Charleston, SC vs Elmhurst, IL
Side-by-side comparison of housing, income, commute, safety, and quality of life.
Score Snapshot
No universal winner
Scores summarize the published model. Use the objective metric differences below and your own priorities to choose.
Charleston
66
#1592 nationally
Elmhurst
73.4
#734 nationally
Elmhurst leads in median household income ($143,492 vs $76,819). Elmhurst leads in walk score (48 vs 39). Charleston leads in cost of living index (115 vs 135).
Metric-by-Metric Breakdown
| Metric | Charleston, SC | Elmhurst, IL |
|---|---|---|
| WhereAtHome Score | 66 (#1592) | 73.4 (#734) |
| Population | 156,042 | 45,336 |
| Typical Home Value (ZHVI) | $596,437 | $647,169 |
| Median Household Income | $76,819 | $143,492 |
| Average Commute | 24.6 min | 27.8 min |
| Walk Score | 39 | 48 |
| Crime Level | Moderate | 1.6 |
| School Rating | 6.8 | N/A |
| Cost of Living Index | 115 | 135 |
| Political lean County 2024 presidential margin — context only, not scored | D+5.7 | D+13.3 |
D
66 Score
Charleston, SC
Southern charm meets coastal living
Median Home
$596,437
Population
156,042
Crime
Moderate
Schools
B
Southeast
View Charleston, SC →
C
73.4 Score
Elmhurst, IL
Small Illinois city with local appeal
Median Home
$647,169
Population
45,336
Crime
Low
Walk Score
48
Midwest
View Elmhurst, IL →
Try a different matchup
Swap Charleston for: