Can A Dental Hygienist Afford Rent in Charleston, IL?

Comfortably affordable — rent takes 10.2% of gross income.

Charleston rent: September 2026. Salary: BLS OEWS May 2024 (Illinois state estimate).

Charleston median rent
$762/mo
Dental Hygienist salary (Illinois)
$89,260/yr
Rent as % of income
10.2%
Gross monthly income works out to about $7,438, and the 30% rule supports up to $2,232/mo in rent. Charleston's median rent of $762 leaves roughly $1,470/mo of headroom under that threshold. A dental hygienist works roughly 17.8 hours a month to cover that rent.

About rent and a dental hygienist salary

Dental hygienist pay covers comfortable rent in most US metros. At the national-average dental-hygienist salary, the 30% rule supports about $2,188 a month in rent, which is above the median in most cities.

Cheaper rent nearby

These Illinois cities have lower median rent than Charleston, which improves the affordability math on a dental hygienist salary:

Rockford, IL
$731/mo (9.8% of income)
Belleville, IL
$729/mo (9.8% of income)
Carbondale, IL
$673/mo (9% of income)

Compare with full rent data for Charleston

View full rent data for Charleston, IL →

Frequently asked questions

Can a dental hygienist afford rent in Charleston, IL?

Median rent in Charleston is $762 a month. A typical dental hygienist in Illinois earns about $89,260 a year, which makes that rent 10.2% of gross monthly income. Under the 30% rule, the answer is yes.

How much rent can a dental hygienist afford in Charleston?

Using the 30% rule, a dental hygienist salary in Illinois (~$89,260/yr) supports up to $2,232 a month in rent. Charleston's current median rent is $762/mo, which leaves a $1,470/mo buffer.

How many hours does a dental hygienist work to cover rent in Charleston?

At an hourly equivalent of about $43 an hour, a dental hygienist in Illinois works roughly 17.8 hours a month to cover Charleston's median rent of $762.

Where is rent cheaper than Charleston for a dental hygienist?

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 hygienist salary.

Methodology: Salary uses the BLS-derived Illinois state estimate from OEWS May 2024. Rent is the most recent ZORI monthly value for Charleston, IL. Affordability applies the 30% rule (rent ≤ 30% of gross income). Real take-home varies with taxes, household composition, overtime, tips, and benefits.