salaryRent here is among the lowest 10% of all U.S. cities. A typical house costs under 3 years of household income, which is easy by U.S. standards.
How much money do I need?
To rent here comfortably, you should earn about $38,000 a year. That is $18 an hour at a full-time job.
Is rent cheaper than other Michigan cities?
Yes. Rent here is cheaper than in most of Michigan. It is number 26 of 179 cities from cheapest to most expensive.
How much do households earn in Niles?
Share of households by yearly income. 8.4% of households earn $100,000 or more.
Rent by apartment size in Niles
| Size | Niles | U.S. average |
|---|---|---|
| Studio | $746 | $1,338 |
| 1 bedroom | $802 | $1,324 |
| 2 bedrooms | $986 | $1,509 |
| 3 bedrooms | $1,304 | $1,698 |
| 4 bedrooms | $1,751 | $2,098 |
Median monthly rent plus utilities for all renters, by number of bedrooms.
How expensive is Niles overall?
Everyday prices in the Niles metro area are 8% below the U.S. average (index 92.4, U.S. = 100).
Source: U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, Regional Price Parities 2024.
Taxes and bills in Niles
Life in Niles
What jobs pay in Niles
| Job | Median pay | Rent / pay |
|---|---|---|
| Pharmacist | $140,290 | 8.1% |
| Physician Assistant | $128,480 | 8.9% |
| Nurse Practitioner | $127,700 | 8.9% |
| Lawyer | $123,030 | 9.3% |
| Software Developer | $111,720 | 10.2% |
| Computer Systems Analyst | $97,100 | 11.7% |
| Civil Engineer | $92,620 | 12.3% |
| Operations Manager | $85,850 | 13.3% |
| Dental Hygienist | $80,020 | 14.2% |
| Market Research Analyst | $75,470 | 15.1% |
| Accountant | $75,140 | 15.2% |
| Licensed Practical Nurse | $74,530 | 15.3% |
| Police Officer | $66,610 | 17.1% |
| Electrician | $64,060 | 17.8% |
| Elementary School Teacher | $60,760 | 18.8% |
| Plumber | $59,810 | 19.1% |
| HVAC Technician | $58,130 | 19.6% |
| Carpenter | $54,620 | 20.9% |
| Firefighter | $50,600 | 22.5% |
| Truck Driver | $48,780 | 23.4% |
| Customer Service Representative | $43,620 | 26.1% |
| Medical Assistant | $41,100 | 27.7% |
| Nursing Assistant | $41,070 | 27.8% |
| Server (Waiter/Waitress) | $38,130 | 29.9% |
| Warehouse Worker | $37,790 | 30.2% |
| Restaurant Cook | $36,610 | 31.1% |
| Retail Salesperson | $34,170 | 33.4% |
| Cashier | $29,550 | 38.6% |
Is it cheaper to rent or buy in Niles?
About the same. Renting and owning cost within $13 of each other each month.
Owning assumes a typical $135,100 home, 10% down, a 30-year loan at 6.5% and about 1.5% a year for taxes and insurance. You would also need $13,510 for the down payment.
Frequently asked questions
What is the average rent in Niles, MI?
Renting in Niles costs a median of about $950 a month in 2026, including utilities. The Michigan median is $1,314.
How much do I need to make to live in Niles?
To keep rent under 30% of income, you need about $38,000 a year, or $18 an hour at a full-time job.
Is Niles cheap or expensive?
Niles is rated OK: rent takes 20.6% of the typical household income of $55,409. It ranks 26th cheapest of 179 Michigan cities we track.
How much are property taxes in Niles?
The median homeowner in Niles pays $1,517 a year in property taxes, about 1.12% of the median home value.
Is Niles more expensive than the national average?
Overall prices in the metro area are 8% below the U.S. average, according to the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis.
How much does a house cost in Niles?
The median home value in Niles is $135,100, about 2.4 times the typical yearly household income.
11,803 people live in Niles. Numbers are typical (middle) values.