Charleston, IL vs Romeoville, IL

The cost of living difference between Charleston, IL and Romeoville, IL is dramatic. Charleston is 38.8% cheaper than Romeoville, a gap that translates to thousands of dollars per year in household expenses. Charleston has a cost index of 69 while Romeoville sits at 113, 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 $1,892/month in Romeoville — a 57% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Charleston is more affordable at $133,700 median vs $245,200.

Median household income in Charleston is $49,057 compared to $100,022 in Romeoville (-51%). While Romeoville 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 22.7% in Romeoville.