At $762/mo, rent takes about 19% of the local median household income, comfortably within the 30% benchmark.
Rent by unit size
These are HUD Fair Market Rents, the payment standard for a Housing Choice Voucher (Section 8). They often differ from the $762 market median above, and that is expected: FMR is the 40th percentile of standard-quality units and counts gross rent, so it includes essential utilities such as electricity, water, gas, sewer, and trash. The market median is asking rent, which usually excludes utilities. HUD sets FMR once a year; market rent here updates monthly.
Source: HUD Small Area Fair Market Rents. Read the methodology →
12-month history
Last updated: October 17, 2026
What the numbers show
30% of the median household income ($49,300) is $1,233 a month. That covers HUD's Fair Market Rent for up to a 3-bedroom ($1,230); a 4-bedroom is $1,320.
From Zillow's monthly rent index (ZORI) for Charleston. Income is the Census median household income (5-year estimates). Fair Market Rents are HUD’s, which include utilities.
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Who lives here
Charleston, IL is roughly split between renters and owners, skews toward younger working-age adults, has a median income below the national average, 33.3% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau · ACS 2024 5-Year Estimates
How Charleston, IL has changed in 5 years
Household income in the area moved from $44,371 to $49,300 across the same window, up 11.1% versus 2021. Headcount in the area went from 18,130 to 17,062 between 2021 and 2024, a 5.9% change.
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Can you afford rent in Charleston on your salary?
At $762/mo, how Charleston rent compares to typical pay (30% rule).
Charleston rent by bedroom count
Median rent for each apartment size in Charleston. Click any size for full breakdown.
Tips for renters in Charleston
Last updated: October 17, 2026
The median rent in Charleston is $762/mo as of October 2026. A studio apartment averages $640/mo while a 2-bedroom runs $930/mo. One-bedroom apartments average $720/mo and 3-bedroom units go for $1,230/mo.
At 19% of local median household income ($49,300/yr), Charleston ranks as affordable compared to the national benchmark of 30%. Rent prices have stayed steady over the past year.
Frequently asked questions
How much income do you need to rent in Charleston?
Is rent going up or down in Charleston?
How does Charleston rent compare to other cities in Illinois?
At $762/mo, rent takes ~19% of Charleston's median household income ($49,300/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%.
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Estimated from ZIP-level data
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