In Charleston, a typical home is worth $137,400 and typical rent is $817 a month. Compared with all of Coles County, typical household income is 13% lower, the typical home value is 8% higher, and the share of households that own their home is 12 points lower.
Typical home value from Zillow, September 2021 to September 2026: from $126,049 to $165,733.
Typical rent
$762a month
Typical rent from Zillow, March 2026 to September 2026: from $761 to $762.
From Zillow (ZHVI/ZORI), September 2026. The Census figures above are 5-year averages (2020–2024).
Charleston is in Coles County. The FHA loan limit ($541,287 for a one-unit home), the fair market rents and the help on this page are those of all of Coles County. See the county
What this place has that others do not, from public data, most unusual first.
1
Charleston has the 7th lowest homeownership rate of the 337 cities in Illinois with more than 5,000 people (48%).
2
Nearby, in Paris, the typical home value is $75,700: 45% less than in Charleston ($137,400).
3
Charleston has the 21st lowest typical household income of the 337 cities in Illinois with more than 5,000 people ($49,300).
Sources: U.S. Census Bureau (Average 2020–2024).
The homes here
Housing in Charleston
What homes there are in Charleston, what they cost, how that changed and how people live, from Census figures (2020–2024).
What homes there are
U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year, 2020–2024
Kind of home
Detached houseAttached houseBuilding of 2 to 4Apartments (5 or more)Mobile homeBoat, RV and otherUnreliable estimate
Charleston
Coles County
Illinois
United States
Kind of home: Charleston and its comparisons
Measure
Charleston
Coles County
Illinois
United States
Detached house
51%
68%
58%
61%
Attached house
4%
3%
6%
6%
Building of 2 to 4
13%
9%
12%
8%
Apartments (5 or more)
29%
16%
22%
19%
Mobile home
3%
4%
2%
6%
Boat, RV and other
Unreliable estimate
Unreliable estimate
0%
0%
In Charleston, 5 in 10 homes are single-family detached houses; in Coles County, 7.
Year built
Before 19601960–19791980–19992000–20092010 or later
Charleston
Coles County
Illinois
United States
Year built: Charleston and its comparisons
Measure
Charleston
Coles County
Illinois
United States
Before 1960
29%
40%
38%
26%
1960–1979
27%
25%
26%
24%
1980–1999
31%
22%
20%
25%
2000–2009
8%
8%
11%
14%
2010 or later
5%
5%
6%
11%
Here half of the homes date from 1977 or later; in Coles County, from 1971 or later.
In Charleston, 18% of homes have 1 bedroom or none (studios); 46% have 3 bedrooms or more, against 54% in Coles County.
What it costs here
U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year, 2020–2024
Value of owner-occupied homes
Unreliable estimate
Under $100K35%
$100K–$200K44%
$200K–$300K14%
$300K–$500KUnreliable
$500K–$750KUnreliable
$750K–$1MUnreliable
$1M or moreUnreliable
Value of owner-occupied homes: Charleston and its comparisons
Measure
Charleston
Under $100K
35%
$100K–$200K
44%
$200K–$300K
14%
$300K–$500K
Unreliable estimate
$500K–$750K
Unreliable estimate
$750K–$1M
Unreliable
$1M or more
Unreliable estimate
Monthly rent with utilities
Under the limitOver the limitUnreliable estimate
Under $50010%
$500–$99964%
HUD fair market rent, 2 bedrooms: $950
$1,000–$1,49920%
$1,500–$1,999Unreliable
$2,000–$2,499Unreliable
$2,500–$2,999Unreliable
$3,000 or moreUnreliable
Monthly rent with utilities: Charleston and its comparisons
Measure
Charleston
Under $500
10%
$500–$999
64%
$1,000–$1,499
20%
$1,500–$1,999
Unreliable estimate
$2,000–$2,499
Unreliable
$2,500–$2,999
Unreliable estimate
$3,000 or more
Unreliable
HUD's 2-bedroom fair market rent (FMR) for Coles County is $950; about 68% of rents in Charleston are below it.
With a mortgage
$1,242 a month
Coles County: $1,220 a month
Without a mortgage
$558 a month
Coles County: $546 a month
Owners with a mortgage
45%
Coles County: 49%
Owning costs about the same in Charleston as in Coles County: with a mortgage, $1,242 a month; without one, $558.
How it changed
U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year, 2015–2019 and 2020–2024
Change since 2015–2019
Typical home value
Charleston+31%
Coles County+27%
Illinois+35%
United States+53%
Typical rent
Charleston+13%
Coles County+12%
Illinois+26%
United States+33%
Typical household income
Charleston+21%
Coles County+22%
Illinois+27%
United States+29%
Change since 2015–2019: Charleston and its comparisons
Measure
Charleston
Coles County
Illinois
United States
Typical home value
+31%
+27%
+35%
+53%
Typical rent
+13%
+12%
+26%
+33%
Typical household income
+21%
+22%
+27%
+29%
Since 2015–2019, homes in Charleston gained value faster than in Coles County: 31% against 27%.
