Moving from Rockford, IL to Laredo, TX
The drive from Rockford, IL to Laredo, TX runs 1347 mi — about 24h 37m on interstate, longer with stops. Long-range relocations typically bring real shifts in cost of living, housing prices, climate, and job market. Below, each of those layers is pulled from its source (BEA, Census, Zillow, BLS, NOAA) for a direct comparison.
1347 mi · 24h 37m by car · TX → OK → MO → IL
Distance & route
| Route through | TX → OK → MO → IL |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 35, I 44, US 69 |
| Major cities en route | San Antonio, Austin, Round Rock, Killeen, Waco |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Rockford | Laredo | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 92.154 | 86.956 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 89.378 | 80.614 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 93.643 | 93.757 | 100.0 |
| Services | 70.076 | 59.746 | 100.0 |
RPP moves from 92.154 to 86.956, putting Laredo roughly 5.6% below Rockford on the overall price level.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level · MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Homes run dramatically pricier in Laredo: 5.6% above Rockford on Zillow ZHVI (2026-03).
YoY change: Rockford +9.9%, Laredo +2.5%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | Rockford | Laredo |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 49°F | 75°F |
| January avg low | 15°F | 47°F |
| July avg high | 84°F | 100°F |
| Annual snowfall | 37.1" | 0.1" |
| Annual precipitation | 37.2" | 19.7" |
Major climate step-up: 25.6°F warmer annual average in Laredo vs Rockford.
Effectively snow-free year in Laredo — NOAA normals show near-zero annual snowfall.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 (stations: ROCKFORD GTR ROCKFORD AP, IL US, LAREDO 2, TX US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Rockford | Laredo |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 147,649 | 255,949 |
| Median household income | $53,328 | $63,264 |
| Median age | 37.5 | 29.7 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 14.9% | 15.1% |
| Avg household size | 2.4 | 3.36 |
Income steps up 5.6%: $53,328 in Rockford vs $63,264 in Laredo.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Laredo MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 15,810 | $34,040 |
| Transportation and Material Moving Occupations | 15,300 | $35,870 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 10,740 | $23,180 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 9,360 | $28,410 |
| Healthcare Support Occupations | 9,330 | $22,560 |
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 Laredo average 100°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 (25.6°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 does the job market in Laredo compare to Rockford?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $35,220 in the Laredo MSA vs $44,810 in the Rockford MSA, on total employment of 104,610 and 138,920 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How much do homes cost in Laredo compared to Rockford?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $220,331 in Laredo vs $177,225 in Rockford — a 24.3% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
What is the climate difference between Rockford and Laredo?
On NOAA 1991–2020 normals, annual average temperature is 75.0°F in Laredo vs 49.4°F in Rockford (25.6°F warmer). Annual snowfall: 0.1 in vs 37.1 in. Annual precipitation: 19.7 in vs 37.2 in.
How does household income compare in Rockford vs Laredo?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $63,264 in Laredo vs $53,328 in Rockford — a 18.6% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
When is the best time to move from Rockford to Laredo?
Moving companies usually charge 20–30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 1347 mi drive, weather on the route matters too — see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
Is Laredo more expensive than Rockford?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Laredo is 5.6% lower than Rockford (86.956 vs 92.154, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How far is Laredo, TX from Rockford, IL?
The driving distance is 1347 mi and the route typically takes 24h 37m via I 35 and I 44. 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 Rockford.
City profiles: Rockford, IL · Laredo, TX.