Columbia, IL vs Niles, IL

Columbia is moderately more affordable than Niles, with a 12.1% lower cost of living index. Columbia scores 90 compared to 102 for Niles, where the US average is 100. This difference means residents of Niles can expect to pay noticeably more for everyday expenses, housing, and services.

On the housing front, median rent in Columbia is $1,089/month compared to $1,247/month in Niles — a 13% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Columbia is more affordable at $290,100 median vs $350,900.

Median household income in Columbia is $107,922 compared to $78,563 in Niles (+37.4%). Columbia offers a double advantage: higher earnings combined with a lower cost of living, giving residents significantly more purchasing power. Looking at affordability, residents of Columbia spend roughly 12.1% of their income on rent, less than the 19% in Niles.