Wadsworth, IL vs Wood River, IL

The cost of living difference between Wadsworth, IL and Wood River, IL is dramatic. Wood River is 42.2% cheaper than Wadsworth, a gap that translates to thousands of dollars per year in household expenses. Wadsworth has a cost index of 99 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 Wadsworth is $1,052/month compared to $915/month in Wood River — a 15% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Wood River is more affordable at $103,200 median vs $377,900.

Median household income in Wadsworth is $121,583 compared to $65,960 in Wood River (+84.3%). While Wadsworth is more expensive, its higher salaries more than compensate — residents there may actually end up with more disposable income. Looking at affordability, residents of Wadsworth spend roughly 10.4% of their income on rent, less than the 16.6% in Wood River.