Can A Dental Assistant Afford Rent in Charleston, IL?
Comfortably affordable — rent takes 18.5% of gross income.
Charleston rent: September 2026. Salary: BLS OEWS May 2024 (Illinois state estimate).
About rent and a dental assistant salary
Dental assistant pay sits near the US median household income. At the national-average dental-assistant salary, the 30% rule supports about $1,214 a month in rent, which is achievable in most lower- and mid-cost metros.
Cheaper rent nearby
These Illinois cities have lower median rent than Charleston, which improves the affordability math on a dental assistant salary:
Compare with full rent data for Charleston
View full rent data for Charleston, IL →Frequently asked questions
Can a dental assistant afford rent in Charleston, IL?
Median rent in Charleston is $762 a month. A typical dental assistant in Illinois earns about $49,531 a year, which makes that rent 18.5% of gross monthly income. Under the 30% rule, the answer is yes.
How much rent can a dental assistant afford in Charleston?
Using the 30% rule, a dental assistant salary in Illinois (~$49,531/yr) supports up to $1,238 a month in rent. Charleston's current median rent is $762/mo, which leaves a $476/mo buffer.
How many hours does a dental assistant work to cover rent in Charleston?
At an hourly equivalent of about $24 an hour, a dental assistant in Illinois works roughly 32 hours a month to cover Charleston's median rent of $762.
Where is rent cheaper than Charleston for a dental assistant?
Nearby Illinois cities with lower median rent include Rockford ($731/mo), Belleville ($729/mo), Carbondale ($673/mo). Each shifts the affordability math materially on a dental assistant salary.