2026 Compare Cities Cost of Living:
Austin, TX vs River Forest, IL

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Highlights
Is it cheaper to live in River Forest or is it cheaper to live in Austin?
- River Forest is 18.1% less expensive than Austin.

Which city has more affordable housing, River Forest or Austin?
- River Forest housing costs are 14.6% more expensive than Austin housing costs.

Is Health Care more affordable in Austin or is Health Care more affordable in River Forest.
- Health related expenses are 13.4% less in River Forest.
 Austin, TXRiver Forest, ILUnited States
 Overall  Unlock105.7100
 Food & Groceries96.7  Unlock100
 Health  Unlock88.0100
 Housing189.0  Unlock100
 Median Home Cost  Unlock$587,300$338,100
 Utilities99  Unlock100
 Transportation  Unlock133.1100
 Miscellaneous105.9  Unlock100
100 = National Average (Below 100 means cheaper than the US average. Above 100 means more expensive.)
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Reviews for Austin    449 Reviews

Over 2 years ago

Good place to visit.  More

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Austin is too expensive. Let's get that out of the way. Other than that it is a fun city. Ladybird Lake makes the city, imo. The ability to stand up paddle, kayak, walk  More

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The city continues to grow quickly, which a lot of people don't like. I get it, you fall in love with a city, and it's growing so fast that you don't recognize the same  More

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Reviews for River Forest    5 Reviews

River Forest as a whole is an old suburb outside of Chicago, very quiet and upscale. River Forest neighbors Oak Park, which does have much more to offer in terms of  More

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River Forest as a whole is an old suburb outside of Chicago, very quiet and upscale. River Forest neighbors Oak Park, which does have much more to offer in terms of  More

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River Forest as a whole is an old suburb outside of Chicago, very quiet and upscale. River Forest neighbors Oak Park, which does have much more to offer in terms of  More

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