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City Report · IL

Wood River

Pop. 10,279·133rd most expensive in Illinois·One of the most affordable rental markets in the US
Median rent (all units)
$1,000/mo
Year-over-Year
Stable
Month-over-Month
-2.1%
vs US Median
-$965
Falling (Monthly)
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Most AffordableMost Expensive
Wood River · $1,000
More affordable than 98% of US cities · National median $1,965/mo
Affordability
19% of income
VERY AFFORDABLE
0%30% benchmark60%+

At $1,000/mo, rent takes about 19% of the local median household income, comfortably within the 30% benchmark.

Income to afford
$40,000/yr
Local median income
$62,703/yr
Based on the 30%-of-income rule using Wood River's median rent and household income. See the full affordability breakdown →
Medians by bedroom

Rent by unit size

Studio
$840
1 BR
$880
2 BR
$1,090
3 BR
$1,410
4 BR+
$1,640
Research median
$1,090/mo

Bedroom estimates are gross rents that include essential utilities (electricity, water, gas, sewer, trash).

Rent trends

12-month history

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Last updated: July 20, 2026

Annual cost
$12,000/yr
At $1,000/mo median
Rent Market Meter
Renter's Market
Renter's MarketBalancedLandlord's Market
Rents are softening (down 0.0% YoY), so renters have negotiating leverage.
Based on rent-price momentum (+0.0% YoY, -2.1% MoM), not inventory.
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Demographics

Who lives here

Wood River, IL is majority owner-occupied, has a median income below the national average, 15.5% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

Population
10,279
Median income
$62,703
Median age
40.3
Renters
33.2%
Age distribution
19.2%
25.1%
23.8%
15.5%
16.5%
Under 1819.2%
18–3425.1%
35–5423.8%
55–6415.5%
65+16.5%
Gender
51.9%
48.1%
Male51.9%
Female48.1%
Race & ethnicity
87.1%
White87.1%
Black5.1%
Hispanic4%
Other3.7%
Education (25+)
41.6%
37.1%
15.5%
No HS diploma5.7%
HS diploma41.6%
Some college37.1%
Bachelor's+15.5%
Housing tenure
66.8%
33.2%
Owner66.8%
Renter33.2%

Source: U.S. Census Bureau · ACS 2024 5-Year Estimates

2021 vs 2026

How Wood River, IL has changed in 5 years

Income
$58,065 → $62,703
up 8.0%
Population
10,325 → 10,279
down 0.4%
Renter share
29.9% → 33.2%
+3.3 pts
Bachelor's+
14.2% → 15.5%
+1.3 pts
Median age
35.9 → 40.3
+4.4 yrs

Household income in the area moved from $58,065 to $62,703 across the same window, up 8.0% versus 2021. The renter share has risen from 29.9% to 33.2%, with owner-occupied housing accounting for the remainder.

Community

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View Wood River rent history (2015–2026) →
Salary vs rent

Can you afford rent in Wood River on your salary?

At $1,000/mo, how Wood River rent compares to typical pay (30% rule).

By apartment size

Wood River rent by bedroom count

Median rent for each apartment size in Wood River. Click any size for full breakdown.

Local insights

Tips for renters in Wood River

About renting in Wood River, IL

Last updated: July 20, 2026

The median rent in Wood River is $1,000/mo as of July 2026. A studio apartment averages $840/mo while a 2-bedroom runs $1,090/mo. One-bedroom apartments average $880/mo and 3-bedroom units go for $1,410/mo.

At 19% of local median household income ($62,703/yr), Wood River ranks as affordable compared to the national benchmark of 30%. Rent prices have stayed steady over the past year.

FAQ

Frequently asked questions

Is Wood River an affordable city for renters?

Wood River is considered very affordable for renters. At $1,000/mo, rent takes approximately 19% of the local median household income ($62,703/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%. Wood River falls comfortably within that range.

How much income do you need to rent in Wood River?

To keep rent at or below 30% of gross income, you would need to earn at least $40,000/year (~$19/hour full-time) to afford the median rent of $1,000/mo in Wood River. The local median household income is $62,703/yr, meaning the typical Wood River household meets that threshold.

Is rent going up or down in Wood River?

Rent in Wood River has been relatively stable over the past year, with a 0.0% change year over year as of July 2026.

How does Wood River rent compare to other cities in Illinois?

Wood River is one of the more affordable cities in Illinois for rent, ranking #133 out of 142 tracked cities at $1,000/mo.

Which nearby cities are cheaper to rent in than Wood River?

Several nearby cities have lower median rents than Wood River ($1,000/mo): East Alton ($850/mo), Alton ($985/mo).

What percentage of Wood River residents rent vs. own?

According to Census data, approximately 33.2% of Wood River households are renters, while 66.8% are owner-occupied. Wood River leans toward homeownership, which can mean a smaller rental inventory.

How does Wood River rent compare to the national average?

Wood River's median rent of $1,000/mo is $965 (49%) below the US national median of $1,965/mo. Within Illinois, it ranks #133 out of 142 tracked cities.
Income Affordability
19%
VERY AFFORDABLE

At $1,000/mo, rent takes ~19% of Wood River's median household income ($62,703/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%.

Wood River 19%Benchmark 30%
State income tax4.95%
Run the Wood River affordability calculator →
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Neighborhoods

Estimated from ZIP-level data

Schools nearby

Public schools near Wood River, IL

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