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City Report · IL

Chicago Heights

Pop. 26,736·99th most expensive in Illinois·Rental market data updated monthly for Chicago Heights, IL
Median rent (all units)
$1,498/mo
Year-over-Year
Stable
Month-over-Month
+4.7%
vs US Median
-$464
Rising (Monthly)
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Most AffordableMost Expensive
Chicago Heights · $1,498
More affordable than 76% of US cities · National median $1,962/mo
Affordability
33% of income
MODERATE
0%30% benchmark60%+

At $1,498/mo, rent takes about 33% of the local median household income, slightly above the 30% benchmark.

Income to afford
$60,000/yr
Local median income
$54,798/yr
Based on the 30%-of-income rule using Chicago Heights's median rent and household income. See the full affordability breakdown →
Medians by bedroom

Rent by unit size

Studio
$1,170
1 BR
$1,250
2 BR
$1,410
3 BR
$1,810
4 BR+
$2,130
Fair Market Rent (HUD)
$1,410/mo

These are HUD Fair Market Rents, the payment standard for a Housing Choice Voucher (Section 8). They often differ from the $1,498 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: June 22, 2026

Annual cost
$17,976/yr
At $1,498/mo median
Rent Market Meter
Strong Landlord's Market
Renter's MarketBalancedLandlord's Market
Rents are up 0.0% year-over-year. Expect competition, and move quickly to lock in terms.
Based on rent-price momentum (+0.0% YoY, +4.7% MoM), not inventory.
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Demographics

Who lives here

Chicago Heights, IL is majority owner-occupied, has a large share of families with children, has a median income below the national average, 20.9% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

Population
26,736
Median income
$54,798
Median age
35.2
Renters
36.6%
Age distribution
27.2%
22.5%
24.6%
14.3%
Under 1827.2%
18–3422.5%
35–5424.6%
55–6411.5%
65+14.3%
Gender
48.3%
51.7%
Male48.3%
Female51.7%
Race & ethnicity
25.5%
41.3%
35.5%
White25.5%
Black41.3%
Hispanic35.5%
Education (25+)
15.2%
31.9%
32.1%
20.9%
No HS diploma15.2%
HS diploma31.9%
Some college32.1%
Bachelor's+20.9%
Housing tenure
63.4%
36.6%
Owner63.4%
Renter36.6%

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

2021 vs 2026

How Chicago Heights, IL has changed in 5 years

Income
$54,870 → $54,798
down 0.1%
Population
27,840 → 26,736
down 4.0%
Renter share
36.4% → 36.6%
+0.2 pts
Bachelor's+
17.9% → 20.9%
+3.0 pts

Census figures show median household income at $54,798 today, compared with $54,870 five years earlier. Headcount in the area went from 27,840 to 26,736 between 2021 and 2024, a 4.0% change. Educational attainment has shifted as well, with the share of adults holding a bachelor's degree or higher climbed from 17.9% to 20.9%.

Community

Discussions about Chicago Heights

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View Chicago Heights rent history (2015–2026) →
Salary vs rent

Can you afford rent in Chicago Heights on your salary?

At $1,498/mo, how Chicago Heights rent compares to typical pay (30% rule).

By apartment size

Chicago Heights rent by bedroom count

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

Local insights

Tips for renters in Chicago Heights

About renting in Chicago Heights, IL

Last updated: June 22, 2026

The median rent in Chicago Heights is $1,498/mo as of June 2026. A studio apartment averages $1,170/mo while a 2-bedroom runs $1,410/mo. One-bedroom apartments average $1,250/mo and 3-bedroom units go for $1,810/mo.

At 33% of local median household income ($54,798/yr), Chicago Heights ranks as moderate compared to the national benchmark of 30%. Rent prices have stayed steady over the past year.

FAQ

Frequently asked questions

Is Chicago Heights an affordable city for renters?

Chicago Heights is considered moderate for renters. At $1,498/mo, rent takes approximately 33% of the local median household income ($54,798/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%. Chicago Heights slightly exceeds that threshold, so budgeting carefully matters here.

How much income do you need to rent in Chicago Heights?

To keep rent at or below 30% of gross income, you would need to earn at least $60,000/year (~$29/hour full-time) to afford the median rent of $1,498/mo in Chicago Heights. The local median household income is $54,798/yr, meaning the typical Chicago Heights household falls short of that threshold.

Is rent going up or down in Chicago Heights?

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

How does Chicago Heights rent compare to other cities in Illinois?

Chicago Heights is one of the more affordable cities in Illinois for rent, ranking #99 out of 140 tracked cities at $1,498/mo.

What percentage of Chicago Heights residents rent vs. own?

According to Census data, approximately 36.6% of Chicago Heights households are renters, while 63.4% are owner-occupied. Chicago Heights leans toward homeownership, which can mean a smaller rental inventory.

How does Chicago Heights rent compare to the national average?

Chicago Heights's median rent of $1,498/mo is $464 (24%) below the US national median of $1,962/mo. Within Illinois, it ranks #99 out of 140 tracked cities.
Income Affordability
33%
MODERATE

At $1,498/mo, rent takes ~33% of Chicago Heights's median household income ($54,798/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%.

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

Estimated from ZIP-level data

Schools nearby

Public schools near Chicago Heights, IL

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