Champaign, IL vs St. Charles, IL

The cost of living difference between Champaign, IL and St. Charles, IL is dramatic. Champaign is 32.3% cheaper than St. Charles, a gap that translates to thousands of dollars per year in household expenses. Champaign has a cost index of 82 while St. Charles sits at 120, making this one of the more striking comparisons on our site. Relocating between these cities would require a serious reassessment of budget and lifestyle expectations.

On the housing front, median rent in Champaign is $1,103/month compared to $1,788/month in St. Charles — a 38% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Champaign is more affordable at $199,700 median vs $369,700.

Median household income in Champaign is $57,544 compared to $115,350 in St. Charles (-50.1%). While St. Charles is more expensive, its higher salaries more than compensate — residents there may actually end up with more disposable income. Looking at affordability, residents of Champaign spend roughly 23% of their income on rent, more than the 18.6% in St. Charles.