Cost of Living in Wood River, IL

Population 10,315 · Illinois · Data vintage 2023

48
Cost Index
(100 = US avg)
Page updated: · Data vintage: 2023 ACS 5-Year
Sources: Census ACS·BLS·NOAA·EPA·Zillow · Methodology

Housing costs in Wood River stay well under national norms: a median home value of $103,000 against median household incomes of $65,960 gives the city one of the more comfortable price-to-income ratios in Illinois.

Geographically, Wood River sits roughly 20 miles northeast of St. Louis. Median home values run roughly 44% lower than St. Louis' $185,000.

Cost Overview

Housing 34
Rent 70

Scale: 100 = US national average. Green < 90, Red > 110.

About the Cost of Living in Wood River

The median home value in Wood River is $103,200 — 66% below the national median of $305,000. Median rent runs $915/month, 30% lower than the national median of $1,314/month. The median household income of $65,960/year is 12% lower than the US median of $74,580. The local unemployment rate is 5.0%, above the national average of 4.8%. Illinois's top state income tax rate is 5.0% and the combined sales tax is 8.7%. Overall, Wood River has a cost of living index of 48 versus the US average of 100, meaning it is 52% less expensive.

🏠 Housing

Median Home Value
$103,200
66% below avg
Zillow Home Value
$123,855
Zillow ZHVI
Median Rent
$915/mo
30% below avg
Zillow Rent
$1,033/mo
Zillow ZORI
Price-to-Rent Ratio
9.4x
Favors buying
Property Tax Rate
2.2%
Effective rate

HUD Fair Market Rents by Bedroom

Studio
$651
1 BR
$741
2 BR
$899
3 BR
$1,196
4 BR
$1,364
Owner-occupied 68.8%
Renter-occupied 31.2%

💰 Estimated Monthly Budget

Rent median rent
$915
Groceries national estimate
$400
Utilities local estimate
$88
Transportation local gas prices
$126
Estimated Total $1,529/mo

Estimates based on median data and national averages. Actual costs vary.

🛒 Food & Groceries

National BLS average prices (2023). Local prices may vary.

🥚
Eggs (dozen)
$0.548
🍞
White Bread (lb)
$1.912
🥩
Ground Beef (lb)
$5.61

🚗 Transportation

Avg Commute
26.5 min
2% below avg
Gas Price
$3.145/gal
0% below avg
Work From Home
5.7%

Commute Mode

Drove alone
83.6%
Carpooled
7.6%
Public transit
0.6%
Walked
0.5%
Bicycle
1.6%
Work from home
5.7%

Utilities

Electricity
$0.176/kWh
0% below avg

📋 Taxes

State Income Tax (flat) 5.0%
Total Sales Tax 8.7%
State rate 6.3%
Avg local rate 2.5%
Property Tax 2.2%

💼 Income & Employment

Median Household Income
$65,960
12% below avg
Per Capita Income
$34,855
Unemployment Rate
5.0%
5% above avg
Poverty Rate
13.1%
Labor Force Participation
67.8%

🎓 Education

Bachelor's degree+ 9.4%
Graduate degree 6.2%

👥 Demographics

Median Age 37.9
Male median age 37.9
Female median age 37.9

💨 Air Quality

EPA AQS 2023 — county-level monitoring data

Median AQI 55 — Moderate
31.1%
Good air days/yr
155
Max AQI recorded
239
PM2.5 days
124
Ozone days

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the cost of living in Wood River, IL?

Wood River has a cost index of 48 (100 = national average). It is 52% below the national average.

What is average rent in Wood River, IL?

The median gross rent in Wood River is $915 per month based on 2023 Census data.

What is the average home price in Wood River?

The median home value in Wood River is $103,200 according to Zillow and Census data.

What is the median income in Wood River?

The median household income in Wood River is $65,960 per year (2023 ACS 5-year estimates).

What is the sales tax in Wood River, IL?

The combined state and local sales tax rate in Wood River is 8.7%. The Illinois state income tax top rate is 5.0%.

Is Wood River, IL affordable?

Yes, Wood River is generally considered affordable, with a cost of living index of 48 — about 52% below the US national average of 100.

Wood River at a Glance

Population
10,315
Median Income
$65,960
Home Value
$103,200
Median Rent
$915/mo
Unemployment
5.0%
Sales Tax
8.7%
View all cities in Illinois →
🗺️ County data for Illinois

Explore county-level cost of living data

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