Moving from Rockford, IL to Warren, MI
Moving from Rockford, IL to Warren, MI covers 375 mi and about 7h 11m by car through 3 state(s). That is far enough that housing, cost-of-living, climate, and job market can all move meaningfully β the sections below pull current figures from BEA, Zillow, the Census Bureau, BLS, and NOAA to map exactly where the differences fall.
375 mi Β· 7h 11m by car Β· IL β IN β MI
Distance & route
| Route through | IL β IN β MI |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 94, I 80, US 6 |
| Major cities en route | Elgin, Aurora, Naperville, Joliet, Chicago |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Rockford | Warren | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 92.154 | 100.298 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 89.378 | 106.988 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 93.643 | 98.817 | 100.0 |
| Services | 70.076 | 94.69 | 100.0 |
BEA RPP moves from 92.154 in Rockford to 100.298 in Warren, a 8.8% bump on the overall price level.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Moderate housing step-up: Warren at $196,785 is 8.8% above Rockford at $177,225.
YoY change: Rockford +9.9%, Warren +2.3%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Rockford | Warren |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 49Β°F | 51Β°F |
| January avg low | 15Β°F | 20Β°F |
| July avg high | 84Β°F | 84Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | 37.1" | β |
| Annual precipitation | 37.2" | 29.9" |
No material annual-average temperature gap; seasonal extremes may still differ.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: ROCKFORD GTR ROCKFORD AP, IL US, DETROIT CITY AP, MI US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Rockford | Warren |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 147,649 | 138,128 |
| Median household income | $53,328 | $63,741 |
| Median age | 37.5 | 37.9 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 14.9% | 13.5% |
| Avg household size | 2.4 | 2.55 |
Median household income in Warren is 8.8% above Rockford ($53,328 β $63,741, ACS 2023).
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Warren MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 224,810 | $45,600 |
| Production Occupations | 186,670 | $44,740 |
| Transportation and Material Moving Occupations | 165,670 | $40,090 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 160,290 | $36,830 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 153,090 | $30,480 |
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.
Moving between Illinois and Michigan
State income-tax top marginal rates are from the Tax Foundation, updated annually. Check Michigan'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
- Lake-effect snow bands across the western Upper Peninsula can require chains on US-2.
State DOT 511 phone or web services provide real-time road conditions year-round.
Frequently asked
How does household income compare in Rockford vs Warren?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $63,741 in Warren vs $53,328 in Rockford β a 19.5% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
Is Warren more expensive than Rockford?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Warren is 8.8% higher than Rockford (100.298 vs 92.154, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How does the job market in Warren compare to Rockford?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $48,950 in the Warren MSA vs $44,810 in the Rockford MSA, on total employment of 1,900,180 and 138,920 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How much do homes cost in Warren compared to Rockford?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $196,785 in Warren vs $177,225 in Rockford β a 11.0% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How far is Warren, MI from Rockford, IL?
The driving distance is 375 mi and the route typically takes 7h 11m via I 94 and I 80. The trip crosses 3 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
When is the best time to move from Rockford to Warren?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 375 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Rockford.
City profiles: Rockford, IL Β· Warren, MI.