Side-by-side cost of living comparison for 2026
Charleston and Naperville have very similar costs of living, with less than a 3% difference overall.
Index values shown. National average = 100. Lower is cheaper.
To maintain the same standard of living:
See exact take-home pay: South Carolina salaries · Illinois salaries
Housing is typically the biggest factor in any cost-of-living comparison. Charleston has a housing index of 127 while Naperville sits at 130 (national average = 100). The median home in Charleston costs $380,000 compared to $430,000 in Naperville, a difference of $50,000. Monthly rent follows a similar pattern: $1,600 in Charleston versus $1,800 in Naperville.
Groceries and everyday expenses show a narrower gap: Charleston scores 102 while Naperville scores 104. Both cities are close to the national average for grocery costs.
Healthcare costs in Charleston (104) are higher than Naperville (101). Both are close to the national average.
Median household income in Charleston is $65,872 compared to $118,254 in Naperville. When adjusted for cost of living, purchasing power is similar in both cities.
Amazon affiliate links