1-Bedroom Apartment Rent in Rockford, IL
Median asking rent for a 1-bedroom apartment in Rockford, Illinois as of July 2026. That's +28% lower than the citywide median of $1,208 and +38% below the national 1-bedroom median of $1,395.
Income needed for a 1-bedroom in Rockford
Using the standard 30% rent-to-income guideline (the threshold above which households are considered rent-burdened), here's what you need to earn to comfortably afford a 1-bedroom at the current median rent.
Rent by apartment size in Rockford
Compare Rockford's median rent across every apartment size.
Cheapest cities for a 1-bedroom in Illinois
| # | City | 1-Bedroom rent |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Rantoul | $646 |
| 2 | Round Lake Beach | $650 |
| 3 | Charleston | $720 |
| 4 | Pekin | $720 |
| 5 | Quincy | $730 |
| 6 | Macomb | $740 |
| 7 | Danville | $770 |
| 8 | Dixon | $770 |
| 9 | Marion | $780 |
| 10 | Normal | $790 |
| 11 | Carbondale | $800 |
| 12 | Decatur | $800 |
| 13 | Rock Island | $800 |
| 14 | Peoria | $813 |
| 15 | Moline | $820 |
Most expensive cities for a 1-bedroom in Illinois
| # | City | 1-Bedroom rent |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Morton Grove | $2,340 |
| 2 | Lake Forest | $2,340 |
| 3 | Deerfield | $2,340 |
| 4 | Barrington | $2,340 |
| 5 | Wilmette | $2,240 |
| 6 | Buffalo Grove | $2,240 |
| 7 | Highland Park | $2,210 |
| 8 | Plainfield | $2,155 |
| 9 | Naperville | $2,113 |
| 10 | Vernon Hills | $2,110 |
| 11 | Streamwood | $2,110 |
| 12 | Northbrook | $2,100 |
| 13 | Bartlett | $2,070 |
| 14 | Bolingbrook | $2,060 |
| 15 | Romeoville | $2,050 |
Nearby cities — 1-bedroom rent
Considering nearby alternatives? 2 of these cities have cheaper 1-bedroom rents than Rockford.
| City | Distance | 1-Bedroom rent | vs Rockford |
|---|---|---|---|
| Machesney Park, IL | 5.3 mi | $1,040 | +$174 (+20%) |
| Beloit, WI | 17.9 mi | $850 | $-16 (-2%) |
| Janesville, WI | 28.6 mi | $880 | +$14 (+2%) |
| Sycamore, IL | 34.1 mi | $1,080 | +$214 (+25%) |
| Dekalb, IL | 34.3 mi | $1,000 | +$134 (+15%) |
| Woodstock, IL | 41.9 mi | $1,430 | +$564 (+65%) |
| Dixon, IL | 43.2 mi | $770 | $-96 (-11%) |
| Crystal Lake, IL | 51 mi | $1,590 | +$724 (+84%) |
| Lake in the Hills, IL | 51.6 mi | $1,890 | +$1,024 (+118%) |
| McHenry, IL | 53.1 mi | $1,690 | +$824 (+95%) |
| West Dundee, IL | 54 mi | $1,550 | +$684 (+79%) |
| Elgin, IL | 54.6 mi | $1,730 | +$864 (+100%) |
1-Bedroom rent in Rockford — common questions
How much is a 1-bedroom apartment in Rockford?
As of July 2026, the median 1-bedroom apartment rent in Rockford, Illinois is $866 per month. This is +28% below the citywide median of $1,208.
What income do you need to afford a 1-bedroom in Rockford?
Using the standard 30% rent-to-income rule, you would need an annual income of about $34,640 ($2,887/month gross), which works out to roughly $16.65/hour at a full-time job.
Is Rockford expensive for a 1-bedroom compared to the rest of the US?
Rockford's 1-bedroom median of $866 is +38% below the national 1-bedroom median of $1,395. It ranks in the 10th percentile of US cities tracked.
How does Rockford rank for 1-bedroom rent in Illinois?
Among the 141 cities in Illinois with 1-bedroom data, Rockford ranks #21 from cheapest to most expensive.
Are there cheaper 1-bedroom options near Rockford?
Yes — nearby cities with cheaper 1-bedroom rents include Beloit ($850), Dixon ($770).