Moving from Colorado Springs, CO to Rockford, IL
Relocating 1023 mi from Colorado Springs to Rockford is a 18h 2m drive through 4 state(s). At long-haul distance the move touches nearly every household line item — rent or mortgage, utilities, tax withholding, climate load. This page sets the two cities side by side on each data layer.
1023 mi · 18h 2m by car · CO → NE → IA → IL
Distance & route
| Route through | CO → NE → IA → IL |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 80, I 76, I 88 |
| Major cities en route | Centennial, Lakewood, Denver, Aurora, Arvada |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Colorado Springs | Rockford | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 100.707 | 92.154 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 83.195 | 89.378 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 96.052 | 93.643 | 100.0 |
| Services | 116.207 | 70.076 | 100.0 |
Expect about 8.5% lower overall cost of living — BEA RPP 2024 has Rockford at 92.154 vs Colorado Springs at 100.707.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level · MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Expect roughly 8.5% lower home prices — ZHVI goes from $449,452 to $177,225 moving to Rockford.
YoY change: Colorado Springs -2.2%, Rockford +9.9%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | Colorado Springs | Rockford |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 51°F | 49°F |
| January avg low | 19°F | 15°F |
| July avg high | 87°F | 84°F |
| Annual snowfall | 32.5" | 37.1" |
| Annual precipitation | 15.9" | 37.2" |
Annual average temperatures in Colorado Springs (50.5°F) and Rockford (49.4°F) stay within 5°F of each other (NOAA normals).
Rockford averages 37.1 in of annual snowfall on the NOAA 1991–2020 normals — a full winter setup (heavy coat, snow tires, chains) is worth unpacking first.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 (stations: COLORADO SPRINGS MUNI AP, CO US, ROCKFORD GTR ROCKFORD AP, IL US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Colorado Springs | Rockford |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 483,099 | 147,649 |
| Median household income | $83,198 | $53,328 |
| Median age | 35.6 | 37.5 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 25.2% | 14.9% |
| Avg household size | 2.44 | 2.4 |
Expect median household income to fall 8.5% — $83,198 → $53,328 per ACS 5-year estimates (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 Colorado 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
- Mountain passes on I-70 west of Denver and on I-25 near Raton can close for snow November through April — check CDOT alerts before departure.
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
When is the best time to move from Colorado Springs 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 1023 mi drive, weather on the route matters too — see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How does household income compare in Colorado Springs vs Rockford?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $53,328 in Rockford vs $83,198 in Colorado Springs — a 35.9% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How does the job market in Rockford compare to Colorado Springs?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $44,810 in the Rockford MSA vs $49,310 in the Colorado Springs MSA, on total employment of 138,920 and 310,390 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How much do homes cost in Rockford compared to Colorado Springs?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $177,225 in Rockford vs $449,452 in Colorado Springs — a 60.6% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
Is Rockford more expensive than Colorado Springs?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Rockford is 8.5% lower than Colorado Springs (92.154 vs 100.707, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
What is the climate difference between Colorado Springs and Rockford?
On NOAA 1991–2020 normals, annual average temperature is 49.4°F in Rockford vs 50.5°F in Colorado Springs (1.1°F colder). Annual snowfall: 37.1 in vs 32.5 in. Annual precipitation: 37.2 in vs 15.9 in.
How far is Rockford, IL from Colorado Springs, CO?
The driving distance is 1023 mi and the route typically takes 18h 2m via I 80 and I 76. The trip crosses 4 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Colorado Springs.
City profiles: Colorado Springs, CO · Rockford, IL.