Moving from Kent, WA to Rockford, IL
It is 1993 mi and 34h 38m from Kent to Rockford β a cross-country move across 7 states. Housing, cost of living, climate, and tax picture all tend to shift substantially at this distance. This page pulls the current figures from each federal source and Zillow Research into one comparison.
1993 mi Β· 34h 38m by car Β· IL β WI β MN β ND β MT β ID β WA
Distance & route
| Route through | IL β WI β MN β ND β MT β ID β WA |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 94, I 90, US 191 |
| Major cities en route | Madison, St Paul, Minneapolis, Fargo, Billings |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Kent | Rockford | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 111.133 | 92.154 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 92.814 | 89.378 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 103.972 | 93.643 | 100.0 |
| Services | 151.314 | 70.076 | 100.0 |
Expect about 17.1% lower overall cost of living β BEA RPP 2024 has Rockford at 92.154 vs Kent at 111.133.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Expect roughly 17.1% lower home prices β ZHVI goes from $656,314 to $177,225 moving to Rockford.
YoY change: Kent -2.1%, Rockford +9.9%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Kent | Rockford |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 54Β°F | 49Β°F |
| January avg low | 36Β°F | 15Β°F |
| July avg high | 78Β°F | 84Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | 37.1" |
| Annual precipitation | 40.1" | 37.2" |
Annual average temperatures in Kent (53.8Β°F) and Rockford (49.4Β°F) stay within 5Β°F of each other (NOAA normals).
Rockford averages 37.1 in of annual snowfall on the NOAA 1991β2020 normals β a full winter setup (heavy coat, snow tires, chains) is worth unpacking first.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: KENT, WA US, ROCKFORD GTR ROCKFORD AP, IL US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Kent | Rockford |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 135,015 | 147,649 |
| Median household income | $90,416 | $53,328 |
| Median age | 35.3 | 37.5 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 21.1% | 14.9% |
| Avg household size | 2.89 | 2.4 |
Expect median household income to fall 17.1% β $90,416 β $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 Washington 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 β state tax treatment depends on residency, sourcing, and reciprocity agreements.
Best time to move
Moving companies typically charge 20β30% 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
- Winter storms can slow I-90 and I-94 across western Wisconsin β check 511wi.
- I-35 and I-94 across Minnesota can see short closures in winter storms β check MnDOT 511.
- I-29 and I-94 can close without notice in winter storms; travel bans are declared more than once most winters.
- Montana interstates can close without notice in winter storms β check MDT 511 before entering the state November through April.
- Lookout Pass (I-90) and Galena Summit (SH-75) require winter tires or chains during storms.
- Snoqualmie Pass on I-90 and White Pass on US-12 see frequent chain requirements December through March β check WSDOT mountain passes report.
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 β 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 Kent to Rockford?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 1993 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How does household income compare in Kent vs Rockford?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $53,328 in Rockford vs $90,416 in Kent β a 41.0% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How much do homes cost in Rockford compared to Kent?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $177,225 in Rockford vs $656,314 in Kent β a 73.0% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How far is Rockford, IL from Kent, WA?
The driving distance is 1993 mi and the route typically takes 34h 38m via I 94 and I 90. The trip crosses 7 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Is Rockford more expensive than Kent?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Rockford is 17.1% lower than Kent (92.154 vs 111.133, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How does the job market in Rockford compare to Kent?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $44,810 in the Rockford MSA vs $65,260 in the Kent MSA, on total employment of 138,920 and 2,079,090 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Kent.
City profiles: Kent, WA Β· Rockford, IL.