Charleston, IL vs Mount Zion, IL

Charleston, IL and Mount Zion, IL have a very similar cost of living, with only a 2.3% difference in their overall index. Charleston scores 69 while Mount Zion scores 68 on the cost of living index, where 100 represents the national average. The day-to-day expenses for residents in both cities are comparable, though differences emerge when looking at specific categories.

On the housing front, median rent in Charleston is $819/month compared to $696/month in Mount Zion — a 18% difference. Interestingly, home values tell a different story: while Mount Zion has cheaper rent, Charleston actually has lower median home values ($133,700 vs $200,300).

Median household income in Charleston is $49,057 compared to $110,786 in Mount Zion (-55.7%). Mount Zion offers a double advantage: higher earnings combined with a lower cost of living, giving residents significantly more purchasing power. Looking at affordability, residents of Charleston spend roughly 20% of their income on rent, more than the 7.5% in Mount Zion.