Granite City, IL vs Riverside, IL

The cost of living difference between Granite City, IL and Riverside, IL is dramatic. Granite City is 44.9% cheaper than Riverside, a gap that translates to thousands of dollars per year in household expenses. Granite City has a cost index of 65 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 Granite City is $761/month compared to $1,435/month in Riverside — a 47% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Granite City is more affordable at $99,800 median vs $460,500.

Median household income in Granite City is $60,490 compared to $149,219 in Riverside (-59.5%). 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 Granite City spend roughly 15.1% of their income on rent, more than the 11.5% in Riverside.

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