Charleston, IL vs Lakemoor, IL

The cost of living difference between Charleston, IL and Lakemoor, IL is dramatic. Charleston is 36.4% cheaper than Lakemoor, a gap that translates to thousands of dollars per year in household expenses. Charleston has a cost index of 69 while Lakemoor sits at 109, 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 Charleston is $819/month compared to $1,711/month in Lakemoor — a 52% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Charleston is more affordable at $133,700 median vs $261,300.

Median household income in Charleston is $49,057 compared to $96,929 in Lakemoor (-49.4%). While Lakemoor is more expensive, its higher salaries more than compensate — residents there may actually end up with more disposable income. Looking at affordability, residents of Charleston spend roughly 20% of their income on rent, less than the 21.2% in Lakemoor.