CostIndexUSA

Monroe, LA vs Rockford, IL Cost of Living

Data: BEA Regional Price Parities · Census ACS · 2024

More AffordableLA
Monroe
83.6
overall index
$1,100/mo rent
IL
Rockford
92.2
overall index
$1,200/mo rent

Monroe is moderately cheaper than Rockford — 10.3% lower overall cost of living.

To match an $80,000 salary in Monroe, you would need $88,200 in Rockford. Calculate your salary ↓

Category Breakdown

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

🏠 Housing+63.8%
Monroe
42.8
Rockford
70.1
🛒 Groceries≈ Equal
Monroe
93.7
Rockford
93.6
🚗 Transportation+4.1%
Monroe
100.5
Rockford
104.6
🏥 Healthcare+4.1%
Monroe
90.9
Rockford
94.6
Utilities+23.8%
Monroe
72.2
Rockford
89.4

Salary Equivalency Calculator

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

$
Equivalent salary in Rockford, IL
$88,200
$8,200 more needed in Rockford

Formula: salary × (92.2 ÷ 83.6) = salary × 1.1029. Based on BEA Regional Price Parities.

Housing Market

Monroe, LA

Median Home Price
$157,000
Median Monthly Rent
$1,100
Housing Index
42.8
Price-to-Rent Ratio
11.9×

Rockford, IL

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

Rockford has 63.8% higher housing costs compared to Monroe.

Income & Job Market

Monroe, LA

Median Household Income
$50,300
Per Capita Income
$28,700
Unemployment Rate
7.3%
Population
47,252
Top Industries
HealthcareEducationManufacturingGovernmentRetail

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).

Monroe, LA
3.8×income-to-rent ratio

74% 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.