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City Report · IL

Charleston

Pop. 17,062·142nd most expensive in Illinois·One of the most affordable rental markets in the US
Median rent (all units)
$730/mo
Year-over-Year
Stable
Month-over-Month
-4.7%
vs US Median
-$1,235
Falling (Monthly)
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Most AffordableMost Expensive
Charleston · $730
More affordable than 100% of US cities · National median $1,965/mo
Affordability
18% of income
VERY AFFORDABLE
0%30% benchmark60%+

At $730/mo, rent takes about 18% of the local median household income, comfortably within the 30% benchmark.

Income to afford
$29,000/yr
Local median income
$49,300/yr
Based on the 30%-of-income rule using Charleston's median rent and household income. See the full affordability breakdown →
Medians by bedroom

Rent by unit size

Studio
$640
1 BR
$720
2 BR
$930
3 BR
$1,230
4 BR+
$1,320
Research median
$930/mo

Bedroom estimates are gross rents that include essential utilities (electricity, water, gas, sewer, trash).

Rent trends

12-month history

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Last updated: July 20, 2026

Annual cost
$8,760/yr
At $730/mo median
Rent Market Meter
Strong Renter's Market
Renter's MarketBalancedLandlord's Market
Rents are down 0.0% year-over-year. Push hard on price, concessions, and lease terms.
Based on rent-price momentum (+0.0% YoY, -4.7% MoM), not inventory.
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Demographics

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.

Population
17,062
Median income
$49,300
Median age
29.6
Renters
52%
Age distribution
44.6%
18.1%
15.3%
Under 1811.8%
18–3444.6%
35–5418.1%
55–6410.3%
65+15.3%
Gender
47.5%
52.5%
Male47.5%
Female52.5%
Race & ethnicity
85.4%
White85.4%
Black6.9%
Hispanic4.5%
Asian2%
Other1.3%
Education (25+)
28.2%
31.9%
33.3%
No HS diploma6.5%
HS diploma28.2%
Some college31.9%
Bachelor's+33.3%
Housing tenure
48%
52%
Owner48%
Renter52%

Source: U.S. Census Bureau · ACS 2024 5-Year Estimates

2021 vs 2026

How Charleston, IL has changed in 5 years

Income
$44,371 → $49,300
up 11.1%
Population
18,130 → 17,062
down 5.9%
Renter share
53.2% → 52%
-1.2 pts
Bachelor's+
32.7% → 33.3%
+0.6 pts
Median age
26.8 → 29.6
+2.8 yrs

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.

Community

Discussions about Charleston

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View Charleston rent history (2015–2026) →
Salary vs rent

Can you afford rent in Charleston on your salary?

At $730/mo, how Charleston rent compares to typical pay (30% rule).

By apartment size

Charleston rent by bedroom count

Median rent for each apartment size in Charleston. Click any size for full breakdown.

Local insights

Tips for renters in Charleston

About renting in Charleston, IL

Last updated: July 20, 2026

The median rent in Charleston is $730/mo as of July 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 18% 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.

FAQ

Frequently asked questions

Is Charleston an affordable city for renters?

Charleston is considered very affordable for renters. At $730/mo, rent takes approximately 18% of the local median household income ($49,300/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%. Charleston falls comfortably within that range.

How much income do you need to rent in Charleston?

To keep rent at or below 30% of gross income, you would need to earn at least $29,000/year (~$14/hour full-time) to afford the median rent of $730/mo in Charleston. The local median household income is $49,300/yr, meaning the typical Charleston household meets that threshold.

Is rent going up or down in Charleston?

Rent in Charleston has been relatively stable over the past year, with a 0.0% change year over year as of July 2026.

How does Charleston rent compare to other cities in Illinois?

Charleston is one of the more affordable cities in Illinois for rent, ranking #142 out of 142 tracked cities at $730/mo.

What percentage of Charleston residents rent vs. own?

According to Census data, approximately 52% of Charleston households are renters, while 48% are owner-occupied. With a majority renter population, Charleston has a strong rental market.

How does Charleston rent compare to the national average?

Charleston's median rent of $730/mo is $1,235 (63%) below the US national median of $1,965/mo. Within Illinois, it ranks #142 out of 142 tracked cities.
Income Affordability
18%
VERY AFFORDABLE

At $730/mo, rent takes ~18% of Charleston's median household income ($49,300/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%.

Charleston 18%Benchmark 30%
State income tax4.95%
Run the Charleston affordability calculator →
Lowest-rent ZIP codes in Charleston
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Neighborhoods

Estimated from ZIP-level data

Schools nearby

Public schools near Charleston, IL

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