Chicago vs Rockford
Side-by-side rent vs buy analysis comparing these two markets
Overall Comparison
Rockford has an edge
Rockford shows stronger fundamentals for buying with a 5-year break-even point.
Median Home Price
$314,516.51
Median Rent
$2,113.41/mo
Price-to-Rent RatioBETTER
12.4
Property Tax RateTIE
2.27%
Price Change (1Y)
+2.9%
Price Change (5Y)
+14.4%
Break-Even Years
N/A
10-Year Wealth Difference
$90,658
Median Home PriceBETTER
$195,413.19
Median RentBETTER
$1,211.55/mo
Price-to-Rent Ratio
13.4
Property Tax RateTIE
2.27%
Price Change (1Y)BETTER
+8.0%
Price Change (5Y)BETTER
+39.8%
Break-Even YearsBETTER
5 years
10-Year Wealth DifferenceBETTER
+$20,428
Key Differences
Home Prices
Chicago's median home price of $314,516.51 is higher than Rockford's $195,413.19 by 61%.
Monthly Rent
Renting in Chicago costs $2,113.41/mo compared to $1,211.55/mo in Rockford—a difference of $901.86/mo.
Buy vs Rent Verdict
Chicago favors renting, while Rockford favors buying.
Break-Even Timeline
Break-even analysis varies based on market conditions in each city.
Run Your Own Numbers
This comparison uses median values. Your income, savings, and goals matter. Use our Buy vs Rent calculator to get a personalized analysis.