Topeka, KS vs Rockford, IL: Cost of Living

Which city costs less?

Rockford, IL has a modeled overall cost index 17.0% higher than Topeka, KS.

Topeka, KS · modeled 2BR rent
$1,090 / month
Rockford, IL · modeled 2BR rent
$1,110 / month

These are saved estimates, not current rental listings. Some cities use adjusted regional data. Your household budget can differ from the overall index. Sources and assumptions

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Cost of Living Comparison 2026

Compare Topeka, KS and Rockford, IL using saved regional data and explicit budgeting assumptions. Rent estimates are not live listings. Change the salary below, then check the source notes before applying a result to your household.

Saved regional estimates · Sources and assumptions

$
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Estimated extra cost: $1,182/month in Rockford, IL

$150,000 in your current city has a modeled equivalent of $164,184 in Rockford, IL

Regional cost estimates: Topeka, KS uses Kansas City, MO. Rockford, IL uses Madison, WI. Available city ZIP rent estimates are shown separately.
Overall Cost
↑ 17.0%
More expensive
Monthly Impact
$1,182
Extra cost
Annual Impact
$14.2K
Per year

Assumes 60% of current gross income goes to living costs. The headline uses the category budget below; taxes, moving costs and savings goals are excluded.

Topeka, KS

Population:125K
Cost Index:
88.2
100 = national average
Typical Home:$151K

Rockford, IL

Population:146K
Cost Index:
103.2
100 = national average
Typical Home:$158K

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Topeka, KS

The Sunflower State

125K
Population
State Tax
Yes

Located in Kansas, this city has a population of 125K residents.

Rockford, IL

The Prairie State

146K
Population
State Tax
Yes

Located in Illinois, this city has a population of 146K residents.

Cost Breakdown by Category

Estimated monthly spending: Topeka, KS vs Rockford, IL

Assumes 60% of your current gross income is spent on these categories. The headline and totals use this same budget. Rent estimates below are separate reference data. Rounded amounts may differ by $1.

Housing
↑ 31.3%
Topeka, KS
$2,080
Rockford, IL
$2,731
Difference
$651
more
Transportation
↑ 16.1%
Topeka, KS
$1,335
Rockford, IL
$1,550
Difference
$215
more
Other
↑ 11.8%
Topeka, KS
$1,765
Rockford, IL
$1,973
Difference
$208
more
Healthcare
↑ 18.6%
Topeka, KS
$673
Rockford, IL
$798
Difference
$125
more
All Utilities
↓ 5.0%
Topeka, KS
$594
Rockford, IL
$565
Difference
$29.42
less
Groceries
↑ 1.2%
Topeka, KS
$1,053
Rockford, IL
$1,066
Difference
$12.75
more

🏠Rent Comparison

Studio
From$820
To$770
↓ $50.00
1 Bed
From$850
To$850
→ $0
2 Bed
From$1,090
To$1,110
↑ $20.00
3 Bed
From$1,440
To$1,470
↑ $30.00
Topeka, KSZIP-level data

1BR range: $680–$1,230/mo

Rockford, ILZIP-level data

1BR range: $810–$1,130/mo

💡 Note: HUD Fair Market Rents estimate 40th-percentile gross rents, including most tenant-paid utilities. City ZIP summaries are medians of those estimates, not market median rents. Actual prices vary by neighborhood, amenities, and condition. Source: HUD Small Area Fair Market Rents FY2026.

$7,500
Monthly in Topeka, KS
$8,682
Monthly in Rockford, IL
$1,182
Difference

Home Values

Topeka
Rockford
$151K
Median Value
$158K
↓ -1.3%
YoY Change
↑ +8.6%
↑ +43%
5-Year Change
↑ +69.3%
$63K - $374K
Price Range
$102K - $256K

Homes in Rockford are 5% more expensive than Topeka

Calculate payment - TopekaCalculate payment - Rockford

Source: Zillow Home Value Index (ZHVI), January 2026

Tax Comparison

Annual tax burden comparison at $150.0K salary

Tax Savings
↑ $993
Per year
Monthly Difference
$82.75
More take-home
Effective Rate Diff
0.7%
Rate difference

