Moving from Rockford, IL to Madison, WI
The 78 mi from Rockford to Madison translate to about 1h 42m behind the wheel through 2 state(s). Mid-range moves tend to cross at least one meaningful boundary — MSA, climate zone, or tax jurisdiction. The sections below set the two cities side by side on housing, income, cost of living, climate, and jobs.
78 mi · 1h 42m by car · WI → IL
Distance & route
| Route through | WI → IL |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 39, I 90, US 20 BUSINESS |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Rockford | Madison | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 92.154 | 97.287 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 89.378 | 89.825 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 93.643 | 93.787 | 100.0 |
| Services | 70.076 | 99.748 | 100.0 |
Moderate COL step-up: 5.6% pricier overall in Madison than Rockford on the 2024 BEA RPP.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level · MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Housing gap is large: Madison typical home at $423,767 is 5.6% above Rockford at $177,225 (Zillow, 2026-03).
YoY change: Rockford +9.9%, Madison +2.4%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | Rockford | Madison |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 49°F | 47°F |
| January avg low | 15°F | 11°F |
| July avg high | 84°F | 82°F |
| Annual snowfall | 37.1" | — |
| Annual precipitation | 37.2" | 40.2" |
Climate is roughly comparable on the annual mean — 49.4°F vs 47.2°F per NOAA 1991–2020 normals.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 (stations: ROCKFORD GTR ROCKFORD AP, IL US, UW ARBORETUM - MADISON, WI US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Rockford | Madison |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 147,649 | 275,568 |
| Median household income | $53,328 | $76,983 |
| Median age | 37.5 | 31.8 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 14.9% | 33.5% |
| Avg household size | 2.4 | 2.19 |
Income gap is large: median household income climbs 5.6% between Rockford and Madison (ACS 2023).
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Madison MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 47,900 | $46,030 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 34,050 | $37,780 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 32,230 | $30,120 |
| Business and Financial Operations Occupations | 31,450 | $76,410 |
| Transportation and Material Moving Occupations | 28,080 | $40,340 |
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.
Moving between Illinois and Wisconsin
State income-tax top marginal rates are from the Tax Foundation, updated annually. Check Wisconsin'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
- Winter storms can slow I-90 and I-94 across western Wisconsin — check 511wi.
State DOT 511 phone or web services provide real-time road conditions year-round.
Frequently asked
Is Madison more expensive than Rockford?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Madison is 5.6% higher than Rockford (97.287 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 Madison?
Moving companies usually charge 20–30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 78 mi drive, weather on the route matters too — see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How far is Madison, WI from Rockford, IL?
The driving distance is 78 mi and the route typically takes 1h 42m via I 39 and I 90. The trip crosses 2 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How much do homes cost in Madison compared to Rockford?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $423,767 in Madison vs $177,225 in Rockford — a 139.1% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How does household income compare in Rockford vs Madison?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $76,983 in Madison vs $53,328 in Rockford — a 44.4% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How does the job market in Madison compare to Rockford?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $50,910 in the Madison MSA vs $44,810 in the Rockford MSA, on total employment of 396,960 and 138,920 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 Rockford.
City profiles: Rockford, IL · Madison, WI.