Beardstown, IL vs Charleston, IL

Beardstown is moderately more affordable than Charleston, with a 8.4% lower cost of living index. Beardstown scores 64 compared to 69 for Charleston, where the US average is 100. This difference means residents of Charleston can expect to pay noticeably more for everyday expenses, housing, and services.

On the housing front, median rent in Beardstown is $769/month compared to $819/month in Charleston — a 6% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Beardstown is more affordable at $80,800 median vs $133,700.

Median household income in Beardstown is $58,765 compared to $49,057 in Charleston (+19.8%). Beardstown offers a double advantage: higher earnings combined with a lower cost of living, giving residents significantly more purchasing power. Looking at affordability, residents of Beardstown spend roughly 15.7% of their income on rent, less than the 20% in Charleston.