At $2,297/mo, rent takes about 32% of the local median household income, slightly above the 30% benchmark.
Rent by unit size
These are HUD Fair Market Rents, the payment standard for a Housing Choice Voucher (Section 8). They often differ from the $2,297 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 →
12-month history
Last updated: October 17, 2026
What the numbers show
Rent in Carpentersville changed +6.6% over the year to September 2026. Across the 94 Illinois cities Zillow tracks, the typical change was +4.0%.
Rent rose in 7 of the last 12 months.
30% of the median household income ($86,917) is $2,173 a month. That covers HUD's Fair Market Rent for up to a 2-bedroom ($1,850); a 3-bedroom is $2,380.
Elgin, 6 miles away, rents for 16% less ($1,923/mo), about $4,500 a year in savings.
From Zillow's monthly rent index (ZORI) for Carpentersville. Income is the Census median household income (5-year estimates). Fair Market Rents are HUD’s, which include utilities.
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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.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau · ACS 2024 5-Year Estimates
How Carpentersville, IL has changed in 5 years
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.
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Can you afford rent in Carpentersville on your salary?
At $2,297/mo, how Carpentersville rent compares to typical pay (30% rule).
Carpentersville rent by bedroom count
Median rent for each apartment size in Carpentersville. Click any size for full breakdown.
Tips for renters in Carpentersville
Last updated: October 17, 2026
The median rent in Carpentersville is $2,297/mo as of October 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 32% of local median household income ($86,917/yr), Carpentersville ranks as moderate compared to the national benchmark of 30%. Rents have increased 6.6% over the past year.
Frequently asked questions
How much income do you need to rent in Carpentersville?
Is rent going up or down in Carpentersville?
How does Carpentersville rent compare to other cities in Illinois?
Which nearby cities are cheaper to rent in than Carpentersville?
At $2,297/mo, rent takes ~32% of Carpentersville's median household income ($86,917/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%.
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Estimated from ZIP-level data
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