Charleston, IL vs Lombard, IL

The cost of living difference between Charleston, IL and Lombard, IL is dramatic. Charleston is 41.1% cheaper than Lombard, a gap that translates to thousands of dollars per year in household expenses. Charleston has a cost index of 69 while Lombard sits at 118, 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 $1,834/month in Lombard — a 55% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Charleston is more affordable at $133,700 median vs $321,200.

Median household income in Charleston is $49,057 compared to $97,253 in Lombard (-49.6%). While Lombard 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 22.6% in Lombard.