Rents in Charleston rose at about the same pace as in Coles County: 13% since 2015–2019, against 12%.
While home values in Charleston changed +31% and rent +13%, the typical household income rose 21%.
How people live
U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year, 2020–2024
How people live: Charleston and its comparisons
Measure
Charleston
Coles County
Illinois
United States
Rental vacancy
Unreliable estimate
Unreliable estimate
5.0%
5.5%
Homeowner vacancy
Unreliable estimate
Unreliable estimate
1.0%
0.9%
More than one person per room
Unreliable estimate
3.2%
2.5%
3.4%
People per household
1.85
2.06
2.46
2.53
Drive alone
70%
76%
66%
69%
Carpool
8%
9%
8%
9%
Public transit
Unreliable estimate
Unreliable estimate
6%
3%
Walk or bike
11%
6%
3%
3%
Work from home
9%
7%
16%
15%
Other means
Unreliable estimate
1%
1%
2%
Typical commute
Unreliable estimate
10 to 19 minutes
20 to 29 minutes
20 to 29 minutes
On average, a household in Charleston has 1.85 people, fewer than in Coles County (2.06).
Many here get to work on foot or by bike: 11%, more than in Coles County (6%).
Do the math
What would you pay each month for a home in Charleston?
A typical home is tight for the typical income
We start with a typical home in Charleston, worth $137,400, an FHA loan with 3.5% down and the latest average rate (7.18%). That payment would take 31% of the typical household income in Charleston, which is $49,300 a year. For that payment to be 28% of income, a household would need to earn about $54,286 a year.
The calculator's FHA and conventional loan limits are those of all of Coles County.
Change the price, the down payment or the loan: the payment updates right away.
Your numbers
Local data
$
Starts at the typical home value in Charleston. Change it to the price you have in mind.
Your score changes which loans apply and FHA's minimum down payment. Your real rate also depends on your credit.
Down payment
%
That is $4,809 (3.5% of the price). The usual minimum for this loan is 3.5%.
This week's average ± a quarter or half point.
National average as of November 5, 2026 (Freddie Mac); your rate may be different.
Adjust advanced details⌄
Estimated monthly payment
Local data
$1,267
at 7.18% · 30 years
Loan amount
$134,911
Total interest
$194,106
Paid off in
November 2056
Includes $2,320 FHA upfront mortgage insurance premium.
Does it fit the income?
Comfortable
up to $1,150 a month
Tight
$1,150 to $1,479 a month
Your payment · 31%
Hard
more than $1,479 a month
Compared with the typical household income in Charleston ($49,300 a year). Reference: HUD calls paying more than 30% of income for housing a cost burden.
Monthly payment breakdown
Principal & interest
$914
Property tax
$235
Home insurance
$57
FHA mortgage insurance (MIP)
$61
You need at least $4,809 for the down payment, plus closing costs.
This is an estimate to give you an idea, not a loan offer. Your real payment depends on your rate, your credit, and the insurance and taxes on the home you buy.
Total monthly payment $1,267; principal and interest $914.
The city and its county
Charleston and Coles County
Charleston is in Coles County, Illinois. The U.S. Census Bureau publishes its own numbers for the city: home values, rent, household income, how many households own their home and the property tax. They are American Community Survey estimates (average 2020–2024).
Charleston
Map of Coles County, Illinois, with Charleston marked. Around it, the neighboring counties.
Charleston
Coles County
Other cities with a page
Charleston's own numbers
Typical home value
$137,400
Typical monthly rent
$817
Typical yearly household income
$49,300
Households that own their home
48%
Effective property tax rate
2.05%
U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey (average 2020–2024).
Numbers for all of Coles County
FHA limit, one-unit home
$541,287
Conventional limit, one unit
$832,750
HUD fair market rent, 2 bedrooms
$950
Price change over 5 years (FHFA)
+47%
Homes in a high flood-risk zone
1.6%
HUD, FHFA and FEMA don't publish these numbers by city.
Other numbers are not published by city, only for the whole county: FHA and conventional loan limits, HUD’s fair market rents, FHFA’s price index and FEMA’s flood data. On this page, those numbers always say they are for all of Coles County.
A typical home in Charleston is worth $137,400: 8% above the county and 48% below Illinois. With the typical household income in Charleston ($49,300 a year), a typical home costs 2.8 times what the household earns in a year.
