Niles, IL vs Wood River, IL

The cost of living difference between Niles, IL and Wood River, IL is dramatic. Wood River is 47.5% cheaper than Niles, a gap that translates to thousands of dollars per year in household expenses. Niles has a cost index of 102 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 Niles is $1,247/month compared to $915/month in Wood River — a 36% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Wood River is more affordable at $103,200 median vs $350,900.

Median household income in Niles is $78,563 compared to $65,960 in Wood River (+19.1%). Niles 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 Niles spend roughly 19% of their income on rent, more than the 16.6% in Wood River.