Moving from Tacoma, WA to Rockford, IL
Cross-country relocations like Tacoma, WA β Rockford, IL cover 1986 mi and about 34h 49m of driving through 7 states. Expect a multi-day trip and a meaningful change in climate, cost-of-living, and job market. The sections below compare each data layer directly from BEA, Census, Zillow, BLS, and NOAA.
1986 mi Β· 34h 49m by car Β· WA β ID β MT β SD β MN β WI β IL
Distance & route
| Route through | WA β ID β MT β SD β MN β WI β IL |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 90, US 14, SD 79 |
| Major cities en route | Seattle, Kent, Renton, Bellevue, Spokane |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Tacoma | Rockford | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 111.133 | 92.154 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 92.814 | 89.378 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 103.972 | 93.643 | 100.0 |
| Services | 151.314 | 70.076 | 100.0 |
Rockford is 17.1% cheaper than Tacoma overall, per BEA Regional Price Parities (2024).
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Typical home value in Rockford is 17.1% below Tacoma β $493,840 vs $177,225 per Zillow ZHVI (2026-03).
YoY change: Tacoma -0.9%, Rockford +9.9%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Tacoma | Rockford |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 54Β°F | 49Β°F |
| January avg low | 37Β°F | 15Β°F |
| July avg high | 77Β°F | 84Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | 37.1" |
| Annual precipitation | 40.8" | 37.2" |
Annual average temperatures in Tacoma (53.7Β°F) and Rockford (49.4Β°F) stay within 5Β°F of each other (NOAA normals).
Rockford averages 37.1 in of annual snowfall on the NOAA 1991β2020 normals β a full winter setup (heavy coat, snow tires, chains) is worth unpacking first.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: TACOMA #1, WA US, ROCKFORD GTR ROCKFORD AP, IL US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Tacoma | Rockford |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 220,482 | 147,649 |
| Median household income | $83,857 | $53,328 |
| Median age | 37.3 | 37.5 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 21% | 14.9% |
| Avg household size | 2.41 | 2.4 |
Income gap is large: median household income drops 17.1% between Tacoma and Rockford (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 Washington 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
- Snoqualmie Pass on I-90 and White Pass on US-12 see frequent chain requirements December through March β check WSDOT mountain passes report.
- Lookout Pass (I-90) and Galena Summit (SH-75) require winter tires or chains during storms.
- Montana interstates can close without notice in winter storms β check MDT 511 before entering the state November through April.
- 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 does the job market in Rockford compare to Tacoma?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $44,810 in the Rockford MSA vs $65,260 in the Tacoma MSA, on total employment of 138,920 and 2,079,090 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
When is the best time to move from Tacoma to Rockford?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 1986 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How does household income compare in Tacoma vs Rockford?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $53,328 in Rockford vs $83,857 in Tacoma β a 36.4% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How far is Rockford, IL from Tacoma, WA?
The driving distance is 1986 mi and the route typically takes 34h 49m via I 90 and US 14. The trip crosses 7 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Is Rockford more expensive than Tacoma?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Rockford is 17.1% lower than Tacoma (92.154 vs 111.133, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How much do homes cost in Rockford compared to Tacoma?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $177,225 in Rockford vs $493,840 in Tacoma β a 64.1% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Tacoma.
City profiles: Tacoma, WA Β· Rockford, IL.