Glendale Heights, IL vs Markham, IL

Markham is moderately more affordable than Glendale Heights, with a 7% lower cost of living index. Glendale Heights scores 104 compared to 97 for Markham, where the US average is 100. This difference means residents of Glendale Heights can expect to pay noticeably more for everyday expenses, housing, and services.

On the housing front, median rent in Glendale Heights is $1,562/month compared to $1,689/month in Markham — a 8% difference. Interestingly, home values tell a different story: while Glendale Heights has cheaper rent, Markham actually has lower median home values ($119,500 vs $249,000).

Median household income in Glendale Heights is $82,232 compared to $52,364 in Markham (+57%). While Glendale Heights is more expensive, its higher salaries more than compensate — residents there may actually end up with more disposable income. Looking at affordability, residents of Glendale Heights spend roughly 22.8% of their income on rent, less than the 38.7% in Markham. The Glendale Heights ratio exceeds the commonly recommended 30% threshold, which can put pressure on household budgets.

Climate-wise, both cities share similar average temperatures (49.7°F vs 52.1°F). Markham receives more rainfall at 34.4" per year compared to 33.2" in Glendale Heights.