Niles, IL vs Pontiac, IL

The cost of living difference between Niles, IL and Pontiac, IL is dramatic. Pontiac is 51.9% cheaper than Niles, a gap that translates to thousands of dollars per year in household expenses. Niles has a cost index of 102 while Pontiac sits at 67, 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 Niles is $1,247/month compared to $818/month in Pontiac — a 52% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Pontiac is more affordable at $110,200 median vs $350,900.

Median household income in Niles is $78,563 compared to $59,579 in Pontiac (+31.9%). The higher salaries in Niles partially offset the cost difference, but don't fully close the gap. Looking at affordability, residents of Niles spend roughly 19% of their income on rent, more than the 16.5% in Pontiac.

Climate-wise, both cities share similar average temperatures (51.3°F vs 52.3°F). Pontiac receives more rainfall at 40.4" per year compared to 37.9" in Niles.