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The most comprehensive cost of living comparison tool for US cities. Make informed relocation decisions with real data from trusted sources.

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CharlestonvsChicago

Moving from Charleston to Chicago will cost approximately $21,276 more on median home prices (4.2% higher). Monthly rent is $89 more expensive in Chicago. Median income is 21.9% higher in Chicago, helping offset housing costs.

Housing
4.2% more
Rent
4.2% more
View CharlestonView Chicago
Chicago

Side-by-Side Comparison

Origin

Charleston, SC

Median Home Price$503,998
Monthly Rent$2,100
Median Income$60,021
Population135,524
Destination

Chicago, IL

Median Home Price
$525,274+4.2%
Monthly Rent
$2,189+4.2%
Median Income
$73,194+21.9%
Population2,720,556
Housing

Rent History & Trends

Understanding how rental prices have changed over time helps predict future affordability and make informed decisions about your move.

Charleston

2015$1,204
2020$1,423
2025$2,100

Chicago

2015$1,513
2020$1,592
2025$2,189

Annual Cost of Living

A comprehensive breakdown of annual living expenses helps you budget effectively for your new life in Chicago.

Charleston

Housing$7,926
Food$5,625
Transport$12,804
Healthcare$9,671
Total$49,900

Chicago

Housing$7,516
Food$5,442
Transport$13,003
Healthcare$12,465
Total$50,964
Costs

Key Insights

4.2%
Housing Cost
more expensive in Chicago
$89
Monthly Rent Difference
additional cost per month
21.9%
Income Level
higher median income

Demographics

Charleston

Population135,524
Median Age35.0 yrs
Violent Crime Rate514 per 100k
Property Crime Rate2494 per 100k

Chicago

Population2,720,556
Median Age34.2 yrs
Violent Crime Rate345 per 100k
Property Crime Rate1393 per 100k

Safety & Crime Statistics

Charleston

514
Violent Crime Rate (per 100k)
2494
Property Crime Rate (per 100k)

Chicago

345
Violent Crime Rate (per 100k)
1393
Property Crime Rate (per 100k)

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Frequently Asked Questions

Is it cheaper to live in Chicago or Charleston?

Charleston is 4.2% cheaper for housing than Chicago. The median home price in Charleston is $503,998 compared to $525,274 in Chicago.

What is the rent difference between Charleston and Chicago?

Monthly rent in Chicago averages $2,189, while Charleston averages $2,100. That's a difference of $89 per month, or $1,064 annually.

How do incomes compare between Charleston and Chicago?

The median household income in Chicago is $73,194, which is 21.9% higher than Charleston's median of $60,021.

Which city is safer: Charleston or Chicago?

Charleston has a violent crime rate of 514 per 100k residents, while Chicago has 345 per 100k. Chicago is statistically safer.

What is Estates?

Estates is a comprehensive cost of living comparison platform covering over 3,900 US cities. We help you compare housing prices, rent, income levels, crime rates, demographics, and climate data to make informed relocation decisions. Our data comes from trusted sources including Zillow, the U.S. Census Bureau, FBI, and NOAA.