Walkability
40
/ 100
Limited Public Transit
Transit
30
/ 100
Exceptionally Drivable
Drivability
100
/ 100
Fairly Bikeable
Bikeability
40
/ 100
Scores provided by
Schools
Public
Grades K-5
374 Students
Public
Grades K-8
514 Students
Public
Grades K-5
301 Students
Public
Grades K-5
673 Students
Public
Grades K-5
482 Students
Public
Grades K-8
514 Students
Public
Grades PK-8
660 Students
Barbour Two-Way Lang Immersion
Public
Grades K-8
628 Students
Legacy Academy Of Excellence Charter School
Public
Grades K-12
234 Students
Public
Grades 6-8
791 Students
Legacy Academy Of Excellence Charter School
Public
Grades K-12
234 Students
Public
Grades 9-12
2,026 Students
Public
Grades 9-12
2,023 Students
Public
Grades 9-12
1,748 Students
Public
Grades 9-12
1,598 Students
School data provided by
The GreatSchools Rating helps parents compare schools within a state based on a variety of school quality indicators and provides a helpful picture of how effectively each school serves all of its students. Ratings are on a scale of 1 (below average) to 10 (above average) and can include test scores, college readiness, academic progress, advanced courses, equity, discipline and attendance data. We also advise parents to visit schools, consider other information on school performance and programs, and consider family needs as part of the school selection process.
View GreatSchools Rating Methodology
Data provided by
GreatSchools.org
© 2026. All rights reserved.
The GreatSchools Rating helps parents compare schools within a state based on a variety of school quality indicators and provides a helpful picture of how effectively each school serves all of its students. Ratings are on a scale of 1 (below average) to 10 (above average) and can include test scores, college readiness, academic progress, advanced courses, equity, discipline and attendance data. We also advise parents to visit schools, consider other information on school performance and programs, and consider family needs as part of the school selection process.
View GreatSchools Rating Methodology
Data provided by
GreatSchools.org
© 2026. All rights reserved.
Points of Interest
Shopping Centers
Parks and Recreation
- Klehm Arboretum & Botanic Garden
- Carl & Lois Klehm Preserve
- Tinker Swiss Cottage & Gardens
- Discovery Center Museum
- Burpee Museum of Natural History
Commuter Rail
Airports
- Chicago/Rockford International
Top Apartments in Rockford
Houses for Rent in Rockford
Property Management Companies in Rockford, IL
Becovic
-
14
Communities
-
1,424
Units
-
6
Cities
5 Communities in Rockford
LV Property Management
-
18
Communities
-
3,237
Units
-
8
Cities
4 Communities in Rockford
Edward Rose & Sons
-
136
Communities
-
69,964
Units
-
84
Cities
2 Communities in Rockford
Haley Communities
-
42
Communities
-
8,929
Units
-
35
Cities
1 Community in Rockford
Pivotal Housing Partners
-
15
Communities
-
882
Units
-
15
Cities
1 Community in Rockford
Capital Realty Group, Inc.
-
11
Communities
-
1,657
Units
-
11
Cities
1 Community in Rockford
Living in Rockford
Search Nearby Rentals
Nearby City Rentals
Nearby Neighborhood Rentals
Nearby House Rentals
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 February 2026.
Demographic information comes from Neustar and combines detailed address data with U.S. Census and American Community Survey statistics to produce reliable local estimates.