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

Oakland

California
195
VS

Rockford

Illinois
57

Oakland is 242% more expensive than Rockford.

$1,917/mo ↑ 101%
Median Rent
$954/mo ↓ 50%
$97,369/yr ↑ 83%
Median Income
$53,328/yr ↓ 45%
$924,700 ↑ 665%
Home Value
$120,900 ↓ 87%
$2,164/mo ↑ 129%
Owner Costs
$947/mo ↓ 56%
438,072
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

23.6%
rent-to-income
Affordability
21.5%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing Oakland, CA and Rockford, IL, the overall cost of living indices are 195 and 57 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $963/month cheaper in Rockford, saving renters about $11,556/year.

Median household income is $44,041/year higher in Oakland. Home values also differ significantly — the median in Oakland is $924,700 compared to $120,900 in Rockford.

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

Frequently Asked Questions

Oakland vs Rockford — common questions

Is Oakland or Rockford cheaper to live in?
Based on our cost index, Rockford is cheaper to live in with an index of 57 compared to 195 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between Oakland and Rockford?
Median rent in Oakland is $1,917/month and in Rockford it's $954/month — a difference of $963/month.
Which city has higher income, Oakland or Rockford?
Median household income is $97,369 in Oakland and $53,328 in Rockford. Median household income is $44,041/year higher in Oakland.
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 Oakland or Rockford?
It depends on your priorities. Oakland has a cost index of 195 with median rent of $1,917/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 Oakland details → View Rockford details →

More Comparisons

Other cost of living comparisons for Oakland and Rockford

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