North Chicago, IL vs Wood River, IL

There is a significant gap in the cost of living between these two cities. Wood River is 29.9% cheaper than North Chicago. With a cost index of 69 vs 90, the difference would have a meaningful impact on a household's monthly budget. Someone relocating from Wood River to North Chicago should plan for substantially higher expenses across most categories.

On the housing front, median rent in North Chicago is $1,392/month compared to $915/month in Wood River — a 52% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Wood River is more affordable at $103,200 median vs $147,800.

Median household income in North Chicago is $56,815 compared to $65,960 in Wood River (-13.9%). Wood River offers a double advantage: higher earnings combined with a lower cost of living, giving residents significantly more purchasing power. Looking at affordability, residents of North Chicago spend roughly 29.4% of their income on rent, more than the 16.6% in Wood River.