Cost of Living: El Paso, TX vs Rockford, IL (2026)

El Paso

Texas
67
VS

Rockford

Illinois
57

El Paso is 18% more expensive than Rockford.

$1,041/mo ↑ 9%
Median Rent
$954/mo ↓ 8%
$58,734/yr ↑ 10%
Median Income
$53,328/yr ↓ 9%
$171,700 ↑ 42%
Home Value
$120,900 ↓ 30%
$1,044/mo ↑ 10%
Owner Costs
$947/mo ↓ 9%
678,147
Population
147,649

Tax Comparison

0%
Income Tax
4.95%
6.25%
State Sales Tax
6.25%
1.6%
Property Tax
2.07%

Affordability

21.3%
rent-to-income
Affordability
21.5%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing El Paso, TX and Rockford, IL, the overall cost of living indices are 67 and 57 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $87/month cheaper in Rockford, saving renters about $1,044/year.

Median household income is $5,406/year higher in El Paso. Home values also differ significantly — the median in El Paso is $171,700 compared to $120,900 in Rockford.

Texas has no state income tax, giving El Paso residents a significant tax advantage over Illinois's 4.95% rate.

Frequently Asked Questions

El Paso vs Rockford — common questions

Is El Paso or Rockford cheaper to live in?
Based on our cost index, Rockford is cheaper to live in with an index of 57 compared to 67 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between El Paso and Rockford?
Median rent in El Paso is $1,041/month and in Rockford it's $954/month — a difference of $87/month.
Which city has higher income, El Paso or Rockford?
Median household income is $58,734 in El Paso and $53,328 in Rockford. Median household income is $5,406/year higher in El Paso.
How do taxes compare between Texas and Illinois?
Texas has 0% income tax, 6.25% sales tax, and 1.6% property tax. Illinois has 4.95% income tax, 6.25% sales tax, and 2.07% property tax.
Should I move to El Paso or Rockford?
It depends on your priorities. El Paso has a cost index of 67 with median rent of $1,041/mo, while Rockford has a cost index of 57 with rent of $954/mo. Consider income potential, tax burden, and lifestyle preferences alongside raw cost data.
View El Paso details → View Rockford details →

More Comparisons

Other cost of living comparisons for El Paso and Rockford

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