Can A Software Developer Afford Rent in Charleston, IL?
Comfortably affordable — rent takes 6.2% of gross income.
Charleston rent: June 2026. Salary: BLS OEWS May 2024 (Illinois state estimate).
About rent and a software developer salary
Software developer pay is among the highest of any large occupation, which makes rent affordability comfortable in nearly every US city. The interesting question for developers is not whether they can afford rent, but how much surplus is left after rent in different markets. At the national-average developer salary, the 30% rule supports about $3,453 a month in rent — well above the median rent in even the most expensive US metros. The per-city pages quantify how much paycheck remains after typical local rent at the local developer-pay estimate.
Cheaper rent nearby
These Illinois cities have lower median rent than Charleston, which improves the affordability math on a software developer salary:
Compare with full rent data for Charleston
View full rent data for Charleston, IL →Frequently asked questions
Can a software developer afford rent in Charleston, IL?
Median rent in Charleston is $730 a month. A typical software developer in Illinois earns about $140,872 a year, which makes that rent 6.2% of gross monthly income. Under the 30% rule, the answer is yes.
How much rent can a software developer afford in Charleston?
Using the 30% rule, a software developer salary in Illinois (~$140,872/yr) supports up to $3,522 a month in rent. Charleston's current median rent is $730/mo, which leaves a $2,792/mo buffer.
How many hours does a software developer work to cover rent in Charleston?
At an hourly equivalent of about $68 an hour, a software developer in Illinois works roughly 10.8 hours a month to cover Charleston's median rent of $730.
Where is rent cheaper than Charleston for a software developer?
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 software developer salary.