Side-by-side cost of living comparison for 2026
Charleston and Chicago have very similar costs of living, with less than a 3% difference overall.
Index values shown. National average = 100. Lower is cheaper.
To maintain the same standard of living:
See exact take-home pay: South Carolina salaries · Illinois salaries
Housing is typically the biggest factor in any cost-of-living comparison. Charleston has a housing index of 127 while Chicago sits at 112 (national average = 100). The median home in Charleston costs $380,000 compared to $310,000 in Chicago, a difference of $70,000. Monthly rent follows a similar pattern: $1,600 in Charleston versus $1,700 in Chicago.
Groceries and everyday expenses show a narrower gap: Charleston scores 102 while Chicago scores 104. Both cities are close to the national average for grocery costs.
Healthcare costs in Charleston (104) are higher than Chicago (101). Both are close to the national average.
Median household income in Charleston is $65,872 compared to $62,097 in Chicago. When adjusted for cost of living, purchasing power is similar in both cities.
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