Knoxville, IL vs Riverside, IL

The cost of living difference between Knoxville, IL and Riverside, IL is dramatic. Knoxville is 44% cheaper than Riverside, a gap that translates to thousands of dollars per year in household expenses. Knoxville has a cost index of 66 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 Knoxville is $675/month compared to $1,435/month in Riverside — a 53% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Knoxville is more affordable at $139,900 median vs $460,500.

Median household income in Knoxville is $80,385 compared to $149,219 in Riverside (-46.1%). 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 Knoxville spend roughly 10.1% of their income on rent, less than the 11.5% in Riverside.

Climate-wise, both cities share similar average temperatures (52.7°F vs 52.1°F). Knoxville receives more rainfall at 37.6" per year compared to 34.4" in Riverside.