Topeka, KS

Federal Income Tax
Effective: 18.9%
$25.5K
Kansas State Tax
Effective: 5.6%
$8.4K
FICA Taxes
Social Security + Medicare
$11.5K
Total Taxes
Effective: 30.3%
$45.4K
Take-Home Pay
$8,714/month
$104.6K

Rockford, IL

Federal Income Tax
Effective: 18.9%
$25.5K
Illinois State Tax
Effective: 5.0%
$7.4K
FICA Taxes
Social Security + Medicare
$11.5K
Total Taxes
Effective: 29.6%
$44.4K
Take-Home Pay
$8,797/month
$105.6K

Additional Tax Information

Topeka, KS Tax Rates

Sales Tax:8.7%
Property Tax:1.3%

Rockford, IL Tax Rates

Sales Tax:8.8%
Property Tax:2.2%

💡 Note: Tax calculations are estimates based on 2024/2025 tax brackets for single filers with standard deduction. Actual taxes may vary based on filing status, deductions, credits, and local variations.

Environment

Topeka
Rockford
46 Good
Air Quality
42 Good
59.3%
Good Air Days
72.1%
97 High
Climate Risk
94 Moderate
🌊🌡🌪
Top Hazards
🌊🌪💨
▲+3.3°F
2050 Outlook
▲+3.4°F
44 days
Heat Days >95°F
10 days
▲+3.3°F
2050 Outlook
▲+3.4°F
44 days
Heat Days >95°F
10 days

Before moving from Topeka, KS to Rockford, IL

Use this comparison to shortlist a move, then check the costs that depend on your household.

  1. Compare actual homes. Get current quotes in Rockford, IL for the same bedroom count and included utilities as your home in Topeka, KS. Add parking, deposits, insurance and any overlapping leases. The rent estimates above are a starting point, not available listings.
  2. Confirm your income. Check your expected pay with your employer, including any location adjustment. Use “Different salary at destination?” above to compare two incomes. The budget model excludes taxes and one-time moving costs; it is not a take-home-pay calculation.
  3. Price your daily routine. Check the commute from a specific address to work, school or childcare. Add household expenses missing from this model, such as childcare, debt payments and medical needs. Verify local services before signing a lease.
  4. Plan the transition. Get moving quotes and budget for travel, setup costs and time off. Open your Topeka to Rockford moving checklist to organize the tasks and timing.

Still choosing a destination? Explore cities similar to Rockford, IL by cost, housing, population and region.

Frequently Asked Questions: Topeka, KS vs Rockford, IL

How do the cost estimates for Topeka, KS and Rockford, IL compare?

Rockford, IL has a modeled overall cost index 17.0% higher than Topeka, KS. This is a broad model comparison, not a survey of today's prices or a forecast of your household spending. Some cities use adjusted regional fallback data.

What does the equivalent salary mean?

At a $150,000 salary in Topeka, KS, the model estimates $164,184 in Rockford, IL. It allocates 60% of gross income to the origin city’s category budget and applies each destination category’s relative cost. The equivalent salary adds the total category difference to your income. The monthly difference is the same category difference divided by 12; it is not take-home pay or guaranteed savings. Household size, childcare and your actual lease are not inputs to this calculation.

What rent estimates are available for Topeka, KS and Rockford, IL?

The modeled two-bedroom rents are $1,090/month in Topeka, KS and $1,110/month in Rockford, IL. Where available, the source is a city median of HUD FY2026 ZIP-level estimates; otherwise a saved metro table is used. City adjustments may also apply. These are not asking rents or available listings. Compare actual properties with the same bedroom count and included utilities.

How should I use this comparison before moving?

Use it to shortlist locations, then replace modeled costs with a current housing quote, employer-confirmed income, commute costs, insurance and your household's other expenses. Add one-time moving costs separately. Source years differ and the saved datasets are not a live price feed. Read the methodology for the formulas and fallback rules.

💰 See how taxes change too — compare take-home pay between Kansas and Illinois on TaxTakeHome.com

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