Cost of Living: San Antonio, TX vs Rockford, IL (2026)

San Antonio

Texas
82
VS

Rockford

Illinois
57

San Antonio is 44% more expensive than Rockford.

$1,258/mo ↑ 32%
Median Rent
$954/mo ↓ 24%
$62,917/yr ↑ 18%
Median Income
$53,328/yr ↓ 15%
$219,700 ↑ 82%
Home Value
$120,900 ↓ 45%
$1,235/mo ↑ 30%
Owner Costs
$947/mo ↓ 23%
1,458,954
Population
147,649

Tax Comparison

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

Affordability

24.0%
rent-to-income
Affordability
21.5%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing San Antonio, TX and Rockford, IL, the overall cost of living indices are 82 and 57 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $304/month cheaper in Rockford, saving renters about $3,648/year.

Median household income is $9,589/year higher in San Antonio. Home values also differ significantly — the median in San Antonio is $219,700 compared to $120,900 in Rockford.

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

Frequently Asked Questions

San Antonio vs Rockford — common questions

Is San Antonio or Rockford cheaper to live in?
Based on our cost index, Rockford is cheaper to live in with an index of 57 compared to 82 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between San Antonio and Rockford?
Median rent in San Antonio is $1,258/month and in Rockford it's $954/month — a difference of $304/month.
Which city has higher income, San Antonio or Rockford?
Median household income is $62,917 in San Antonio and $53,328 in Rockford. Median household income is $9,589/year higher in San Antonio.
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 San Antonio or Rockford?
It depends on your priorities. San Antonio has a cost index of 82 with median rent of $1,258/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 San Antonio details → View Rockford details →

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