Markham, IL vs St. Charles, IL

There is a significant gap in the cost of living between these two cities. Markham is 19.5% cheaper than St. Charles. With a cost index of 97 vs 120, the difference would have a meaningful impact on a household's monthly budget. Someone relocating from Markham to St. Charles should plan for substantially higher expenses across most categories.

On the housing front, median rent in Markham is $1,689/month compared to $1,788/month in St. Charles — a 6% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Markham is more affordable at $119,500 median vs $369,700.

Median household income in Markham is $52,364 compared to $115,350 in St. Charles (-54.6%). While St. Charles 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 18.6% in St. Charles. The St. Charles 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 49.7°F). Markham receives more rainfall at 34.4" per year compared to 33.2" in St. Charles.