Moving from Ann Arbor, MI to Rockford, IL
It is a 328 mi drive, roughly 6h 19m, between Ann Arbor, MI and Rockford, IL. At mid-range distance you typically see real gaps open up on cost of living, home values, and climate — not just scenery. This page assembles the comparison from federal data sources and Zillow Research for a single-page view of the move.
328 mi · 6h 19m by car · IL → IN → MI
Distance & route
| Route through | IL → IN → MI |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 94, I 80, US 6 |
| Major cities en route | Elgin, Aurora, Naperville, Joliet, Chicago |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Ann Arbor | Rockford | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 100.88 | 92.154 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 98.184 | 89.378 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 93.711 | 93.643 | 100.0 |
| Services | 125.3 | 70.076 | 100.0 |
Moderate COL drop: 8.6% cheaper overall in Rockford than Ann Arbor on the 2024 BEA RPP.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level · MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
8.6% drop on the typical home value — a meaningful shift in monthly mortgage math.
YoY change: Ann Arbor +3.2%, Rockford +9.9%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | Ann Arbor | Rockford |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 48°F | 49°F |
| January avg low | 16°F | 15°F |
| July avg high | 84°F | 84°F |
| Annual snowfall | 59.3" | 37.1" |
| Annual precipitation | 37.9" | 37.2" |
No material annual-average temperature gap; seasonal extremes may still differ.
Heavy-snow city: expect 37.1 in of snowfall annually at Rockford.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 (stations: ANN ARBOR SE, MI US, ROCKFORD GTR ROCKFORD AP, IL US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Ann Arbor | Rockford |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 121,179 | 147,649 |
| Median household income | $81,089 | $53,328 |
| Median age | 27.7 | 37.5 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 30.5% | 14.9% |
| Avg household size | 2.43 | 2.4 |
Rockford households earn about 8.6% less than Ann Arbor at the median — $81,089 → $53,328 on ACS 2023.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Rockford MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Production Occupations | 17,580 | $41,900 |
| Transportation and Material Moving Occupations | 16,500 | $41,140 |
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 15,320 | $41,130 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 12,130 | $30,050 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 11,300 | $34,130 |
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.
Moving between Michigan and Illinois
State income-tax top marginal rates are from the Tax Foundation, updated annually. Check Illinois's DMV for the current deadline to transfer driver license and vehicle registration after establishing residency. Consult a tax professional for your specific filing situation — state tax treatment depends on residency, sourcing, and reciprocity agreements.
Best time to move
Moving companies typically charge 20–30% more between Memorial Day and Labor Day (peak season). October through April offers the lowest rates and better mover availability.
To avoid mid-semester school transfers, most U.S. families schedule moves between mid-June and mid-August. Public school calendars typically run late August or early September through late May or early June.
Winter driving along this route
- Lake-effect snow bands across the western Upper Peninsula can require chains on US-2.
State DOT 511 phone or web services provide real-time road conditions year-round.
Packing & arrival checklist
- Winter gear first: Rockford averages 37.1 in of snow per year on NOAA normals — pack a heavy coat, boots, and consider snow tires or chains before the first storm.
- Arrange utility connection (power, internet, gas, water) two weeks ahead of move-in.
- Update mailing address with USPS change-of-address within the first week post-move.
- Register to vote in Illinois after establishing residency.
Frequently asked
How far is Rockford, IL from Ann Arbor, MI?
The driving distance is 328 mi and the route typically takes 6h 19m via I 94 and I 80. The trip crosses 3 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How does household income compare in Ann Arbor vs Rockford?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $53,328 in Rockford vs $81,089 in Ann Arbor — a 34.2% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How much do homes cost in Rockford compared to Ann Arbor?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $177,225 in Rockford vs $523,391 in Ann Arbor — a 66.1% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
Is Rockford more expensive than Ann Arbor?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Rockford is 8.6% lower than Ann Arbor (92.154 vs 100.88, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
What is the climate difference between Ann Arbor and Rockford?
On NOAA 1991–2020 normals, annual average temperature is 49.4°F in Rockford vs 48.2°F in Ann Arbor (1.2°F warmer). Annual snowfall: 37.1 in vs 59.3 in. Annual precipitation: 37.2 in vs 37.9 in.
How does the job market in Rockford compare to Ann Arbor?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $44,810 in the Rockford MSA vs $49,690 in the Ann Arbor MSA, on total employment of 138,920 and 215,300 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
When is the best time to move from Ann Arbor to Rockford?
Moving companies usually charge 20–30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 328 mi drive, weather on the route matters too — see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Ann Arbor.
City profiles: Ann Arbor, MI · Rockford, IL.