Home / Select Cities  /  2024 Comparing Chicago, IL vs. Charleston, SC

2024 Compare Cities Cost of Living:
Chicago, IL vs Charleston, SC

Change Cities
Highlights
Is it cheaper to live in Charleston or is it cheaper to live in Chicago?
- Charleston is 6.0% more expensive than Chicago.

Which city has more affordable housing, Charleston or Chicago?
- Charleston housing costs are 32.8% more expensive than Chicago housing costs.

Is Health Care more affordable in Chicago or is Health Care more affordable in Charleston.
- Health related expenses are 9.7% more in Charleston.
 Chicago, ILCharleston, SCUnited States
 Overall105.7112.0100
 Food & Groceries97.2105.6100
 Health88.096.5100
 Housing99.8132.5100
 Median Home Cost$284,100$493,200$338,100
 Utilities9,280.0%10,160.0%10,000.0%
 Transportation138.594.1100
 Miscellaneous139.893.7100

100 = National Average (Below 100 means cheaper than the US average. Above 100 means more expensive.)
DID YOU KNOW?

In order to keep your same standard of living your salary can vary greatly - whether you buy or rent, require child care, or want to include taxes. This is why we are now offering a Premium Salary & Cost of Living Calculator.

Our Premium Calculator Includes:
- Compare Cities cost of living across 9 different categories
- Personal salary calculations can optionally include Home ownership or rental, Child care, and Taxes (with details on state and local sales, income, property and automobile taxes)
- Includes the cost of Child Care for toddlers or infants, at a day care center or home care
- Grocery prices, detailed for 29 staple items in six categories
- Difference in cost of Utilities, including electric, gas and fuel oil
- Health Care Premiums and hospital expenses for major surgeries
- Taxes, Fees and Expenses you should know about, such as local car insurance rates, automobile taxes and registration, commuting costs.
- and 100s of other items you should consider before you relocate

Upgrade to Premium | See Example

View More Data >

Reviews for Chicago    271 Reviews

I've lived in Chicago city and later moved to suburbs when family size increased. Absolutely love this city. This is the cleanest and most beautiful among the major  More

   |    Reply

Chicago is probably the best value in a major city that you can find and my personal favorite city. It will become increasingly important as climate change makes the  More

   |    Reply

I've live on north side and south side, UIC medical center. Don't move here go to the north side. No good amenities, if you get bored with one there is no other choices.  More

   |    Reply

Start Your Review of Chicago

Reviews for Charleston    76 Reviews

Over 1 years ago

Charleston is beautiful and unique and incredibly special. If you don't believe me, just ask Anthony Bourdain in his Parts Unknown episode - and he was an insightful  More

   |    Reply

Serious lack of health care and "good old boys club" whereby doctors will not even see the patient but diagnose them based on referring doctor. My sister died there for  More

   |    Reply

Over 4 years ago

Boy, has this once beautiful town changed...for the worse! I initially moved here 20 years ago because the people were so nice, no traffic, great choice of hospitals,  More

   |    Reply

Start Your Review of Charleston

 Most Recent Searches On Compare Cities
COMPARE COST OF LIVING
Compare Chicago, Illinois Cost of Living vs Charleston, South Carolina Cost of Living: Taxes, Childcare, Groceries, Health...
Compare Now


ZIPS IN CHICAGO, ILLINOIS
60629, 60618, 60632, 60639, 60623, 60647, 60617, 60625, 60608, 60634, 56 total
ZIPS IN CHARLESTON, SOUTH CAROLINA
29412, 29414, 29407, 29403, 29455, 29492, 29401, 29450, 29409, 29424, 10 total

PREMIUM SUBSCRIPTION

Includes Cost of Living compares for child care, utilities, transportation, health, taxes, housing for home owners vs renters, weather, insurance premiums and so much more.

Try Now