Moving from Rockford, IL to Killeen, TX
Relocating 1073 mi from Rockford to Killeen is a 19h 46m 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.
1073 mi · 19h 46m by car · TX → OK → MO → IL
Distance & route
| Route through | TX → OK → MO → IL |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 44, US 69, I 55 |
| Major cities en route | Waco, Arlington, Grand Prairie, Dallas, Mesquite |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Rockford | Killeen | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 92.154 | 91.132 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 89.378 | 81.242 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 93.643 | 93.757 | 100.0 |
| Services | 70.076 | 77.884 | 100.0 |
Rockford and Killeen sit within 5% on the overall BEA RPP — the composite diff is small, but rent or groceries alone may move more.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level · MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Zillow ZHVI climbs from $177,225 in Rockford to $219,957 in Killeen, a 1.1% increase on the typical home value.
YoY change: Rockford +9.9%, Killeen -1.3%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | Rockford | Killeen |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 49°F | 67°F |
| January avg low | 15°F | 36°F |
| July avg high | 84°F | 96°F |
| Annual snowfall | 37.1" | 0.0" |
| Annual precipitation | 37.2" | 34.8" |
Annual average temperature jumps 17.2°F — 49.4°F in Rockford vs 66.6°F in Killeen, per NOAA 1991–2020 normals.
Snowfall is a non-factor at the destination: Killeen sees under an inch a year per NOAA normals.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 (stations: ROCKFORD GTR ROCKFORD AP, IL US, KILLEEN, TX US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Rockford | Killeen |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 147,649 | 156,144 |
| Median household income | $53,328 | $58,339 |
| Median age | 37.5 | 30 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 14.9% | 16.2% |
| Avg household size | 2.4 | 2.61 |
ACS 2023 shows median household income 1.1% higher in Killeen than Rockford.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Killeen MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 16,840 | $37,540 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 15,620 | $26,660 |
| Healthcare Practitioners and Technical Occupations | 14,700 | $81,360 |
| Transportation and Material Moving Occupations | 13,820 | $37,760 |
| Educational Instruction and Library Occupations | 12,710 | $59,740 |
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.
Moving between Illinois and Texas
State income-tax top marginal rates are from the Tax Foundation, updated annually. Check Texas'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.
Packing & arrival checklist
- Air conditioning matters: July highs in Killeen average 96°F on NOAA normals. If the new place has window-unit or no AC, plan that purchase for the first week.
- You are moving to a noticeably warmer climate (17.2°F higher annual average). Keep summer clothing accessible and consider donating or storing heavy winter gear.
- Coastal Texas sees hurricanes June through November; inland areas face severe thunderstorms and occasional tornadoes in spring.
- 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 Texas after establishing residency.
Frequently asked
How far is Killeen, TX from Rockford, IL?
The driving distance is 1073 mi and the route typically takes 19h 46m via I 44 and US 69. The trip crosses 4 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How much do homes cost in Killeen compared to Rockford?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $219,957 in Killeen vs $177,225 in Rockford — a 24.1% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How does the job market in Killeen compare to Rockford?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $42,230 in the Killeen MSA vs $44,810 in the Rockford MSA, on total employment of 147,020 and 138,920 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How does household income compare in Rockford vs Killeen?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $58,339 in Killeen vs $53,328 in Rockford — a 9.4% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
Is Killeen more expensive than Rockford?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Killeen is 1.1% lower than Rockford (91.132 vs 92.154, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
When is the best time to move from Rockford to Killeen?
Moving companies usually charge 20–30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 1073 mi drive, weather on the route matters too — see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
What is the climate difference between Rockford and Killeen?
On NOAA 1991–2020 normals, annual average temperature is 66.6°F in Killeen vs 49.4°F in Rockford (17.2°F warmer). Annual snowfall: 0.0 in vs 37.1 in. Annual precipitation: 34.8 in vs 37.2 in.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Rockford.
City profiles: Rockford, IL · Killeen, TX.