Lansing, IL vs Wood River, IL

There is a significant gap in the cost of living between these two cities. Wood River is 27% cheaper than Lansing. With a cost index of 69 vs 88, the difference would have a meaningful impact on a household's monthly budget. Someone relocating from Wood River to Lansing should plan for substantially higher expenses across most categories.

On the housing front, median rent in Lansing is $1,271/month compared to $915/month in Wood River — a 39% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Wood River is more affordable at $103,200 median vs $168,500.

Median household income in Lansing is $71,805 compared to $65,960 in Wood River (+8.9%). Lansing does offer higher incomes, but the salary premium barely offsets the higher cost of living, leaving residents with a tighter budget. Looking at affordability, residents of Lansing spend roughly 21.2% of their income on rent, more than the 16.6% in Wood River.