Cost of Living: Long Beach, CA vs Rockford, IL (2026)

Long Beach

California
169
VS

Rockford

Illinois
57

Long Beach is 196% more expensive than Rockford.

$1,803/mo ↑ 89%
Median Rent
$954/mo ↓ 47%
$83,969/yr ↑ 57%
Median Income
$53,328/yr ↓ 36%
$762,200 ↑ 530%
Home Value
$120,900 ↓ 84%
$1,890/mo ↑ 100%
Owner Costs
$947/mo ↓ 50%
458,491
Population
147,649

Tax Comparison

13.3%
Income Tax
4.95%
7.25%
State Sales Tax
6.25%
0.71%
Property Tax
2.07%

Affordability

25.8%
rent-to-income
Affordability
21.5%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing Long Beach, CA and Rockford, IL, the overall cost of living indices are 169 and 57 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $849/month cheaper in Rockford, saving renters about $10,188/year.

Median household income is $30,641/year higher in Long Beach. Home values also differ significantly — the median in Long Beach is $762,200 compared to $120,900 in Rockford.

Illinois has a lower income tax rate, making Rockford slightly more tax-friendly.

Frequently Asked Questions

Long Beach vs Rockford — common questions

Is Long Beach or Rockford cheaper to live in?
Based on our cost index, Rockford is cheaper to live in with an index of 57 compared to 169 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between Long Beach and Rockford?
Median rent in Long Beach is $1,803/month and in Rockford it's $954/month — a difference of $849/month.
Which city has higher income, Long Beach or Rockford?
Median household income is $83,969 in Long Beach and $53,328 in Rockford. Median household income is $30,641/year higher in Long Beach.
How do taxes compare between California and Illinois?
California has 13.3% income tax, 7.25% sales tax, and 0.71% property tax. Illinois has 4.95% income tax, 6.25% sales tax, and 2.07% property tax.
Should I move to Long Beach or Rockford?
It depends on your priorities. Long Beach has a cost index of 169 with median rent of $1,803/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 Long Beach details → View Rockford details →

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