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City Report · IL

Blue Island

Pop. 21,741·115th most expensive in Illinois·One of the most affordable rental markets in the US
Median rent (all units)
$1,258/mo
Year-over-Year
Stable
Month-over-Month
+2.1%
vs US Median
-$707
Rising (Monthly)
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Most AffordableMost Expensive
Blue Island · $1,258
More affordable than 90% of US cities · National median $1,965/mo
Affordability
25% of income
AFFORDABLE
0%30% benchmark60%+

At $1,258/mo, rent takes about 25% of the local median household income, comfortably within the 30% benchmark.

Income to afford
$50,000/yr
Local median income
$59,489/yr
Based on the 30%-of-income rule using Blue Island's median rent and household income. See the full affordability breakdown →
Medians by bedroom

Rent by unit size

Studio
$1,110
1 BR
$1,190
2 BR
$1,340
3 BR
$1,720
4 BR+
$2,020
Research median
$1,340/mo

Bedroom estimates are gross rents that include essential utilities (electricity, water, gas, sewer, trash).

Rent trends

12-month history

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Last updated: July 20, 2026

Annual cost
$15,096/yr
At $1,258/mo median
Rent Market Meter
Landlord's Market
Renter's MarketBalancedLandlord's Market
Rents are climbing (0.0% YoY), so leverage tilts toward landlords. Act sooner rather than later.
Based on rent-price momentum (+0.0% YoY, +2.1% MoM), not inventory.
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Demographics

Who lives here

Blue Island, IL is roughly split between renters and owners, has a median income below the national average, 20.7% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

Population
21,741
Median income
$59,489
Median age
38.1
Renters
48.2%
Age distribution
20.3%
26.3%
23%
15.9%
14.5%
Under 1820.3%
18–3426.3%
35–5423%
55–6415.9%
65+14.5%
Gender
50.8%
49.2%
Male50.8%
Female49.2%
Race & ethnicity
24.6%
30.8%
47.5%
White24.6%
Black30.8%
Hispanic47.5%
Asian0.8%
Education (25+)
19.3%
31%
29.1%
20.7%
No HS diploma19.3%
HS diploma31%
Some college29.1%
Bachelor's+20.7%
Housing tenure
51.8%
48.2%
Owner51.8%
Renter48.2%

Source: U.S. Census Bureau · ACS 2024 5-Year Estimates

2021 vs 2026

How Blue Island, IL has changed in 5 years

Income
$51,989 → $59,489
up 14.4%
Population
22,934 → 21,741
down 5.2%
Renter share
49.7% → 48.2%
-1.5 pts
Bachelor's+
17.2% → 20.7%
+3.5 pts
Median age
37 → 38.1
+1.1 yrs

Local incomes tracked alongside that move, going from a median of $51,989 in 2021 to $59,489 more recently. Census counts show Blue Island, IL losing about 1,193 residents over the five-year window, down 5.2% on net. The renter share has eased from 49.7% to 48.2%, with owner-occupied housing accounting for the remainder. Bachelor's-degree-or-higher attainment moved from 17.2% to 20.7% across the same window.

Community

Discussions about Blue Island

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View Blue Island rent history (2015–2026) →
Salary vs rent

Can you afford rent in Blue Island on your salary?

At $1,258/mo, how Blue Island rent compares to typical pay (30% rule).

By apartment size

Blue Island rent by bedroom count

Median rent for each apartment size in Blue Island. Click any size for full breakdown.

Local insights

Tips for renters in Blue Island

About renting in Blue Island, IL

Last updated: July 20, 2026

The median rent in Blue Island is $1,258/mo as of July 2026. A studio apartment averages $1,110/mo while a 2-bedroom runs $1,340/mo. One-bedroom apartments average $1,190/mo and 3-bedroom units go for $1,720/mo.

At 25% of local median household income ($59,489/yr), Blue Island ranks as affordable compared to the national benchmark of 30%. Rent prices have stayed steady over the past year.

FAQ

Frequently asked questions

Is Blue Island an affordable city for renters?

Blue Island is considered affordable for renters. At $1,258/mo, rent takes approximately 25% of the local median household income ($59,489/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%. Blue Island falls comfortably within that range.

How much income do you need to rent in Blue Island?

To keep rent at or below 30% of gross income, you would need to earn at least $50,000/year (~$24/hour full-time) to afford the median rent of $1,258/mo in Blue Island. The local median household income is $59,489/yr, meaning the typical Blue Island household meets that threshold.

Is rent going up or down in Blue Island?

Rent in Blue Island has been relatively stable over the past year, with a 0.0% change year over year as of July 2026.

How does Blue Island rent compare to other cities in Illinois?

Blue Island is one of the more affordable cities in Illinois for rent, ranking #115 out of 142 tracked cities at $1,258/mo.

Which nearby cities are cheaper to rent in than Blue Island?

Riverdale is nearby and more affordable at $1,232/mo, which is $26 less than Blue Island.

What percentage of Blue Island residents rent vs. own?

According to Census data, approximately 48.2% of Blue Island households are renters, while 51.8% are owner-occupied. Blue Island leans toward homeownership, which can mean a smaller rental inventory.

How does Blue Island rent compare to the national average?

Blue Island's median rent of $1,258/mo is $707 (36%) below the US national median of $1,965/mo. Within Illinois, it ranks #115 out of 142 tracked cities.
Income Affordability
25%
AFFORDABLE

At $1,258/mo, rent takes ~25% of Blue Island's median household income ($59,489/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%.

Blue Island 25%Benchmark 30%
State income tax4.95%
Run the Blue Island affordability calculator →
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Neighborhoods

Estimated from ZIP-level data

Schools nearby

Public schools near Blue Island, IL

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