Years of income to pay for a typical home
The typical home value divided by the typical household income for one year. The lower it is, the less buying weighs.
Charleston2.8 years
Coles2.3 years
Illinois3.2 years
United States4.1 years
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, Average 2020–2024
How prices have changed in Coles County
According to FHFA’s house price index, home prices in Coles County rose 52% in the 10 years through 2025.
FHFA does not publish this index by city: these are the numbers for all of Coles County.
Yearly change in FHFA’s price index in Coles County, 2016 to 2025
2016: +0.5% +0.5% 2016
2017: −0.8% −0.8% 2017
2018: +0.0% +0.0% 2018
2019: +2.9% +2.9% 2019
2020: +1.1% +1.1% 2020
2021: +8.3% +8.3% 2021
2022: +13.0% +13.0% 2022
2023: +5.3% +5.3% 2023
2024: +12.3% +12.3% 2024
2025: +1.6% +1.6% 2025
Change in FHFA’s price index in Coles County, Illinois and the United States
Period
County
Illinois
U.S.
Last year (2025)
+1.6%
+5.7%
+2.9%
5 years (2020–2025)
+47%
+47%
+47%
10 years (2015–2025)
+52%
+65%
+85%
The index follows the price of the same homes over time (sales and appraisals with Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac loans). It is not the average price of a home. FHFA considers its annual county indexes experimental. Source: FHFA, 2025 data
Charleston next to Coles County, Illinois and the U.S.
Three numbers side by side. “Typical” means the median: half are above it and half below.
Typical home value
Charleston$137,400
Coles$127,400
Illinois$263,300
United States$332,700
Typical monthly rent
Charleston$817
Coles$780
Illinois$1,274
United States$1,413
Typical yearly household income
Charleston$49,300
Coles$56,478
Illinois$83,390
United States$80,734
See the full table
Charleston next to Coles County and Illinois
Measure
Charleston
Coles County
Illinois
U.S.
Typical home value
$137,400 ▲8% above the county
$127,400
$263,300
$332,700
Typical monthly rent
$817 ▲5% above the county
$780
$1,274
$1,413
Typical yearly household income
$49,300 ▼13% below the county
$56,478
$83,390
$80,734
Households that own their home
48% ▼12 points below the county
60%
67%
65%
Typical yearly property tax
$2,818 ▲14% above the county
$2,474
$5,298
$3,119
Effective property tax rate
2.05% ▲0.11 points above the county
1.94%
2.01%
0.94%
Renters with high rent for their income
50% ▲7 points above the county
43%
48%
51%
“Typical” means the median: half are above and half are below. ▲ and ▼ say whether the city is above or below Coles County. “High rent” is the Census measure: renter households that pay 30% or more of their income in rent.
Four ways to pay for a typical home in Charleston
For a typical $137,400 home in Charleston, at Freddie Mac's average rate (7.18% as of November 5, 2026) over 30 years. The monthly payment adds principal and interest, Charleston's typical property tax, an example home insurance and mortgage insurance when it applies.
FHA, 3.5% down$1,267a month
Least cash to close
Down payment
$4,809
Cash to close
$8,931
Rate
7.18%
Mortgage insurance
FHA MIP · $61
Conventional, 5% down$1,241a month
Down payment
$6,870
Cash to close
$10,992
Rate
7.18%
Mortgage insurance
PMI · $65
Conventional, 20% down, no PMI$1,037a month
Down payment
$27,480
Cash to close
$31,602
Rate
7.18%
Mortgage insurance
None
ITIN, 15% down (example)$1,164a month
Down payment
$20,610
Cash to close
$24,732
Rate
8.18%
Mortgage insurance
None
Four ways to pay for a typical home in Charleston
Loan
Monthly payment
Down payment
Loan amount
Rate
Mortgage insurance
Cash to close
Minimum score
FHA, 3.5% down Least cash to close
$1,267
$4,809
$134,911
7.18%
FHA MIP · $61
$8,931
580
Conventional, 5% down
$1,241
$6,870
$130,530
7.18%
PMI · $65
$10,992
620*
Conventional, 20% down, no PMI
$1,037
$27,480
$109,920
7.18%
None
$31,602
620*
ITIN, 15% down (example)
$1,164
$20,610
$116,790
8.18%
None
$24,732
Set by the lender
The option that asks for the least cash to close is FHA, 3.5% down.
Cash to close = down payment plus 3% of the price in closing costs (example).
Minimum score: FHA requires 580 or higher for the minimum down payment (HUD Handbook 4000.1). * Fannie Mae requires 620 when a loan is underwritten by hand; its automated system has no fixed minimum.
The ITIN row is an example with a rate 1 percentage point higher: ITIN loans follow no federal rule and each lender sets its own down payment and rate. Nothing in this table promises an approval.
