Wood River is a small town of 1,405 in Nebraska, with a median household income of $69,459
and a 5.2% unemployment rate.
Its cost of living index is 87 (US average = 100), which is
13% below the national average.
Strengths:
Wood River stands out for an affordable cost of living, below-average home prices, solid school ratings (A-), short average commutes.
Trade-offs:
Potential downsides include an elevated unemployment rate. Whether Wood River is right for you depends on your priorities — the full breakdown is below.
All Wood River city data on this page comes from official government sources —
the US Census Bureau, FBI, NCES, BEA, and NOAA — updated annually.
Cost of Living
Index: 87.3
Wood River's overall cost of living index is 87.3,
where 100 represents the US national average.
Living in Wood River costs roughly 13% less than the average American city.
Metric
Wood River, NE
National Avg
Median Home Value
$125,000
$244,900
Median Monthly Rent
$883
$1,163
Homeownership Rate
75.3%
65.9%
Median Household Income
$69,459
$74,755
Crime & Safety
Safer than Average
Wood River's violent crime rate is 326.0 per 100,000 residents
— 14% lower than the national average of ~380 per 100,000.
Violent Crime
326.0 /100k
Property Crime
1709.8 /100k
Vertical marker = national average. Source: FBI UCR Program.
Schools & Education
Wood River is served primarily by WOOD RIVER RURAL SCHOOLS.
The student-to-teacher ratio is 9.7:1
(better than the national average of ~16:1).
Metric
Wood River, NE
National Avg
School District
WOOD RIVER RURAL SCHOOLS
—
Elementary Schools
1
—
Middle Schools
1
—
High Schools
1
—
Student/Teacher Ratio
9.7:1
16:1
Bachelor's Degree or Higher
20.0%
35.4%
High School Diploma or Higher
89.6%
91.1%
Weather & Climate
Wood River sees average highs of 35.5°F in January
and 86.8°F in July,
with 28.4 inches of annual precipitation
and 28.6 inches of snow per year.
Wood River's cost of living index is 87, where 100 is the national average.
That makes Wood River roughly 13% less expensive than a typical US city — a meaningful affordability advantage.
The median home price is $125,000 and median rent is $883/month.
Wood River's violent crime rate is 326.0 per 100,000 residents — the national average is ~380 per 100,000. Property crime is 1709.8 per 100,000 (national avg ~2,100). Data from the FBI Uniform Crime Reporting Program.
Public schools in Wood River are operated by WOOD RIVER RURAL SCHOOLS.
The district has 1 elementary, 1 middle, and 1 high schools.
The student-to-teacher ratio is 9.7:1. 20.0% of adults 25+ hold a bachelor's degree or higher.
Wood River, NE has a population of 1,405, a median household income of $69,459, and an unemployment rate of 5.2%.
It offers below-average costs of living, which stretches take-home pay further than in most American cities. Whether it's right for you depends on your priorities — use the compare tool above to stack it against another city you're considering.
Wood River averages 35.5°F in January and 86.8°F in July. Annual rainfall is 28.4 inches
with about 28.6 inches of snow per year.
Based on NOAA 30-year climate normals (1991–2020).
Wood River, NE is covered by 1 ZIP code: 68883.
The population of Wood River, Nebraska is 1,405 with a median age of 35.6. Source: US Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
Key numbers for living in Wood River: cost of living index 87 (100 = US average), median home $125,000, median household income $69,459, crime index 84 (100 = US average, lower is safer), schools rated A-. Whether these are benefits or drawbacks depends on where you're coming from — compare Wood River side by side with your current city to see the trade-offs.
