Cost Of Living
The overall cost of living in this area is much lower than average. This includes everyday goods and services, as well as housing, utilities and health care.
Housing
This area has received high scores in the housing category. This could be due to a positive home affordability ratio, high appreciation rates or elevated home values.
Health & Safety
A high score in the health and safety category is a result of good air quality and the accessibility to health facilities such as hospitals, clinics, doctors, pharmacies and fire stations.
Ratings
Local residents have positive things to say about the proximity of restaurants, grocery stores, parks, public transit, friendliness of neighbors, sense of community and overall safety of the area.
Commute
Public transportation is not readily available in this area and the average commute time to work could also be longer than the national average.
Employment
A low score in the employment category could indicate that this area struggles with high unemployment rates and low household income and income per capita levels.
Schools
Lower than average education levels, poor reading and math scores, as well as the inaccessibility of local elementary and high schools could all be factors in the low schools score.
Charleston, Illinois is a moderately-sized city with a population of 20,141 inhabitants. If we take a look at the last Census, the vast majority of the population falls within one racial group (87% White). Given that fact, Charleston could be considered less diverse than other cities. Charleston could be a great place for young adults and students as the average age of 28 years old is below the nation’s average. In Charleston, only 36% of people over the age of fifteen are married. This city could be a good option for singles ready to mingle. Not a fan of sitting in traffic during your commute to work? Charleston offers shorter work commutes, with an average one-way commute time taking only 15 minutes, far lower than the national average of 26 minutes.
If you’re considering moving to any new city, it could be a very daunting task. However, it could also be a good experience if you are willing to get to know the town before actually living in Charleston, Illinois. When searching for a new neighborhood, several key items should be considered. Safety is of utmost importance, ensuring a secure environment with low crime. Proximity to your workplace or school helps reduce commuting time and offers convenience. Access to amenities such as parks, grocery stores, and healthcare facilities enhances your daily life. Public transportation options contribute to easy mobility. A sense of community fosters a supportive and engaging environment. Lastly, the overall atmosphere should align with your desired lifestyle, ensuring a fulfilling living experience. Considering these items will guide you towards finding the perfect neighborhood that fits all your needs. To help you find the best places to live in and around Charleston, AreaVibes has created a livability score using key metrics like amenities, cost of living, commute, housing and more.
Charleston, IL receives 73 out of 100 for its livability score; this results in a ranking of #198 in Illinois and #4,027 in the USA. For each of the livability categories, we can establish that Charleston ranks very well for crime (A+), cost of living (A+) and housing (A-). There are some categories that Charleston ranks poorly for, including: education (F) and employment (F). It might be worth taking a closer look to determine why.
Real estate represents the most substantial investment for homebuyers, constituting their most valuable asset. Renters, on the other hand, typically see their monthly rent as their most significant expense. The Charleston market earns a high score in the housing category, surpassing the national average in factors like home and rental affordability and appreciation rates. This robust real estate market not only benefits individual homeowners and renters but also spurs vigorous local economic activity and job growth, solidifying its significance in driving the region's prosperity and financial well-being.
There are many factors that go into deciding if an area is the right fit for your lifestyle. Certain “must haves” like low crime, great schools and nearby amenities are all at the top of most people's lists. But before even considering if those options are attainable, we'll need to know if the real estate in Charleston is actually affordable. The median home price for Charleston homes is $110,500, which is 36.8% lower than the Illinois average. If we take a closer look at the affordability of homes in Charleston, we’ll see that the home price to income ratio is 2.7, which is 10% lower than the Illinois average.
| Statistic | Charleston | Illinois | National |
| Average one way commute | 15min | 29min | 26min |
| Workers who drive to work | 68.3% | 73.4% | 76.4% |
| Workers who carpool | 9.2% | 8.3% | 9.3% |
| Workers who take public transit | 0.7% | 9.2% | 5.1% |
| Workers who bicycle | 1.1% | 0.6% | 0.6% |
| Workers who walk | 11.8% | 3.1% | 2.8% |
| Working from home | 8.6% | 4.4% | 4.6% |
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