CostIndexUSA

Jackson, MS vs Rockford, IL Cost of Living

Data: BEA Regional Price Parities · Census ACS · 2024

More AffordableMS
Jackson
89
overall index
$1,500/mo rent
IL
Rockford
92.2
overall index
$1,200/mo rent

Jackson is slightly cheaper than Rockford — 3.6% lower overall cost of living.

To match an $80,000 salary in Jackson, you would need $82,900 in Rockford. Calculate your salary ↓

Category Breakdown

Index values: 100 = U.S. national average. Higher = more expensive.

🏠 Housing+8.2%
Jackson
64.8
Rockford
70.1
🛒 Groceries2.7%
Jackson
96.2
Rockford
93.6
🚗 Transportation+3.7%
Jackson
100.9
Rockford
104.6
🏥 Healthcare+3.6%
Jackson
91.3
Rockford
94.6
Utilities+14.5%
Jackson
78.1
Rockford
89.4

Salary Equivalency Calculator

Enter your current salary in Jackson to see what you'd need to earn in Rockford to maintain the same purchasing power.

$
Equivalent salary in Rockford, IL
$82,900
$2,900 more needed in Rockford

Formula: salary × (92.2 ÷ 89) = salary × 1.0360. Based on BEA Regional Price Parities.

Housing Market

Jackson, MS

Median Home Price
$205,000
Median Monthly Rent
$1,500
Housing Index
64.8
Price-to-Rent Ratio
11.4×

Rockford, IL

Median Home Price
$206,000
Median Monthly Rent
$1,200
Housing Index
70.1
Price-to-Rent Ratio
14.3×

Rockford has 8.2% higher housing costs compared to Jackson.

Income & Job Market

Jackson, MS

Median Household Income
$58,600
Per Capita Income
$33,400
Unemployment Rate
5.1%
Population
153,701
Top Industries
GovernmentHealthcareRetailManufacturingEducation

Rockford, IL

Median Household Income
$67,000
Per Capita Income
$38,200
Unemployment Rate
5.8%
Population
148,123
Top Industries
ManufacturingHealthcareFinanceRetailEducation

Affordability at a Glance

Income-to-rent ratio: higher is better (more income relative to housing costs).

Jackson, MS
3.3×income-to-rent ratio

69% of income left after rent (median)

Rockford, IL
4.7×income-to-rent ratio

79% of income left after rent (median)

Data Sources: Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA) Regional Price Parities 2024; U.S. Census Bureau American Community Survey (ACS); Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) Local Area Unemployment Statistics; Zillow Research.

Cost indices use 100 as the U.S. national average. Values above 100 indicate costs above the national average. Data is updated annually.

This data is for informational purposes only and should not be used as the sole basis for relocation or financial decisions.