Essex, IL vs Latham, IL

The cost of living difference between Essex, IL and Latham, IL is dramatic. Latham is 30.5% cheaper than Essex, a gap that translates to thousands of dollars per year in household expenses. Essex has a cost index of 85 while Latham sits at 65, making this one of the more striking comparisons on our site. Relocating between these cities would require a serious reassessment of budget and lifestyle expectations.

On the housing front, median rent in Essex is $1,147/month compared to $936/month in Latham — a 23% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Latham is more affordable at $79,000 median vs $219,000.

Median household income in Essex is $101,094 compared to $76,667 in Latham (+31.9%). While Essex is more expensive, its higher salaries more than compensate — residents there may actually end up with more disposable income. Looking at affordability, residents of Essex spend roughly 13.6% of their income on rent, less than the 14.7% in Latham.

Climate-wise, Latham is notably warmer with an average of 53.1°F compared to 49.4°F in Essex. Latham receives more rainfall at 36.4" per year compared to 33.8" in Essex.