Studio Apartment Rent in Rockford, IL
Median asking rent for a studio apartment in Rockford, Illinois as of October 2026. That's +37% lower than the citywide median of $1,227 and +40% below the national studio median of $1,290.
Income needed for a studio 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 studio at the current median rent.
Rent by apartment size in Rockford
Compare Rockford's median rent across every apartment size.
Cheapest cities for a studio in Illinois
| # | City | Studio rent |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Carbondale | $447 |
| 2 | Dixon | $610 |
| 3 | Charleston | $640 |
| 4 | Quincy | $650 |
| 5 | Pekin | $660 |
| 6 | East Peoria | $670 |
| 7 | Rock Island | $680 |
| 8 | Danville | $690 |
| 9 | Moline | $700 |
| 10 | Peoria Heights | $700 |
| 11 | Normal | $720 |
| 12 | Peoria | $738 |
| 13 | Springfield | $750 |
| 14 | Washington | $750 |
| 15 | Decatur | $760 |
Most expensive cities for a studio in Illinois
| # | City | Studio rent |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Morton Grove | $2,190 |
| 2 | Lake Forest | $2,190 |
| 3 | Deerfield | $2,190 |
| 4 | Wilmette | $2,100 |
| 5 | Buffalo Grove | $2,100 |
| 6 | Highland Park | $2,060 |
| 7 | Plainfield | $2,015 |
| 8 | Naperville | $1,978 |
| 9 | Vernon Hills | $1,970 |
| 10 | Streamwood | $1,970 |
| 11 | Northbrook | $1,960 |
| 12 | Bolingbrook | $1,925 |
| 13 | Romeoville | $1,910 |
| 14 | Elmhurst | $1,910 |
| 15 | Geneva | $1,900 |
Nearby cities — studio rent
Considering nearby alternatives? 1 of these cities have cheaper studio rents than Rockford.
| City | Distance | Studio rent | vs Rockford |
|---|---|---|---|
| Machesney Park, IL | 5.3 mi | $940 | +$162 (+21%) |
| Beloit, WI | 17.9 mi | $800 | +$22 (+3%) |
| Janesville, WI | 28.6 mi | $820 | +$42 (+5%) |
| Sycamore, IL | 34.1 mi | $970 | +$192 (+25%) |
| Dekalb, IL | 34.3 mi | $900 | +$122 (+16%) |
| Woodstock, IL | 41.9 mi | $1,340 | +$562 (+72%) |
| Dixon, IL | 43.2 mi | $610 | $-168 (-22%) |
| Crystal Lake, IL | 51 mi | $1,480 | +$702 (+90%) |
| Lake in the Hills, IL | 51.6 mi | $1,760 | +$982 (+126%) |
| McHenry, IL | 53.1 mi | $1,580 | +$802 (+103%) |
| West Dundee, IL | 54 mi | $1,450 | +$672 (+86%) |
| Elgin, IL | 54.6 mi | $1,620 | +$842 (+108%) |
Studio rent in Rockford — common questions
How much is a studio apartment in Rockford?
As of October 2026, the median studio apartment rent in Rockford, Illinois is $778 per month. This is +37% below the citywide median of $1,227.
What income do you need to afford a studio in Rockford?
Using the standard 30% rent-to-income rule, you would need an annual income of about $31,120 ($2,593/month gross), which works out to roughly $14.96/hour at a full-time job.
Is Rockford expensive for a studio compared to the rest of the US?
Rockford's studio median of $778 is +40% below the national studio median of $1,290. It ranks in the 8th percentile of US cities tracked.
How does Rockford rank for studio rent in Illinois?
Among the 136 cities in Illinois with studio data, Rockford ranks #18 from cheapest to most expensive.
Are there cheaper studio options near Rockford?
Yes — nearby cities with cheaper studio rents include Dixon ($610).