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City Report · IL

Rockford

Pop. 147,521·122nd most expensive in Illinois·Rockford rents are up 8.6% over the past year
Median rent (all units)
$1,204/mo
Year-over-Year
+8.6%
Month-over-Month
-0.3%
vs US Median
-$758
Stable (Monthly)
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Most AffordableMost Expensive
Rockford · $1,204
More affordable than 92% of US cities · National median $1,962/mo
Rent Reality Score
41/100
Fairly priced
OverheatedFairGreat value

Rents are 5% above what Rockford's 10-year trend predicts — running hotter than its own history.

Actual rent
$1,204/mo
Expected by trend
$1,152/mo
The Rent Reality Score compares today's median rent to where Rockford's own long-run trajectory projects it should be. See the full rankings →
Medians by bedroom

Rent by unit size

Studio
$778
1 BR
$866
2 BR
$1,132
3 BR
$1,496
4 BR+
$1,538
Fair Market Rent (HUD)
$1,132/mo

These are HUD Fair Market Rents, the payment standard for a Housing Choice Voucher (Section 8). They often differ from the $1,204 market median above, and that is expected: FMR is the 40th percentile of standard-quality units and counts gross rent, so it includes essential utilities such as electricity, water, gas, sewer, and trash. The market median is asking rent, which usually excludes utilities. HUD sets FMR once a year; market rent here updates monthly.

Source: HUD Small Area Fair Market Rents. Read the methodology →

Rent trends

12-month history

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Last updated: August 17, 2026

Annual cost
$14,448/yr
At $1,204/mo median
Rent Market Meter
Strong Landlord's Market
Renter's MarketBalancedLandlord's Market
Rents are up 8.6% year-over-year. Expect competition, and move quickly to lock in terms.
Based on rent-price momentum (+8.6% YoY, -0.3% MoM), not inventory.
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Demographics

Who lives here

Rockford, IL is roughly split between renters and owners, has a median income below the national average, 23.5% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

Population
147,521
Median income
$54,752
Median age
37.7
Renters
45.1%
Age distribution
24.2%
22.6%
23.2%
12.3%
17.8%
Under 1824.2%
18–3422.6%
35–5423.2%
55–6412.3%
65+17.8%
Gender
48.5%
51.5%
Male48.5%
Female51.5%
Race & ethnicity
52.6%
19.9%
21.6%
White52.6%
Black19.9%
Hispanic21.6%
Asian3.7%
Other2.2%
Education (25+)
15.1%
30.4%
31%
23.5%
No HS diploma15.1%
HS diploma30.4%
Some college31%
Bachelor's+23.5%
Housing tenure
54.9%
45.1%
Owner54.9%
Renter45.1%

Source: U.S. Census Bureau · ACS 2024 5-Year Estimates

2021 vs 2026

How Rockford, IL has changed in 5 years

Rent
$830 → $1,204
up 45.1%
Income
$47,002 → $54,752
up 16.5%
Population
148,942 → 147,521
down 1.0%
Renter share
46.2% → 45.1%
-1.1 pts
Bachelor's+
22.2% → 23.5%
+1.3 pts

Rent in Rockford, IL has increased 45.1% since 2021, going from about $830 per month to roughly $1,204 today. Household income in the area moved from $47,002 to $54,752 across the same window, up 16.5% versus 2021. Rent outpaced income growth by roughly 28.6 percentage points, which means renters are spending a larger slice of each paycheck on housing than they did in 2021. Headcount in the area went from 148,942 to 147,521 between 2021 and 2024, a 1.0% change. Reading these numbers side by side helps frame whether current listings in Rockford, IL look reasonable against where the market sat half a decade ago.

Community

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View Rockford rent history (2015–2026) →
Salary vs rent

Can you afford rent in Rockford on your salary?

At $1,204/mo, how Rockford rent compares to typical pay (30% rule).

By apartment size

Rockford rent by bedroom count

Median rent for each apartment size in Rockford. Click any size for full breakdown.

Local insights

Tips for renters in Rockford

About renting in Rockford, IL

Last updated: August 17, 2026

The median rent in Rockford is $1,204/mo as of August 2026. A studio apartment averages $778/mo while a 2-bedroom runs $1,132/mo. One-bedroom apartments average $866/mo and 3-bedroom units go for $1,496/mo.

At 26% of local median household income ($54,752/yr), Rockford ranks as affordable compared to the national benchmark of 30%. Rents have increased 8.6% over the past year.

FAQ

Frequently asked questions

Is Rockford an affordable city for renters?

Rockford is considered affordable for renters. At $1,204/mo, rent takes approximately 26% of the local median household income ($54,752/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%. Rockford falls comfortably within that range.

How much income do you need to rent in Rockford?

To keep rent at or below 30% of gross income, you would need to earn at least $48,000/year (~$23/hour full-time) to afford the median rent of $1,204/mo in Rockford. The local median household income is $54,752/yr, meaning the typical Rockford household meets that threshold.

Is rent going up or down in Rockford?

Rent in Rockford has increased 8.6% over the past year as of August 2026, putting upward pressure on renter budgets.

Which Rockford neighborhoods have the lowest rent?

The most affordable ZIP codes in Rockford are 61103 ($1,021/mo), 61104 ($1,088/mo), and 61101 ($1,275/mo). Citywide, the median rent in Rockford is $1,204/mo.

How does Rockford rent compare to other cities in Illinois?

Rockford is one of the more affordable cities in Illinois for rent, ranking #122 out of 142 tracked cities at $1,204/mo.

What percentage of Rockford residents rent vs. own?

According to Census data, approximately 45.1% of Rockford households are renters, while 54.9% are owner-occupied. Rockford leans toward homeownership, which can mean a smaller rental inventory.

How does Rockford rent compare to the national average?

Rockford's median rent of $1,204/mo is $758 (39%) below the US national median of $1,962/mo. Within Illinois, it ranks #122 out of 142 tracked cities.
Income Affordability
26%
AFFORDABLE

At $1,204/mo, rent takes ~26% of Rockford's median household income ($54,752/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%.

Rockford 26%Benchmark 30%
State income tax4.95%
Run the Rockford affordability calculator →
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Neighborhoods

Estimated from ZIP-level data

Schools nearby

Public schools near Rockford, IL

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