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City Report · IL

Chatham

Pop. 14,639·85th most expensive in Illinois·Rental market data updated monthly for Chatham, IL
Median rent (all units)
$1,713/mo
Year-over-Year
Stable
Month-over-Month
+2.9%
vs US Median
-$252
Rising (Monthly)
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Most AffordableMost Expensive
Chatham · $1,713
More affordable than 60% of US cities · National median $1,965/mo
Affordability
19% of income
VERY AFFORDABLE
0%30% benchmark60%+

At $1,713/mo, rent takes about 19% of the local median household income, comfortably within the 30% benchmark.

Income to afford
$69,000/yr
Local median income
$106,773/yr
Based on the 30%-of-income rule using Chatham's median rent and household income. See the full affordability breakdown →
Medians by bedroom

Rent by unit size

Studio
$950
1 BR
$1,120
2 BR
$1,380
3 BR
$1,860
4 BR+
$1,910
Research median
$1,380/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
$20,556/yr
At $1,713/mo median
Rent Market Meter
Landlord's Market
Renter's MarketBalancedLandlord's Market
Rents are climbing (0.0% YoY), so leverage tilts toward landlords. Act sooner rather than later.
Based on rent-price momentum (+0.0% YoY, +2.9% MoM), not inventory.
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Demographics

Who lives here

Chatham, IL is majority owner-occupied, has a large share of families with children, has a median income above the national average, 53.2% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

Population
14,639
Median income
$106,773
Median age
35.4
Renters
19.4%
Age distribution
31.5%
17.9%
28.8%
Under 1831.5%
18–3417.9%
35–5428.8%
55–649.9%
65+11.9%
Gender
44.3%
55.7%
Male44.3%
Female55.7%
Race & ethnicity
88.7%
White88.7%
Black2.7%
Hispanic3.9%
Asian3.1%
Other1.6%
Education (25+)
13.8%
31.8%
53.2%
No HS diploma1.2%
HS diploma13.8%
Some college31.8%
Bachelor's+53.2%
Housing tenure
80.6%
19.4%
Owner80.6%
Renter19.4%

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

2021 vs 2026

How Chatham, IL has changed in 5 years

Income
$95,310 → $106,773
up 12.0%
Population
14,245 → 14,639
up 2.8%
Renter share
21.2% → 19.4%
-1.8 pts
Bachelor's+
46.9% → 53.2%
+6.3 pts

Census figures show median household income at $106,773 today, compared with $95,310 five years earlier. Headcount in the area went from 14,245 to 14,639 between 2021 and 2024, a 2.8% change. About 19.4% of households rent today, against 21.2% in 2021. Educational attainment has shifted as well, with the share of adults holding a bachelor's degree or higher climbed from 46.9% to 53.2%.

Community

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

Can you afford rent in Chatham on your salary?

At $1,713/mo, how Chatham rent compares to typical pay (30% rule).

By apartment size

Chatham rent by bedroom count

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

Local insights

Tips for renters in Chatham

About renting in Chatham, IL

Last updated: July 20, 2026

The median rent in Chatham is $1,713/mo as of July 2026. A studio apartment averages $950/mo while a 2-bedroom runs $1,380/mo. One-bedroom apartments average $1,120/mo and 3-bedroom units go for $1,860/mo.

At 19% of local median household income ($106,773/yr), Chatham ranks as affordable compared to the national benchmark of 30%. Rent prices have stayed steady over the past year.

FAQ

Frequently asked questions

Is Chatham an affordable city for renters?

Chatham is considered very affordable for renters. At $1,713/mo, rent takes approximately 19% of the local median household income ($106,773/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%. Chatham falls comfortably within that range.

How much income do you need to rent in Chatham?

To keep rent at or below 30% of gross income, you would need to earn at least $69,000/year (~$33/hour full-time) to afford the median rent of $1,713/mo in Chatham. The local median household income is $106,773/yr, meaning the typical Chatham household meets that threshold.

Is rent going up or down in Chatham?

Rent in Chatham has been relatively stable over the past year, with a 0.0% change year over year as of July 2026.

How does Chatham rent compare to other cities in Illinois?

Chatham is middle-of-the-pack for Illinois for rent, ranking #85 out of 142 tracked cities at $1,713/mo.

Which nearby cities are cheaper to rent in than Chatham?

Several nearby cities have lower median rents than Chatham ($1,713/mo): Decatur ($1,019/mo), Springfield ($1,176/mo).

What percentage of Chatham residents rent vs. own?

According to Census data, approximately 19.4% of Chatham households are renters, while 80.6% are owner-occupied. Chatham leans toward homeownership, which can mean a smaller rental inventory.

How does Chatham rent compare to the national average?

Chatham's median rent of $1,713/mo is $252 (13%) below the US national median of $1,965/mo. Within Illinois, it ranks #85 out of 142 tracked cities.
Income Affordability
19%
VERY AFFORDABLE

At $1,713/mo, rent takes ~19% of Chatham's median household income ($106,773/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%.

Chatham 19%Benchmark 30%
State income tax4.95%
Run the Chatham affordability calculator →
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Neighborhoods

Estimated from ZIP-level data

Schools nearby

Public schools near Chatham, IL

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