Rockford Costs More Than Illinois’ Cheapest City

Are you looking to start fresh in Illinois by living in a city considered the cheapest in the state?

According to 24/7 Tempo, using Zillow data, you won’t be living anywhere in the northern part of Illinois. Actually, you’ll be heading south, like really far south, but are you sure you need to move in order to live cheaply?

With an annual cost of living just over $30,000, Carbondale, the home of Southern Illinois University, is considered the cheapest place to live in Illinois.

The Real Cost of Carbondale: Low Rent vs. Low Earning Potential

It gets better, too, because the annual rent is less than $8,500, and home values are pretty reasonable at nearly $135,000 for a house you can own.

Of course, household income averages are low too, at just barely over $32,000, but hey, if you can find a decent-paying job in Carbondale, you can rent or own a home at a great price.

Getty Images

Rockford vs. Carbondale: How the 'Forest City' Compares on Cost

Compared to Rockford, which some would say is also a cheap option, it’s kind of a surprise to see how Rockford hangs with Carbondale.

The cost of living is nearly $9,000 higher in Rockford than in Carbondale, and rent is up $6,000 here, too. The biggest price difference is that the median home price is $45,000 higher in Forest City, at $180,220.

However, you do make a bit more money living in Rockford compared to Carbondale, as the median household income is over $54,000.

The Bottom Line: Earning More vs. Spending Less in Illinois

While Carbondale has been deemed cheaper, meaning less spent on rent, homes, and cost of living, it also comes with less earning potential.

So, Rockford, you make more money but spend more too, which essentially means that, sure, Carbondale is cheaper to live in, but you barely make enough to enjoy anything else besides a cheap place to live.