Moving from Sioux Falls, SD to Rockford, IL
It is 502 mi between Sioux Falls and Rockford β roughly 9h 8m of driving, plus rest stops and overnight, through 4 state(s). A long-haul move crosses climate zones and usually state-income-tax lines. This page assembles the federal and Zillow data into a side-by-side comparison so the differences are easy to scan.
502 mi Β· 9h 8m by car Β· SD β MN β WI β IL
Distance & route
| Route through | SD β MN β WI β IL |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 90, I 39, US 20 BUSINESS |
| Major cities en route | Rochester, Madison |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Sioux Falls | Rockford | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 90.631 | 92.154 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 80.7 | 89.378 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 95.472 | 93.643 | 100.0 |
| Services | 77.605 | 70.076 | 100.0 |
No material COL gap at the headline level β BEA RPP for both cities falls within 5% (2024).
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
1.7% drop on the typical home value β a meaningful shift in monthly mortgage math.
YoY change: Sioux Falls +1.5%, Rockford +9.9%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Sioux Falls | Rockford |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 47Β°F | 49Β°F |
| January avg low | 7Β°F | 15Β°F |
| July avg high | 85Β°F | 84Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | 37.1" |
| Annual precipitation | 28.3" | 37.2" |
No material annual-average temperature gap; seasonal extremes may still differ.
Heavy-snow city: expect 37.1 in of snowfall annually at Rockford.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: SIOUX FALLS WFO AP, SD US, ROCKFORD GTR ROCKFORD AP, IL US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Sioux Falls | Rockford |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 197,642 | 147,649 |
| Median household income | $74,714 | $53,328 |
| Median age | 35.1 | 37.5 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 25.4% | 14.9% |
| Avg household size | 2.39 | 2.4 |
Rockford households earn about 1.7% less than Sioux Falls at the median β $74,714 β $53,328 on ACS 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 South Dakota 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 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
- I-90 across western South Dakota can close in ground blizzards β check SD 511 November through April.
- I-35 and I-94 across Minnesota can see short closures in winter storms β check MnDOT 511.
- Winter storms can slow I-90 and I-94 across western Wisconsin β check 511wi.
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 β 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 much do homes cost in Rockford compared to Sioux Falls?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $177,225 in Rockford vs $329,723 in Sioux Falls β a 46.3% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
When is the best time to move from Sioux Falls to Rockford?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 502 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How does the job market in Rockford compare to Sioux Falls?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $44,810 in the Rockford MSA vs $45,440 in the Sioux Falls MSA, on total employment of 138,920 and 165,960 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
Is Rockford more expensive than Sioux Falls?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Rockford is 1.7% higher than Sioux Falls (92.154 vs 90.631, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How does household income compare in Sioux Falls vs Rockford?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $53,328 in Rockford vs $74,714 in Sioux Falls β a 28.6% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How far is Rockford, IL from Sioux Falls, SD?
The driving distance is 502 mi and the route typically takes 9h 8m via I 90 and I 39. 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 Sioux Falls.
City profiles: Sioux Falls, SD Β· Rockford, IL.