Carlyle, IL vs Riverside, IL

The cost of living difference between Carlyle, IL and Riverside, IL is dramatic. Carlyle is 33.8% cheaper than Riverside, a gap that translates to thousands of dollars per year in household expenses. Carlyle has a cost index of 78 while Riverside sits at 117, making this one of the more striking comparisons on our site. Relocating between these cities would require a serious reassessment of budget and lifestyle expectations.

On the housing front, median rent in Carlyle is $1,051/month compared to $1,435/month in Riverside — a 27% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Carlyle is more affordable at $151,900 median vs $460,500.

Median household income in Carlyle is $67,083 compared to $149,219 in Riverside (-55%). While Riverside is more expensive, its higher salaries more than compensate — residents there may actually end up with more disposable income. Looking at affordability, residents of Carlyle spend roughly 18.8% of their income on rent, more than the 11.5% in Riverside.