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City Report · IL

Carol Stream

Pop. 39,460·79th most expensive in Illinois·Carol Stream rents are up 5.0% over the past year
Median rent (all units)
$1,822/mo
Year-over-Year
+5.0%
Month-over-Month
+0.5%
vs US Median
-$143
Stable (Monthly)
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Most AffordableMost Expensive
Carol Stream · $1,822
More affordable than 52% of US cities · National median $1,965/mo
Rent Reality Score
63/100
Good value
OverheatedFairGreat value

Rents are 6% below what Carol Stream's 10-year trend predicts — a better deal than its own history suggests.

Actual rent
$1,822/mo
Expected by trend
$1,947/mo
The Rent Reality Score compares today's median rent to where Carol Stream's own long-run trajectory projects it should be. See the full rankings →
Medians by bedroom

Rent by unit size

Studio
$1,560
1 BR
$1,670
2 BR
$1,880
3 BR
$2,410
4 BR+
$2,840
Research median
$1,880/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
$21,864/yr
At $1,822/mo median
Rent Market Meter
Landlord's Market
Renter's MarketBalancedLandlord's Market
Rents are climbing (5.0% YoY), so leverage tilts toward landlords. Act sooner rather than later.
Based on rent-price momentum (+5.0% YoY, +0.5% MoM), not inventory.
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Demographics

Who lives here

Carol Stream, IL is majority owner-occupied, has a median income above the national average, 42.8% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

Population
39,460
Median income
$102,309
Median age
40.4
Renters
32.7%
Age distribution
20.6%
22%
25.5%
15%
16.9%
Under 1820.6%
18–3422%
35–5425.5%
55–6415%
65+16.9%
Gender
49.7%
50.3%
Male49.7%
Female50.3%
Race & ethnicity
51.7%
18.5%
19.4%
White51.7%
Black6.3%
Hispanic18.5%
Asian19.4%
Other4.1%
Education (25+)
20.8%
26.2%
42.8%
No HS diploma10.2%
HS diploma20.8%
Some college26.2%
Bachelor's+42.8%
Housing tenure
67.3%
32.7%
Owner67.3%
Renter32.7%

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

2022 vs 2026

How Carol Stream, IL has changed in 5 years

Rent
$1,448 → $1,822
up 25.8%
Income
$95,342 → $102,309
up 7.3%
Population
39,895 → 39,460
down 1.1%
Renter share
30.9% → 32.7%
+1.8 pts
Bachelor's+
41.7% → 42.8%
+1.1 pts
Median age
39.8 → 40.4
+0.6 yrs

Five years ago, renters in Carol Stream, IL paid around $1,448 a month. That figure now sits near $1,822, up 25.8% from the 2022 baseline. Census figures show median household income at $102,309 today, compared with $95,342 five years earlier. Because rent grew faster than wages over the same span, the affordability picture has tightened relative to 2021. Census counts show Carol Stream, IL losing about 435 residents over the five-year window, down 1.1% on net. The renter share has risen from 30.9% to 32.7%, with owner-occupied housing accounting for the remainder. The combined trend lines point to a market that has changed measurably from where it stood in early 2022.

Community

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View Carol Stream rent history (2015–2026) →
Salary vs rent

Can you afford rent in Carol Stream on your salary?

At $1,822/mo, how Carol Stream rent compares to typical pay (30% rule).

By apartment size

Carol Stream rent by bedroom count

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

Local insights

Tips for renters in Carol Stream

About renting in Carol Stream, IL

Last updated: July 20, 2026

The median rent in Carol Stream is $1,822/mo as of July 2026. A studio apartment averages $1,560/mo while a 2-bedroom runs $1,880/mo. One-bedroom apartments average $1,670/mo and 3-bedroom units go for $2,410/mo.

At 21% of local median household income ($102,309/yr), Carol Stream ranks as affordable compared to the national benchmark of 30%. Rents have increased 5.0% over the past year.

FAQ

Frequently asked questions

Is Carol Stream an affordable city for renters?

Carol Stream is considered very affordable for renters. At $1,822/mo, rent takes approximately 21% of the local median household income ($102,309/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%. Carol Stream falls comfortably within that range.

How much income do you need to rent in Carol Stream?

To keep rent at or below 30% of gross income, you would need to earn at least $73,000/year (~$35/hour full-time) to afford the median rent of $1,822/mo in Carol Stream. The local median household income is $102,309/yr, meaning the typical Carol Stream household meets that threshold.

Is rent going up or down in Carol Stream?

Rent in Carol Stream has increased 5.0% over the past year as of July 2026, putting upward pressure on renter budgets.

How does Carol Stream rent compare to other cities in Illinois?

Carol Stream is middle-of-the-pack for Illinois for rent, ranking #79 out of 142 tracked cities at $1,822/mo.

What percentage of Carol Stream residents rent vs. own?

According to Census data, approximately 32.7% of Carol Stream households are renters, while 67.3% are owner-occupied. Carol Stream leans toward homeownership, which can mean a smaller rental inventory.

How does Carol Stream rent compare to the national average?

Carol Stream's median rent of $1,822/mo is $143 (7%) below the US national median of $1,965/mo. Within Illinois, it ranks #79 out of 142 tracked cities.
Income Affordability
21%
VERY AFFORDABLE

At $1,822/mo, rent takes ~21% of Carol Stream's median household income ($102,309/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%.

Carol Stream 21%Benchmark 30%
State income tax4.95%
Run the Carol Stream affordability calculator →
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Neighborhoods

Estimated from ZIP-level data

Schools nearby

Public schools near Carol Stream, IL

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