City Comparison

Champaign vs Greenville

Cost of Living Comparison · 2026

Champaign

Illinois
81
Very Affordable
$215,000
Median Home
$1,100/mo
Median Rent
$56,100
Median Income

Greenville

South Carolina
95
Below Average
$250,000
Median Home
$1,200/mo
Median Rent
$48,912
Median Income

The Verdict

14.7%

Living in Champaign costs 14.7% less than Greenville. To match the purchasing power of a $75,000 salary in Champaign, you would need $87,963 in Greenville.

Category-by-Category Breakdown

Index values · National average = 100 · Lower is more affordable

Housing
83
Champaign
85
Greenville
Groceries
98
Champaign
98
Greenville
Utilities
106
Champaign
96
Greenville
Transportation
99
Champaign
97
Greenville
Healthcare
90
Champaign
103
Greenville

Salary Equivalence

A $75,000 salary in Champaign has the same purchasing power as $87,963 in Greenville.

Conversely, $75,000 in Greenville equals $63,947 in Champaign.

Living in Champaign vs Greenville

Housing Costs

Champaign's housing index of 83 is lower Greenville's 85, translating to median home prices of $215,000 vs $250,000. The $35,000 difference in home prices means roughly $2,280 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,100/mo in Champaign compared to $1,200/mo in Greenville, a monthly difference of $100.

Grocery & Food Costs

Grocery expenses index at 98 in Champaign and 98 in Greenville. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $466/month in Champaign vs $466/month in Greenville. The difference in grocery costs between these cities is relatively minor and unlikely to be a deciding factor in relocation.

Utility Expenses

Utility costs — electricity, gas, water, internet — index at 106 in Champaign and 96 in Greenville. Monthly utility bills average approximately $424 in Champaign vs $384 in Greenville. Utility costs are relatively comparable between these two cities.

Healthcare

Healthcare costs index at 90 in Champaign and 103 in Greenville. This encompasses insurance premiums, doctor visit copays, dental care, and prescription costs. The 13-point gap reflects real differences in provider costs, insurance market competition, and regional healthcare infrastructure.

Income & Purchasing Power

Median household income is $56,100 in Champaign and $48,912 in Greenville. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $69,259 and $51,486 respectively. Champaign residents enjoy stronger real purchasing power despite higher nominal wages.

Relocation Considerations

Under the standard 28% rule, a median-income household can allocate $1,309/month to housing in Champaign vs $1,141/month in Greenville. In Champaign, median rent of $1,100/mo fits within this budget. In Greenville, median rent of $1,200/mo pushes past the recommended limit. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Healthcare, where the gap is 13 index points — focus your budget analysis there.

Frequently Asked Questions

Champaign is 14.7% more affordable overall with an index of 81 vs 95.
A $75,000 salary in Champaign has equivalent purchasing power to approximately $87,963 in Greenville, based on the cost of living difference.
Champaign's housing index is 83 with median homes at $215,000, while Greenville's is 85 with median homes at $250,000.

Moving & Relocation Resources

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