How much does it cost to rent in Chicago, IL?

As of July 2026, the median monthly rent in Chicago, IL is $2,409. This figure is based on aggregated data from public sources and community-submitted rents.

Is Chicago cheaper than other Illinois cities?

Chicago is one of the pricier cities in Illinois, ranking #28 out of 142 cities tracked at $2,409/mo.

When was Chicago rent data last updated?

Chicago rent data reflects July 2026 and was last refreshed on July 20, 2026. RentDataNow refreshes all data monthly using public and private datasets.

Brad Knight / Unsplash

City Report · IL

Chicago

Name: Average Rent Prices in Chicago, IL
Creator: RentDataNow
License: https://rentdatanow.com/terms-of-service

Pop. 2,711,226·28th most expensive in Illinois·Chicago rents are up 9.3% over the past year

Median rent (all units)

$2,409/mo

Year-over-Year

+9.3%

Month-over-Month

+0.1%

vs US Median

+$444

Stable (Monthly)

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Most AffordableMost Expensive

Chicago · $2,409

More expensive than 76% of US cities · National median $1,965/mo

Rent Reality Score

30/100

Overpriced

OverheatedFairGreat value

Rents are 10% above what Chicago's 10-year trend predicts — running hotter than its own history.

Actual rent

$2,409/mo

Expected by trend

$2,190/mo

The Rent Reality Score compares today's median rent to where Chicago's own long-run trajectory projects it should be. See the full rankings →

Medians by bedroom

Rent by unit size

Studio

$1,595

1 BR

$1,705

2 BR

$1,925

3 BR

$2,473

4 BR+

$2,904

Research median

$1,925/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

$28,908/yr

At $2,409/mo median

Rent Market Meter

Strong Landlord's Market

Renter's MarketBalancedLandlord's Market

Rents are up 9.3% year-over-year. Expect competition, and move quickly to lock in terms.

Based on rent-price momentum (+9.3% YoY, +0.1% MoM), not inventory.

Rent check

Is your rent fair?

Compare your rent to the local median.

Demographics

Who lives here

Chicago, IL is roughly split between renters and owners, 44.3% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

Population

2,711,226

Median income

$77,902

Median age

35.8

Renters

54%

Age distribution

19.4%

29.3%

26.4%

13.8%

Under 1819.4%

18–3429.3%

35–5426.4%

55–6411.1%

65+13.8%

Gender

48.6%

51.4%

Male48.6%

Female51.4%

Race & ethnicity

36%

27.9%

29.7%

White36%

Black27.9%

Hispanic29.7%

Asian7.3%

Education (25+)

12.8%

21.1%

21.8%

44.3%

No HS diploma12.8%

HS diploma21.1%

Some college21.8%

Bachelor's+44.3%

Housing tenure

46%

54%

Owner46%

Renter54%

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

2021 vs 2026

How Chicago, IL has changed in 5 years

Rent

$1,703 → $2,409

up 41.5%

Income

$65,781 → $77,902

up 18.4%

Population

2,742,119 → 2,711,226

down 1.1%

Renter share

54.4% → 54%

-0.4 pts

Bachelor's+

41.7% → 44.3%

+2.6 pts

Median age

35.1 → 35.8

+0.7 yrs

Across the past five years, the going rent in Chicago, IL has shifted from $1,703 to $2,409, up 41.5% since 2021. Median household income climbed from $65,781 to $77,902 between 2021 and 2024, a 18.4% shift. Because rent grew faster than wages over the same span, the affordability picture has tightened relative to 2021. Census counts show Chicago, IL losing about 30,893 residents over the five-year window, down 1.1% on net. Bachelor's-degree-or-higher attainment moved from 41.7% to 44.3% across the same window. Taken together, the five-year picture in Chicago, IL reflects how housing costs and the people paying them have evolved through a stretch that included a pandemic, a hot rental market, and a recent cooling phase.

Community

Discussions about Chicago

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View Chicago rent history (2015–2026) →

Salary vs rent

Can you afford rent in Chicago on your salary?

At $2,409/mo, how Chicago rent compares to typical pay (30% rule).

Registered Nurse

Avg $96,370/yr · Rent = 30% income

affordable

Elementary School Teacher

Avg $68,422/yr · Rent = 42.2% income

rent-burdened

Police Officer

Avg $78,815/yr · Rent = 36.7% income

stretched

Software Developer

Avg $140,872/yr · Rent = 20.5% income

affordable

Lawyer

Avg $179,999/yr · Rent = 16.1% income

very comfortable

Firefighter

Avg $64,066/yr · Rent = 45.1% income

rent-burdened

Truck Driver

Avg $57,844/yr · Rent = 50% income

rent-burdened

Electrician

Avg $71,298/yr · Rent = 40.5% income

rent-burdened

By apartment size

Chicago rent by bedroom count

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

Local insights

Tips for renters in Chicago

About renting in Chicago, IL

Last updated: July 20, 2026

The median rent in Chicago is $2,409/mo as of July 2026. A studio apartment averages $1,595/mo while a 2-bedroom runs $1,925/mo. One-bedroom apartments average $1,705/mo and 3-bedroom units go for $2,473/mo.

At 37% of local median household income ($77,902/yr), Chicago ranks as moderate compared to the national benchmark of 30%. Rents have increased 9.3% over the past year.

FAQ

Frequently asked questions

Is Chicago an affordable city for renters?

Chicago is considered moderate for renters. At $2,409/mo, rent takes approximately 37% of the local median household income ($77,902/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%. Chicago slightly exceeds that threshold, so budgeting carefully matters here.

How much income do you need to rent in Chicago?

To keep rent at or below 30% of gross income, you would need to earn at least $96,000/year (~$46/hour full-time) to afford the median rent of $2,409/mo in Chicago. The local median household income is $77,902/yr, meaning the typical Chicago household falls short of that threshold.

Is rent going up or down in Chicago?

Rent in Chicago has increased 9.3% over the past year as of July 2026, putting upward pressure on renter budgets.

Which Chicago neighborhoods have the lowest rent?

The most affordable ZIP codes in Chicago are 60636 ($1,403/mo), 60649 ($1,425/mo), and 60629 ($1,427/mo). Citywide, the median rent in Chicago is $2,409/mo.

How does Chicago rent compare to other cities in Illinois?

Chicago is one of the pricier cities in Illinois for rent, ranking #28 out of 142 tracked cities at $2,409/mo.

Which nearby cities are cheaper to rent in than Chicago?

Several nearby cities have lower median rents than Chicago ($2,409/mo): Cicero ($1,229/mo), Berwyn ($1,472/mo), Forest Park ($1,620/mo).

What percentage of Chicago residents rent vs. own?

According to Census data, approximately 54% of Chicago households are renters, while 46% are owner-occupied. With a majority renter population, Chicago has a strong rental market.

How does Chicago rent compare to the national average?

Chicago's median rent of $2,409/mo is $444 (23%) above the US national median of $1,965/mo. Within Illinois, it ranks #28 out of 142 tracked cities.

Income Affordability

37%

MODERATE

At $2,409/mo, rent takes ~37% of Chicago's median household income ($77,902/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%.

Chicago 37%Benchmark 30%

State income tax4.95%

Run the Chicago affordability calculator →

Nearby cities