Rockford, IL Homes For Rent

Homes for Rent in Rockford, IL: What You Need to Know

Rockford is the seat of Winnebago County in northern Illinois. The city’s Rockford Peaches team was immortalized in the 1992 film “A League of Their Own.”

The Local History

The city was originally called Midway, which describes its location between Chicago and Galena. Chartered in 1852, the city eventually changed its name to Rockford because of the excellent ford across Rock River. The earliest settlers were from New York and New England. After the Civil War, a surge of Swedes arrived in the city. Rockford’s legacy in baseball started with its Forest City Baseball Club. Between 1944 and 1954, the Rockford Peaches played in the All-American Girls Professional Baseball League.

The Cost of Living in Rockford

Compared to Chicago, only 89 miles away, Rockford (population: 145,609) is very reasonable. Its cost of living rate and housing costs are 9.2% and 26.5% lower than the national average, respectively. The median gross rent in the city is $752; the median rent for a two-bedroom apartment is $1,064. Illinois has a flat income tax of 4.95% and a sales tax of 6.25% to 11%.

Know Your Neighborhoods

Downtown Rockford residents praise the accessibility to stores and services and the local government’s investment in infrastructure. For newcomers who are concerned about safety in Rockford as a whole, the suburbs provide a good option. Rockton, Roscoe, and South Beloit are less than 20 miles from the city, and they all have above-average schools. Residents like the friendly and safe environment in Rockton. Roscoe is known for its festivals that help forge a sense of community while South Beloit is a small town where everyone knows each other.  

Weather and Climate

If you’re moving to Rockford, be prepared for about 35 inches of snow per year versus the U.S. average of 28 inches. The city’s snowiest winter was in 1978-1979 with a record 75-inch snowfall. Rockford gets an average of 37 inches of rain annually, close to the national average of 38 inches. On average, there are 188 sunny days annually in the city, less than the U.S. average of 205 sunny days.

Getting Around the City

For an affordable and efficient alternative to driving, check out the bus services of Rockford Mass Transit District (RMTD), which cover Rockford, Loves Park, Machesney Park, and Belvidere, Illinois. RMTD offers fixed route and paratransit transportation services. The closest airport is the Chicago Rockford International Airport with domestic and international flights.