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City Report · IL

Carpentersville

Pop. 37,346·28th most expensive in Illinois·Carpentersville rents are up 8.0% over the past year
Median rent (all units)
$2,357/mo
Year-over-Year
+8.0%
Month-over-Month
+3.1%
vs US Median
+$395
Rising (Monthly)
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Most AffordableMost Expensive
Carpentersville · $2,357
More expensive than 74% of US cities · National median $1,962/mo
Affordability
33% of income
MODERATE
0%30% benchmark60%+

At $2,357/mo, rent takes about 33% of the local median household income, slightly above the 30% benchmark.

Income to afford
$94,000/yr
Local median income
$86,917/yr
Based on the 30%-of-income rule using Carpentersville's median rent and household income. See the full affordability breakdown →
Medians by bedroom

Rent by unit size

Studio
$1,530
1 BR
$1,640
2 BR
$1,850
3 BR
$2,380
4 BR+
$2,790
Fair Market Rent (HUD)
$1,850/mo

These are HUD Fair Market Rents, the payment standard for a Housing Choice Voucher (Section 8). They often differ from the $2,357 market median above, and that is expected: FMR is the 40th percentile of standard-quality units and counts gross rent, so it includes essential utilities such as electricity, water, gas, sewer, and trash. The market median is asking rent, which usually excludes utilities. HUD sets FMR once a year; market rent here updates monthly.

Source: HUD Small Area Fair Market Rents. Read the methodology →

Rent trends

12-month history

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Last updated: August 17, 2026

Annual cost
$28,284/yr
At $2,357/mo median
Rent Market Meter
Strong Landlord's Market
Renter's MarketBalancedLandlord's Market
Rents are up 8.0% year-over-year. Expect competition, and move quickly to lock in terms.
Based on rent-price momentum (+8.0% YoY, +3.1% MoM), not inventory.
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Demographics

Who lives here

Carpentersville, IL is majority owner-occupied, has a large share of families with children, 24.3% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

Population
37,346
Median income
$86,917
Median age
33.8
Renters
28.5%
Age distribution
28.2%
24.6%
26.1%
Under 1828.2%
18–3424.6%
35–5426.1%
55–6411.5%
65+9.6%
Gender
50.3%
49.7%
Male50.3%
Female49.7%
Race & ethnicity
36.8%
57.4%
White36.8%
Black5.1%
Hispanic57.4%
Asian4.1%
Education (25+)
23%
28.7%
24%
24.3%
No HS diploma23%
HS diploma28.7%
Some college24%
Bachelor's+24.3%
Housing tenure
71.5%
28.5%
Owner71.5%
Renter28.5%

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

2021 vs 2026

How Carpentersville, IL has changed in 5 years

Income
$73,121 → $86,917
up 18.9%
Population
37,940 → 37,346
down 1.6%
Renter share
25.9% → 28.5%
+2.6 pts
Bachelor's+
21.9% → 24.3%
+2.4 pts
Median age
32.2 → 33.8
+1.6 yrs

Household income in the area moved from $73,121 to $86,917 across the same window, up 18.9% versus 2021. Census counts show Carpentersville, IL losing about 594 residents over the five-year window, down 1.6% on net. The renter share has risen from 25.9% to 28.5%, with owner-occupied housing accounting for the remainder. Bachelor's-degree-or-higher attainment moved from 21.9% to 24.3% across the same window.

Community

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

Can you afford rent in Carpentersville on your salary?

At $2,357/mo, how Carpentersville rent compares to typical pay (30% rule).

By apartment size

Carpentersville rent by bedroom count

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

Local insights

Tips for renters in Carpentersville

About renting in Carpentersville, IL

Last updated: August 17, 2026

The median rent in Carpentersville is $2,357/mo as of August 2026. A studio apartment averages $1,530/mo while a 2-bedroom runs $1,850/mo. One-bedroom apartments average $1,640/mo and 3-bedroom units go for $2,380/mo.

At 33% of local median household income ($86,917/yr), Carpentersville ranks as moderate compared to the national benchmark of 30%. Rents have increased 8.0% over the past year.

FAQ

Frequently asked questions

Is Carpentersville an affordable city for renters?

Carpentersville is considered moderate for renters. At $2,357/mo, rent takes approximately 33% of the local median household income ($86,917/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%. Carpentersville slightly exceeds that threshold, so budgeting carefully matters here.

How much income do you need to rent in Carpentersville?

To keep rent at or below 30% of gross income, you would need to earn at least $94,000/year (~$45/hour full-time) to afford the median rent of $2,357/mo in Carpentersville. The local median household income is $86,917/yr, meaning the typical Carpentersville household falls short of that threshold.

Is rent going up or down in Carpentersville?

Rent in Carpentersville has increased 8.0% over the past year as of August 2026, putting upward pressure on renter budgets.

How does Carpentersville rent compare to other cities in Illinois?

Carpentersville is one of the pricier cities in Illinois for rent, ranking #28 out of 142 tracked cities at $2,357/mo.

Which nearby cities are cheaper to rent in than Carpentersville?

Several nearby cities have lower median rents than Carpentersville ($2,357/mo): Elgin ($1,925/mo), Crystal Lake ($2,039/mo), Lake in the Hills ($2,183/mo).

What percentage of Carpentersville residents rent vs. own?

According to Census data, approximately 28.5% of Carpentersville households are renters, while 71.5% are owner-occupied. Carpentersville leans toward homeownership, which can mean a smaller rental inventory.

How does Carpentersville rent compare to the national average?

Carpentersville's median rent of $2,357/mo is $395 (20%) above the US national median of $1,962/mo. Within Illinois, it ranks #28 out of 142 tracked cities.
Income Affordability
33%
MODERATE

At $2,357/mo, rent takes ~33% of Carpentersville's median household income ($86,917/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%.

Carpentersville 33%Benchmark 30%
State income tax4.95%
Run the Carpentersville affordability calculator →
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Neighborhoods

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Schools nearby

Public schools near Carpentersville, IL

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