Gurnee, IL vs Wood River, IL

The cost of living difference between Gurnee, IL and Wood River, IL is dramatic. Wood River is 60.3% cheaper than Gurnee, a gap that translates to thousands of dollars per year in household expenses. Gurnee has a cost index of 111 while Wood River sits at 69, 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 Gurnee is $1,594/month compared to $915/month in Wood River — a 74% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Wood River is more affordable at $103,200 median vs $331,100.

Median household income in Gurnee is $121,410 compared to $65,960 in Wood River (+84.1%). While Gurnee is more expensive, its higher salaries more than compensate — residents there may actually end up with more disposable income. Looking at affordability, residents of Gurnee spend roughly 15.8% of their income on rent, less than the 16.6% in Wood River.