Typical rent in Charleston is $817 a month: 5% above the county. In Charleston, 50% of renter households pay 30% or more of their income in rent.
HUD publishes a fair market rent for all of Coles County, by unit size. To pay the 2-bedroom one ($950 a month) without spending more than 30% of your income, you would need to earn $18.27 an hour working full time.
What you need to earn to pay it without spending more than 30% of income, working full time.
HUD fair market rent in Coles County (Fiscal year 2027)
Size
Fair rent a month
Hourly wage
Yearly income
Studio
$662
$12.73
$26,480
1 bedroom
$742
$14.27
$29,680
2 bedrooms
$950
$18.27
$38,000
3 bedrooms
$1,231
$23.67
$49,240
4 bedrooms
$1,342
$25.81
$53,680
Includes basic utilities. It isn't the lowest or highest rent: it's a reference point. Source: HUD, Fiscal year 2027
By ZIP code
Fair market rent by ZIP code in Charleston
HUD also publishes a fair market rent for each ZIP code (Small Area FMR, fiscal year 2027). Charleston is in ZIP code 61920.
For 2 bedrooms it is $970: $20 more than the fair market rent for Coles County ($950).
Fair market rent by ZIP code and size in Charleston, fiscal year 2027.
ZIP code
Studio
1 bd
2 bd
3 bd
4 bd
61920
$680
$760
$970
$1,260
$1,390
ZIP code2 bd3 bd
61920 $970$1,260
1 of these ZIP codes crosses the city line: HUD sets the rent by ZIP code, not by city. A ZIP code counts for Charleston when at least 50% of its land is inside the city or it covers at least 15% of the city (Census 2020 boundaries). Source: Small Area Fair Market Rents (HUD)Fiscal year 2027Small Area Fair Market Rents (HUD) (external site)Source: Census Bureau ZCTA-to-place relationship fileData from 2020 dataCensus Bureau ZCTA-to-place relationship file (external site)
HUD lists 6 buildings with rents for lower incomes in Charleston. These are the largest.
Country View Estates2350 Madison Ave, Charleston 61920110 low-income homes · 1 bd: 20 · 2 bd: 70 · 3 bd: 20 · In service since 1998 · For older adults, people with disabilities, families
Cougill Apts500 W Polk Ave, Charleston 61920100 low-income homes · 1 bd: 100 · In service since 2002 · For older adults, people with disabilities, families(217) 348-0875
Colonial Gardens/Greenview Manor Apts1540 18th St, Charleston 6192092 low-income homes · For families(217) 348-1212
Village Apts of Charleston1526 Edgar Dr, Charleston 6192072 low-income homes · 1 bd: 24 · 2 bd: 32 · 3 bd: 16 · In service since 1999 · For families
Heritage Woods of Charleston480 W Polk Ave, Charleston 6192068 homes, 48 low-income · Studio: 28 · 1 bd: 40 · In service since 2011
You do not have to do this alone. A HUD-approved housing counseling agency helps for free or at low cost: getting ready to buy, understanding your credit, or solving a problem with your rent.
There are 2 HUD-approved agencies with an office in Coles County; none says it serves in Spanish.
No down payment, repair or rent-help program on our list is for Charleston or Coles County. The ones below are statewide in Illinois: they work in Charleston the same as in the rest of the state.
IHDA second loan with no payments until you sell or refinance, for the down payment in Illinois.Offered by Illinois Housing Development Authority (IHDA).
No legal help resource on our list is for Charleston or Coles County in particular.
If you have a problem with your landlord, an eviction notice or a scam, the Legal Services Corporation (LSC) search shows the free legal aid offices that serve your area.
Short answers with the numbers for Charleston and all of Coles County. If your case is different, a HUD-approved counseling agency can guide you for free or at low cost.
How much does a typical home cost in Charleston?
The typical home value in Charleston is $137,400, according to the U.S. Census Bureau (average 2020–2024). For comparison, in Coles County it is $127,400.
How much does it cost to rent in Charleston?
Typical rent in Charleston is $817 a month, according to the U.S. Census Bureau. HUD’s fair market rent for 2 bedrooms in Coles County is $950.
What is the FHA loan limit in Charleston?
Charleston uses the FHA limit for all of Coles County (2026): $541,287 for a one-unit home and $1,041,125 for a four-unit home.
How much property tax do owners pay in Charleston?
The typical homeowner in Charleston pays $2,818 a year, according to the U.S. Census Bureau. That is 2.05% of the home’s value; in Coles County, the rate is 1.94%.
Where can I find free help to buy or rent in Charleston?
There are 2 HUD-approved counseling agencies with an office in Coles County. They can help you get ready to buy, with your credit, or with rent.
