salaryRent is higher than in 53% of U.S. cities. Household incomes are higher than in 91% of U.S. cities. A typical house costs about 4.3 years of household income. Commutes are long, about 32.5 minutes each way. Most homes (87.7%) are owned, so rentals can be hard to find. It is a highly educated city: 72.9% of adults have a college degree.
How much money do I need?
To rent here comfortably, you should earn about $68,760 a year. That is $33 an hour at a full-time job.
Is rent cheaper than other Illinois cities?
No. Rent here is more expensive than in most of Illinois. It is number 212 of 334 cities from cheapest to most expensive.
How much do households earn in River Forest?
Share of households by yearly income. 54.5% of households earn $100,000 or more.
Rent by apartment size in River Forest
| Size | River Forest | U.S. average |
|---|---|---|
| 1 bedroom | $1,701 | $1,324 |
| 2 bedrooms | $1,729 | $1,509 |
| 3 bedrooms | $2,439 | $1,698 |
Median monthly rent plus utilities for all renters, by number of bedrooms.
How expensive is River Forest overall?
Everyday prices in Illinois overall are same as the U.S. average (index 100.0, U.S. = 100).
Source: U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, Regional Price Parities 2024. City-level data is not published for River Forest, so the Illinois figure is shown.
Taxes and bills in River Forest
Life in River Forest
Is it cheaper to rent or buy in River Forest?
Renting is cheaper right now: about $3,050 a month less.
Owning assumes a typical $687,300 home, 10% down, a 30-year loan at 6.5% and about 1.5% a year for taxes and insurance. You would also need $68,730 for the down payment.
Frequently asked questions
What is the average rent in River Forest, IL?
Renting in River Forest costs a median of about $1,719 a month in 2026, including utilities. The Illinois median is $1,517.
How much do I need to make to live in River Forest?
To keep rent under 30% of income, you need about $68,760 a year, or $33 an hour at a full-time job.
Is River Forest cheap or expensive?
River Forest is rated Cheap: rent takes 13.0% of the typical household income of $158,309. It ranks 212th cheapest of 334 Illinois cities we track.
How much are property taxes in River Forest?
The median homeowner in River Forest pays $10,000+ a year in property taxes, about 1.46% of the median home value.
Is River Forest more expensive than the national average?
Overall prices in Illinois are same as the U.S. average, according to the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis.
How much does a house cost in River Forest?
The median home value in River Forest is $687,300, about 4.3 times the typical yearly household income.
11,992 people live in River Forest. Numbers are typical (middle) values.