3-Bedroom Apartment Rent in Carol Stream, IL
Median asking rent for a 3-bedroom apartment in Carol Stream, Illinois as of October 2026. That's +31% higher than the citywide median of $1,844 and +13% above the national 3-bedroom median of $2,130.
Income needed for a 3-bedroom in Carol Stream
Using the standard 30% rent-to-income guideline (the threshold above which households are considered rent-burdened), here's what you need to earn to comfortably afford a 3-bedroom at the current median rent.
Rent by apartment size in Carol Stream
Compare Carol Stream's median rent across every apartment size.
Cheapest cities for a 3-bedroom in Illinois
| # | City | 3-Bedroom rent |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Carbondale | $842 |
| 2 | Pekin | $1,190 |
| 3 | Dixon | $1,210 |
| 4 | East Peoria | $1,220 |
| 5 | Charleston | $1,230 |
| 6 | Danville | $1,230 |
| 7 | Quincy | $1,230 |
| 8 | Swansea | $1,243 |
| 9 | Peoria Heights | $1,270 |
| 10 | Rantoul | $1,270 |
| 11 | Rock Island | $1,290 |
| 12 | Decatur | $1,310 |
| 13 | Savoy | $1,310 |
| 14 | Moline | $1,320 |
| 15 | Peoria | $1,340 |
Most expensive cities for a 3-bedroom in Illinois
| # | City | 3-Bedroom rent |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Morton Grove | $3,390 |
| 2 | Lake Forest | $3,390 |
| 3 | Deerfield | $3,390 |
| 4 | Wilmette | $3,250 |
| 5 | Buffalo Grove | $3,250 |
| 6 | Highland Park | $3,200 |
| 7 | Plainfield | $3,165 |
| 8 | Naperville | $3,068 |
| 9 | Vernon Hills | $3,060 |
| 10 | Streamwood | $3,060 |
| 11 | Northbrook | $3,040 |
| 12 | Bolingbrook | $2,985 |
| 13 | Romeoville | $2,970 |
| 14 | Elmhurst | $2,970 |
| 15 | Geneva | $2,950 |
Nearby cities — 3-bedroom rent
Considering nearby alternatives? 2 of these cities have cheaper 3-bedroom rents than Carol Stream.
| City | Distance | 3-Bedroom rent | vs Carol Stream |
|---|---|---|---|
| Glendale Heights, IL | 3.5 mi | $2,580 | +$170 (+7%) |
| Bloomingdale, IL | 3.5 mi | $2,580 | +$170 (+7%) |
| Wheaton, IL | 4.2 mi | $2,755 | +$345 (+14%) |
| Roselle, IL | 5.2 mi | $2,630 | +$220 (+9%) |
| Glen Ellyn, IL | 5.8 mi | $2,080 | $-330 (-14%) |
| Warrenville, IL | 7.4 mi | $2,770 | +$360 (+15%) |
| Addison, IL | 7.8 mi | $2,030 | $-380 (-16%) |
| Streamwood, IL | 8 mi | $3,060 | +$650 (+27%) |
| Lombard, IL | 8 mi | $2,760 | +$350 (+15%) |
| Lisle, IL | 9.3 mi | $2,660 | +$250 (+10%) |
| Schaumburg, IL | 9.6 mi | $2,820 | +$410 (+17%) |
| Downers Grove, IL | 10.3 mi | $2,670 | +$260 (+11%) |
3-Bedroom rent in Carol Stream — common questions
How much is a 3-bedroom apartment in Carol Stream?
As of October 2026, the median 3-bedroom apartment rent in Carol Stream, Illinois is $2,410 per month. This is +31% higher than the citywide median of $1,844.
What income do you need to afford a 3-bedroom in Carol Stream?
Using the standard 30% rent-to-income rule, you would need an annual income of about $96,400 ($8,033/month gross), which works out to roughly $46.35/hour at a full-time job.
Is Carol Stream expensive for a 3-bedroom compared to the rest of the US?
Carol Stream's 3-bedroom median of $2,410 is +13% above the national 3-bedroom median of $2,130. It ranks in the 62th percentile of US cities tracked.
How does Carol Stream rank for 3-bedroom rent in Illinois?
Among the 137 cities in Illinois with 3-bedroom data, Carol Stream ranks #80 from cheapest to most expensive.
Are there cheaper 3-bedroom options near Carol Stream?
Yes — nearby cities with cheaper 3-bedroom rents include Glen Ellyn ($2,080), Addison ($2,030).