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Crunching costs, sorting signals, rendering insights.
Crunching costs, sorting signals, rendering insights.
Forget what you've heard — the data paints a different picture. 5 of 5 cities keep rent under 30% of $150K. The 30% rule — spending no more than 30% of gross income on housing — is the most widely cited benchmark for affordability. On a $150K salary, 5 cities (100%) meet this threshold. You've got p…
#1 Ranked: Rockford — cost index 86, rent $1,151/mo, income $53,328
5 of 5 cities keep rent under 30% of $150K
5 of 5 cities keep rent under 30% of $150K gross income
Data sourced from Census Bureau, Zillow, BLS, and Tax Foundation — current as of 2026
| City | State Tax | Sales Tax | Property Tax | Est. Take-Home |
|---|---|---|---|---|
1Rockford | 4.95% | 8.83% | 1.73% | $102,058 |
2Joliet | 4.95% | 8.83% | 1.73% | $102,058 |
3Elgin | 4.95% | 8.83% | 1.73% | $102,058 |
4Naperville | 4.95% | 8.83% | 1.73% | $102,058 |
5Chicago | 4.95% | 8.83% | 1.73% | $102,058 |
Forget what you've heard — the data paints a different picture. 5 of 5 cities keep rent under 30% of $150K. The 30% rule — spending no more than 30% of gross income on housing — is the most widely cited benchmark for affordability. On a $150K salary, 5 cities (100%) meet this threshold. You've got plenty of choices.
The 30% rule — spending no more than 30% of gross income on housing — is the most widely cited benchmark for affordability. On a $150K salary, 5 cities (100%) meet this threshold. You've got plenty of choices. We ran the numbers on 5 cities in Illinois using 2026 census, rent, and salary data. Rockford comes out on top — here's the full ranking and analysis.
A closer look at Rockford: the cost index of 86 — for better or worse — breaks down to a Housing index of 66 (strongest category) and a Healthcare index of 89 (weakest). Median rent is $1,151/month — 39% below the national median — while household income sits at $53,328, meaning locals spend about 26% of income on rent. That's within the recommended 30% threshold, though it doesn't leave much room.
Balance that against the cost side: Here's the state-level backdrop: Illinois averages a 104 cost index, $1,779/mo rent, and $91,148 income across 5 cities. That's $116 less than the national rent average. Chicago's premium versus downstate bargains — and that context shapes every city in this ranking.
Bottom line: Rockford leads this ranking for clear, data-backed reasons — but the "best" city depends on your priorities. Click into any city below to see the full detail page with 12-month trend charts, profession-specific salary data, and a breakdown of all five cost categories. If you're seriously considering a move, use our salary calculator to model your specific income against these numbers.
The 30% rule — spending no more than 30% of gross income on housing — is the most widely cited benchmark for affordability. On a $150K salary, 5 cities (100%) meet this threshold. You've got plenty of choices.
#1-ranked Rockford has a cost index 18 points lower than the top-5 average of 104. That's not a marginal lead — it's a category of its own.
Rent ranges from $1,151/mo in Rockford to $2,292/mo in Chicago — a monthly difference of $1,141, or $13,692 per year.
Rent in #1-ranked Rockford has increased from $1,087 to $1,151/mo over the past 12 months — a 6% increase. Rising costs may erode its top ranking over time.
146,120 residents · Illinois
Rockford earns its position at #1 through a combination that's hard to replicate. The 86 cost index sits 26 points below the national baseline, and the $53,328 median income means purchasing power here is amplified by the low cost base. Homes list at $172,610 — $294,760 below the national median — a genuine ownership opportunity. That's a reasonable number. On the cost side, Housing leads the way at 66, while Healthcare trails at 89.
150,489 residents · Illinois
Here's Joliet by the numbers — and there's a lot to like (and a little to watch). Cost index: 97. Rent: $1,559/month — for better or worse — . Income: $88,026/year. Home price: $255,981. Population: 150,489. The strongest category is Utilities at 89; the most expensive is Healthcare at 100. Translate that rent to annual numbers, and residents are saving renters $4,032 per year vs. the national median. This is the kind of number that should get your attention.
113,310 residents · Illinois
What does daily life actually cost in Elgin? Start with the 24% rent-to-income ratio — that's the kind of margin that lets people build savings. On the category level, Utilities (index 94) is where the real savings show up, while Healthcare (index 106) is the line item most likely to surprise newcomers. Income at $88,316 and homes at $323,259 round out a profile that ranks #3 for clear reasons.
150,245 residents · Illinois
Here's Naperville by the numbers — and there's a lot to like. Cost index: 122. Rent: $2,157/month. Income: $150,937/year. Home price: $594,498. Population: 150,245. The strongest category is Utilities at 112; the most expensive is Housing at 154. Translate that rent to annual numbers, and residents are costing renters $3,144 more per year vs. the national median. Not many cities can claim this.
2,664,452 residents · Illinois
Here's Chicago by the numbers — and there's a lot to like (and a little to watch). And as a general rule, cost index: 111. Rent: $2,292/month. Income: $75,134/year. Home price: $312,457. Population: 2,664,452. The strongest category is Utilities at 102; the most expensive is Housing at 127. Translate that rent to annual numbers, and residents are costing renters $4,764 more per year vs. the national median. For dual-income households, this multiplies into serious savings.
Rockford ranks #1 in Illinois for this analysis with a cost index of 86 and median income of $53,328.
Yes. On a $150K salary in Rockford, rent would consume about 9% of your gross monthly income. Financial experts recommend keeping rent under 30%. You're well within that guideline.
Our cost of living index uses real Zillow rent data as the foundation, indexed to 100 (national median). Sub-categories (housing, food, transport, utilities, healthcare) are derived from the overall index with regional adjustments. Data is updated monthly.
Rockford (ranked #1) has a cost index of 86 and rent of $1,151/mo, while Chicago (ranked #5) has a cost index of 111 and rent of $2,292/mo — a 25-point difference in cost of living.
City data is refreshed monthly from Census Bureau population estimates, Zillow rent and home price indices, BLS salary data, and Tax Foundation tax rates. Last updated: 2026.
The median 1-bedroom rent in Rockford is $1,151/month as of 2026, based on Zillow's Observed Rent Index. This is $744 below the national median of $1,895/month.
After federal taxes, FICA (7.65%), and 4.95% state income tax, estimated take-home on $150K in Rockford is approximately $102,058/year ($8,505/month). After median rent of $1,151/month, you'd have roughly $88,246/year for all other expenses.
The median home price in Rockford is $172,610, which is 3.2× the local median income. That's within the standard 3.5× affordability rule for most local earners. The national median home price is $467,370.
Illinois has a 4.95% state income tax rate. Combined state and local sales tax averages 8.83%, and the effective property tax rate is 1.73%.
This ranking was generated using data current as of early 2026. Population and income data comes from the Census Bureau's American Community Survey (5-year estimates). Rent and home price data is from Zillow's monthly releases. Tax rates are from the Tax Foundation's 2025 edition. Rankings are refreshed monthly.