Apple River, IL vs Ridge Farm, IL

Ridge Farm is moderately more affordable than Apple River, with a 6% lower cost of living index. Apple River scores 64 compared to 61 for Ridge Farm, where the US average is 100. This difference means residents of Apple River can expect to pay noticeably more for everyday expenses, housing, and services.

On the housing front, median rent in Apple River is $800/month compared to $695/month in Ridge Farm — a 15% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Ridge Farm is more affordable at $73,000 median vs $78,600.

Median household income in Apple River is $50,250 compared to $50,833 in Ridge Farm (-1.1%). Ridge Farm offers a double advantage: higher earnings combined with a lower cost of living, giving residents significantly more purchasing power. Looking at affordability, residents of Apple River spend roughly 19.1% of their income on rent, more than the 16.4% in Ridge Farm.