Markham, IL vs Niles, IL

Markham is moderately more affordable than Niles, with a 5.4% lower cost of living index. Markham scores 97 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 Markham is $1,689/month compared to $1,247/month in Niles — a 35% difference. Interestingly, home values tell a different story: while Niles has cheaper rent, Markham actually has lower median home values ($119,500 vs $350,900).

Median household income in Markham is $52,364 compared to $78,563 in Niles (-33.3%). While Niles is more expensive, its higher salaries more than compensate — residents there may actually end up with more disposable income. Looking at affordability, residents of Markham spend roughly 38.7% of their income on rent, more than the 19% in Niles. The Niles ratio exceeds the commonly recommended 30% threshold, which can put pressure on household budgets.

Climate-wise, both cities share similar average temperatures (52.1°F vs 51.3°F). Niles receives more rainfall at 37.9" per year compared to 34.4" in Markham.