Edwardsville, IL vs Riverside, IL

There is a significant gap in the cost of living between these two cities. Edwardsville is 19.7% cheaper than Riverside. With a cost index of 94 vs 117, the difference would have a meaningful impact on a household's monthly budget. Someone relocating from Edwardsville to Riverside should plan for substantially higher expenses across most categories.

On the housing front, median rent in Edwardsville is $1,231/month compared to $1,435/month in Riverside — a 14% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Edwardsville is more affordable at $286,700 median vs $460,500.

Median household income in Edwardsville is $92,671 compared to $149,219 in Riverside (-37.9%). 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 Edwardsville spend roughly 15.9% of their income on rent, more than the 11.5% in Riverside.

Climate-wise, Edwardsville is notably warmer with an average of 56.5°F compared to 52.1°F in Riverside. Edwardsville receives more rainfall at 40.8" per year compared to 34.4" in Riverside.