Can A HVAC Technician Afford Rent in Charleston, IL?
Comfortably affordable — rent takes 15% of gross income.
Charleston rent: June 2026. Salary: BLS OEWS May 2024 (Illinois state estimate).
About rent and a hvac technician salary
HVAC technician pay sits near the US median household income and rises sharply with certification and overtime. At the national-average HVAC salary, the 30% rule supports about $1,433 a month in rent.
Cheaper rent nearby
These Illinois cities have lower median rent than Charleston, which improves the affordability math on a hvac technician salary:
Compare with full rent data for Charleston
View full rent data for Charleston, IL →Frequently asked questions
Can a hvac technician afford rent in Charleston, IL?
Median rent in Charleston is $730 a month. A typical hvac technician in Illinois earns about $58,446 a year, which makes that rent 15% of gross monthly income. Under the 30% rule, the answer is yes.
How much rent can a hvac technician afford in Charleston?
Using the 30% rule, a hvac technician salary in Illinois (~$58,446/yr) supports up to $1,461 a month in rent. Charleston's current median rent is $730/mo, which leaves a $731/mo buffer.
How many hours does a hvac technician work to cover rent in Charleston?
At an hourly equivalent of about $28 an hour, a hvac technician in Illinois works roughly 26 hours a month to cover Charleston's median rent of $730.
Where is rent cheaper than Charleston for a hvac technician?
Nearby Illinois cities with lower median rent include Belleville ($724/mo), Carbondale ($679/mo), Belleville ($671/mo). Each shifts the affordability math materially on a hvac technician salary.