Cost Of Living
Everyday cost of living expenses like goods and services, housing, groceries, transportation, health care and utilities are far below the national average.
Housing
Impressive scores in the housing category characterize this area, potentially attributed to the availability of affordable housing, strong appreciation rates and high home values.
Ratings
According to recent surveys and polls, locals had excellent ratings for walkability to nearby amenities, safety, access to public transit and the overall sense of community in the area.
Schools
The low schools score might be a result of factors like lower than average education levels, lackluster reading and math scores and the inaccessibility of local elementary and high schools.
Located in the state of Illinois, Wood River is a mid-sized city with a population of 10,358 residents. If we look at the most recent Census, Wood River is known to have a predominantly White population. The next two most common races are Black and Asian. Long travel times to work can be one of the most frustrating things in the world - right behind housework! If you decide that living in Wood River is the right fit for you, your one way commute time will average 26 minutes, which is about average when compared to the national commute time of 26 minutes.
Are you trying to figure out if living in Wood River is the right fit for your lifestyle? To ensure a fulfilling experience before relocating to any new city in Illinois, you will probably want to make sure that you check all of the most important boxes. Several key factors deserve attention. For one, safety is paramount, ensuring that your new area is low in crime is key. Proximity to workplaces or schools minimizes commute times and fosters convenience. Access to essential amenities like parks, grocery stores, food, fitness, shops and healthcare facilities enhances daily life. Efficient public transportation options provide mobility and connectivity. The sense of community creates a welcoming and supportive environment. Lastly, the overall atmosphere, encompassing the vibe, aesthetics, and lifestyle offerings, contributes to a fulfilling living experience. Considering these elements helps identify the ideal neighborhood for your needs and preferences. Using the livability score which includes data from categories like commute, health & safety, education, employment, you can easily compare the best places to live in Wood River and also determine if there are any nearby cities that might be a better match for your lifestyle. You can also compare Wood River to Illinois and the national average.
The livability score in Wood River is 74/100 and the city is ranked in the 85th percentile of all cities across America. If we take a closer look at each of the categories individually, we see that Wood River ranks well for housing (A+). There are some categories that Wood River does not rank well for, including: education (F). It might be worth taking a closer look to determine why.
A healthy real estate market serves as a key economic indicator. It could signify overall local economic strength, stability and reflects consumer confidence in the area. Based on multiple factors including: median home and rental prices, appreciation rates and home affordability, Wood River has received high marks in the housing category. Based on these calculations, the apartment rental and real estate market appears to be very healthy.
Assuming that Wood River meets all of your requirements like low crime rates, good schools and great local amenities, the next most important item to examine is the affordability of real estate in Wood River. Everything else becomes a lot less important if it turns out that home prices in Wood River are simply unattainable. The median home price for Wood River homes is $152,906, which is 50.4% lower than the Illinois average. If we take a closer look at the affordability of homes in Wood River, we’ll see that the home price to income ratio is 2, which is 42.9% lower than the Illinois average.
Why stop at city-to-city? With Local Insights, you can compare neighborhoods, zip codes, or even exact addresses. Access 300+ hyperlocal data points—from schools and crime to housing and amenities—to see which area is the better fit.
| Statistic | Wood River | Illinois | National |
| Average one way commute | 26min | 29min | 26min |
| Workers who drive to work | 83.3% | 73.4% | 76.4% |
| Workers who carpool | 9.5% | 8.3% | 9.3% |
| Workers who take public transit | 0.9% | 9.2% | 5.1% |
| Workers who bicycle | 0.0% | 0.6% | 0.6% |
| Workers who walk | 1.6% | 3.1% | 2.8% |
| Working from home | 2.0% | 4.4% | 4.6% |
Here are the best places to live in Illinois
These are the 10 cheapest cities in Illinois
See the best places to live in Wood River
Check out the 10 safest cities in Illinois