Cost Of Living
Everyday cost of living expenses like goods and services, housing, groceries, transportation, health care and utilities are far below the national average.
Housing
Impressive scores in the housing category characterize this area, potentially attributed to the availability of affordable housing, strong appreciation rates and high home values.
Ratings
According to recent surveys and polls, locals had excellent ratings for walkability to nearby amenities, safety, access to public transit and the overall sense of community in the area.
Schools
The low schools score might be a result of factors like lower than average education levels, lackluster reading and math scores and the inaccessibility of local elementary and high schools.
Wood River is a moderately-sized city located in the state of Illinois. The city has a population of 10,149 residents. At 90%, the majority of the Wood River population is White; this is followed by 5% Black and 1% Asian. Long commute times to work can be incredibly frustrating, ranking just behind housework on the list of life's annoyances. If you opt to make Wood River your home, your one-way commute time will typically last around 26 minutes, a duration that aligns with the national average commute time of 26 minutes.
Living in Wood River can be a great experience for anyone moving to the town. Having said that, in the state of Illinois, there are many incredible places to live, so choose wisely! When searching for a new neighborhood, several factors play a vital role in determining its suitability. Safety should be a top priority, ensuring a secure environment with low crime rates. Proximity to your workplace or school helps minimize commuting time and allows for a better work-life balance. Availability of essential amenities such as parks, coffee shops, restaurants, grocery stores, and healthcare facilities contributes to convenience and well-being. Access to reliable public transportation options facilitates easy commuting and connectivity. Additionally, considering the sense of community and the overall atmosphere that resonates with your lifestyle and preferences fosters a harmonious living experience. To help you find the best places to live in and around Wood River, AreaVibes has created a livability score using key metrics like amenities, commute, health & safety, education, housing and more.
Using data and statistics Wood River has received a livability score of 70/100. This score is ranked in the 78th percentile when compared to all other cities. If we take a closer look at each of the categories individually, we see that Wood River ranks well for housing (B+). On a more negative note, Wood River does not have favorable scores for the following: crime (F), education (F) and employment (D). If we take a look at the data, we can find out why.
Real estate represents the most substantial investment for homebuyers, constituting their most valuable asset. Renters, on the other hand, typically see their monthly rent as their most significant expense. The Wood River market earns a high score in the housing category, surpassing the national average in factors like home and rental affordability and appreciation rates. This robust real estate market not only benefits individual homeowners and renters but also spurs vigorous local economic activity and job growth, solidifying its significance in driving the region's prosperity and financial well-being.
There are many factors that go into deciding if an area is the right fit for your lifestyle. Certain “must haves” like low crime, great schools and nearby amenities are all at the top of most people's lists. But before even considering if those options are attainable, we'll need to know if the real estate in Wood River is actually affordable. The median home price for Wood River homes is $86,400, which is 50.6% lower than the Illinois average. If we take a closer look at the affordability of homes in Wood River, we’ll see that the home price to income ratio is 1.7, which is 43.3% lower than the Illinois average.
| Statistic | Wood River | Illinois | National |
| Average one way commute | 26min | 29min | 26min |
| Workers who drive to work | 83.3% | 73.4% | 76.4% |
| Workers who carpool | 9.5% | 8.3% | 9.3% |
| Workers who take public transit | 0.9% | 9.2% | 5.1% |
| Workers who bicycle | 0.0% | 0.6% | 0.6% |
| Workers who walk | 1.6% | 3.1% | 2.8% |
| Working from home | 2.0% | 4.4% | 4.6% |
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