Moving from Reno, NV to Rockford, IL
It is 1870 mi and 31h 45m from Reno to Rockford — a cross-country move across 6 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.
1870 mi · 31h 45m by car · NV → UT → WY → NE → IA → IL
Distance & route
| Route through | NV → UT → WY → NE → IA → IL |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 80, I 88, IL 92 |
| Major cities en route | Sparks, Salt Lake City, West Valley City, West Jordan, Lincoln |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Reno | Rockford | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 101.014 | 92.154 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 89.274 | 89.378 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 96.271 | 93.643 | 100.0 |
| Services | 123.478 | 70.076 | 100.0 |
Overall cost of living drops 8.8% moving from Reno to Rockford — meaningful on rent but closer to parity on groceries.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level · MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Zillow ZHVI drops from $567,857 in Reno to $177,225 in Rockford, a 8.8% decrease on the typical home value.
YoY change: Reno -0.4%, Rockford +9.9%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | Reno | Rockford |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 55°F | 49°F |
| January avg low | 27°F | 15°F |
| July avg high | 93°F | 84°F |
| Annual snowfall | 29.7" | 37.1" |
| Annual precipitation | 8.1" | 37.2" |
Expect 5.1°F colder year-round on the NOAA 1991–2020 normals.
Significant snow at the destination: Rockford sees 37.1 in a year on NOAA normals — budget for winter gear and plowing.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 (stations: RENO WFO, NV US, ROCKFORD GTR ROCKFORD AP, IL US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Reno | Rockford |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 268,959 | 147,649 |
| Median household income | $78,448 | $53,328 |
| Median age | 37.3 | 37.5 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 21.4% | 14.9% |
| Avg household size | 2.4 | 2.4 |
Expect median household income to fall 8.8% — $78,448 → $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 Nevada 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
- I-80 east of Reno and US-50 across the Sierra can require chains in winter storms.
- I-80 through Parleys Canyon and I-70 through the San Rafael Swell see winter closures; I-15 north of Salt Lake can slow in storms.
- I-80 across southern Wyoming frequently closes in winter storms November through April — check WYDOT 511 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
How far is Rockford, IL from Reno, NV?
The driving distance is 1870 mi and the route typically takes 31h 45m via I 80 and I 88. The trip crosses 6 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How does household income compare in Reno vs Rockford?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $53,328 in Rockford vs $78,448 in Reno — a 32.0% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
When is the best time to move from Reno 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 1870 mi drive, weather on the route matters too — see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How does the job market in Rockford compare to Reno?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $44,810 in the Rockford MSA vs $47,540 in the Reno MSA, on total employment of 138,920 and 254,100 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
What is the climate difference between Reno and Rockford?
On NOAA 1991–2020 normals, annual average temperature is 49.4°F in Rockford vs 54.5°F in Reno (5.1°F colder). Annual snowfall: 37.1 in vs 29.7 in. Annual precipitation: 37.2 in vs 8.1 in.
How much do homes cost in Rockford compared to Reno?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $177,225 in Rockford vs $567,857 in Reno — a 68.8% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
Is Rockford more expensive than Reno?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Rockford is 8.8% lower than Reno (92.154 vs 101.014, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Reno.
City profiles: Reno, NV · Rockford, IL.