Cost of Living in Rockford, MN

Population 4,521 · Minnesota · Data vintage 2023

90
Cost Index
(100 = US avg)
Page updated: · Data vintage: 2023 ACS 5-Year
Sources: Census ACS·BLS·NOAA·EPA·Zillow · Methodology

Rockford sits on the smaller end of the Minnesota city distribution. That scale shapes the housing market, the labor pool, and the services available to residents in ways the data below makes visible. An unemployment rate of 1.8% points to a labor market well on the tight side of the national distribution.

Located 25 miles west of Minneapolis, Rockford falls within that metro's commuting orbit. Median home values run roughly 23% lower than Minneapolis' $346,000.

Cost Overview

Housing 87
Rent 95

Scale: 100 = US national average. Green < 90, Red > 110.

About the Cost of Living in Rockford

The median home value in Rockford is $265,900 — 13% below the national median of $305,000. Median rent runs $1,254/month, 5% lower than the national median of $1,314/month. The median household income of $82,228/year is 10% higher than the US median of $74,580. The local unemployment rate is 1.8%, below the national average of 4.8%. Minnesota's top state income tax rate is 9.8% and the combined sales tax is 7.4%. Overall, Rockford has a cost of living index of 90 versus the US average of 100, meaning it is 10% less expensive.

🏠 Housing

Median Home Value
$265,900
13% below avg
Zillow Home Value
$148,972
Zillow ZHVI
Median Rent
$1,254/mo
5% below avg
Price-to-Rent Ratio
17.7x
Favors buying
Property Tax Rate
1.1%
Effective rate

HUD Fair Market Rents by Bedroom

Studio
$702
1 BR
$784
2 BR
$937
3 BR
$1,307
4 BR
$1,537
Owner-occupied 81.6%
Renter-occupied 18.4%

💰 Estimated Monthly Budget

Rent median rent
$1,254
Groceries national estimate
$400
Utilities local estimate
$88
Transportation local gas prices
$126
Estimated Total $1,868/mo

Estimates based on median data and national averages. Actual costs vary.

🛒 Food & Groceries

National BLS average prices (2023). Local prices may vary.

🥚
Eggs (dozen)
$0.548
🍞
White Bread (lb)
$1.912
🥩
Ground Beef (lb)
$5.61

🚗 Transportation

Avg Commute
32.0 min
19% above avg
Gas Price
$3.145/gal
0% below avg
Work From Home
12.0%

Commute Mode

Drove alone
79.5%
Carpooled
8.5%
Work from home
12.0%

Utilities

Electricity
$0.176/kWh
0% below avg

📋 Taxes

State Income Tax 9.8%
Total Sales Tax 7.4%
State rate 6.9%
Avg local rate 0.6%
Property Tax 1.1%

💼 Income & Employment

Median Household Income
$82,228
10% above avg
Per Capita Income
$44,814
Unemployment Rate
1.8%
62% below avg
Poverty Rate
6.7%
Labor Force Participation
71.9%

🎓 Education

Bachelor's degree+ 26.3%
Graduate degree 15.3%

👥 Demographics

Median Age 42.7
Male median age 44.7
Female median age 42

💨 Air Quality

EPA AQS 2023 — county-level monitoring data

Median AQI 49 — Good
52.4%
Good air days/yr
186
Max AQI recorded
236
PM2.5 days
113
Ozone days

🏫 Schools

NCES CCD 2019 — public school district data

97%
4-Year Graduation Rate
14.6:1
Student-teacher ratio
3
Public schools
1,651
Total enrollment

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the cost of living in Rockford, MN?

Rockford has a cost index of 90 (100 = national average). It is 10% below the national average.

What is average rent in Rockford, MN?

The median gross rent in Rockford is $1,254 per month based on 2023 Census data.

What is the average home price in Rockford?

The median home value in Rockford is $265,900 according to Zillow and Census data.

What is the median income in Rockford?

The median household income in Rockford is $82,228 per year (2023 ACS 5-year estimates).

What is the sales tax in Rockford, MN?

The combined state and local sales tax rate in Rockford is 7.4%. The Minnesota state income tax top rate is 9.8%.

Is Rockford, MN affordable?

Rockford is near the national average in terms of cost of living, with an index of 90 (100 = US average).

Rockford at a Glance

Population
4,521
Median Income
$82,228
Home Value
$265,900
Median Rent
$1,254/mo
Unemployment
1.8%
Sales Tax
7.4%
View all cities in Minnesota →
🗺️ County data for Minnesota

Explore county-level cost of living data

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