Charleston, IL vs Peoria Heights, IL

Charleston, IL and Peoria Heights, IL have a very similar cost of living, with only a 1% difference in their overall index. Charleston scores 69 while Peoria Heights scores 69 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 $921/month in Peoria Heights — a 11% difference. Interestingly, home values tell a different story: while Charleston has cheaper rent, Peoria Heights actually has lower median home values ($118,000 vs $133,700).

Median household income in Charleston is $49,057 compared to $62,083 in Peoria Heights (-21%). Peoria Heights 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 17.8% in Peoria Heights.