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City Report · IL

Carbondale

Pop. 22,158·141st most expensive in Illinois·Carbondale rents are up 14.5% over the past year
Median rent (all units)
$749/mo
Year-over-Year
+14.5%
Month-over-Month
-4.8%
vs US Median
-$1,216
Falling (Monthly)
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Most AffordableMost Expensive
Carbondale · $749
More affordable than 100% of US cities · National median $1,965/mo
Affordability
28% of income
AFFORDABLE
0%30% benchmark60%+

At $749/mo, rent takes about 28% of the local median household income, comfortably within the 30% benchmark.

Income to afford
$30,000/yr
Local median income
$32,128/yr
Based on the 30%-of-income rule using Carbondale's median rent and household income. See the full affordability breakdown →
Medians by bedroom

Rent by unit size

Studio
$700
1 BR
$800
2 BR
$1,010
3 BR
$1,320
4 BR+
$1,410
Research median
$1,010/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
$8,988/yr
At $749/mo median
Rent Market Meter
Landlord's Market
Renter's MarketBalancedLandlord's Market
Rents are climbing (14.5% YoY), so leverage tilts toward landlords. Act sooner rather than later.
Based on rent-price momentum (+14.5% YoY, -4.8% MoM), not inventory.
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Demographics

Who lives here

Carbondale, IL is majority renter-occupied, skews toward younger working-age adults, has a median income below the national average, 48.2% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

Population
22,158
Median income
$32,128
Median age
24.6
Renters
73.6%
Age distribution
13.4%
54.6%
14.3%
Under 1813.4%
18–3454.6%
35–5414.3%
55–647.8%
65+9.9%
Gender
50.8%
49.2%
Male50.8%
Female49.2%
Race & ethnicity
56.9%
26.4%
White56.9%
Black26.4%
Hispanic7.1%
Asian7.3%
Other2.3%
Education (25+)
17.9%
29.2%
48.2%
No HS diploma4.7%
HS diploma17.9%
Some college29.2%
Bachelor's+48.2%
Housing tenure
26.4%
73.6%
Owner26.4%
Renter73.6%

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

2023 vs 2026

How Carbondale, IL has changed in 5 years

Rent
$643 → $749
up 16.5%
Income
$24,452 → $32,128
up 31.4%
Population
22,388 → 22,158
down 1.0%
Renter share
73.4% → 73.6%
+0.2 pts
Bachelor's+
45.4% → 48.2%
+2.8 pts

Compared with 2023, rent in Carbondale, IL has climbed by $106 per month, settling near $749 after starting the period at $643. Local incomes tracked alongside that move, going from a median of $24,452 in 2021 to $32,128 more recently. Income growth outran rent by about 14.9 percentage points, easing the affordability math somewhat compared with 2021. Headcount in the area went from 22,388 to 22,158 between 2021 and 2024, a 1.0% change. Educational attainment has shifted as well, with the share of adults holding a bachelor's degree or higher climbed from 45.4% to 48.2%. These shifts give renters and would-be renters a longer baseline for sizing up today's listings against the Carbondale, IL market of 2023.

Community

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View Carbondale rent history (2015–2026) →
Salary vs rent

Can you afford rent in Carbondale on your salary?

At $749/mo, how Carbondale rent compares to typical pay (30% rule).

By apartment size

Carbondale rent by bedroom count

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

Local insights

Tips for renters in Carbondale

About renting in Carbondale, IL

Last updated: July 20, 2026

The median rent in Carbondale is $749/mo as of July 2026. A studio apartment averages $700/mo while a 2-bedroom runs $1,010/mo. One-bedroom apartments average $800/mo and 3-bedroom units go for $1,320/mo.

At 28% of local median household income ($32,128/yr), Carbondale ranks as affordable compared to the national benchmark of 30%. Rents have increased 14.5% over the past year.

FAQ

Frequently asked questions

Is Carbondale an affordable city for renters?

Carbondale is considered affordable for renters. At $749/mo, rent takes approximately 28% of the local median household income ($32,128/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%. Carbondale falls comfortably within that range.

How much income do you need to rent in Carbondale?

To keep rent at or below 30% of gross income, you would need to earn at least $30,000/year (~$14/hour full-time) to afford the median rent of $749/mo in Carbondale. The local median household income is $32,128/yr, meaning the typical Carbondale household meets that threshold.

Is rent going up or down in Carbondale?

Rent in Carbondale has increased 14.5% over the past year as of July 2026, putting upward pressure on renter budgets.

How does Carbondale rent compare to other cities in Illinois?

Carbondale is one of the more affordable cities in Illinois for rent, ranking #141 out of 142 tracked cities at $749/mo.

What percentage of Carbondale residents rent vs. own?

According to Census data, approximately 73.6% of Carbondale households are renters, while 26.4% are owner-occupied. With a majority renter population, Carbondale has a strong rental market.

How does Carbondale rent compare to the national average?

Carbondale's median rent of $749/mo is $1,216 (62%) below the US national median of $1,965/mo. Within Illinois, it ranks #141 out of 142 tracked cities.
Income Affordability
28%
AFFORDABLE

At $749/mo, rent takes ~28% of Carbondale's median household income ($32,128/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%.

Carbondale 28%Benchmark 30%
State income tax4.95%
Run the Carbondale affordability calculator →
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Neighborhoods

Estimated from ZIP-level data

Schools nearby

Public schools near Carbondale, IL

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