1-Bedroom Apartment Rent in Chicago, IL
Median asking rent for a 1-bedroom apartment in Chicago, Illinois as of August 2026. That's +29% lower than the citywide median of $2,395 and +22% above the national 1-bedroom median of $1,395.
Income needed for a 1-bedroom in Chicago
Using the standard 30% rent-to-income guideline (the threshold above which households are considered rent-burdened), here's what you need to earn to comfortably afford a 1-bedroom at the current median rent.
Rent by apartment size in Chicago
Compare Chicago's median rent across every apartment size.
Cheapest cities for a 1-bedroom in Illinois
| # | City | 1-Bedroom rent |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Carbondale | $530 |
| 2 | Round Lake Beach | $650 |
| 3 | Charleston | $720 |
| 4 | Pekin | $720 |
| 5 | Quincy | $730 |
| 6 | Macomb | $740 |
| 7 | Danville | $770 |
| 8 | Dixon | $770 |
| 9 | Peoria Heights | $770 |
| 10 | Marion | $780 |
| 11 | Normal | $790 |
| 12 | Decatur | $800 |
| 13 | Rock Island | $800 |
| 14 | Peoria | $813 |
| 15 | Moline | $820 |
Most expensive cities for a 1-bedroom in Illinois
| # | City | 1-Bedroom rent |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Morton Grove | $2,340 |
| 2 | Deerfield | $2,340 |
| 3 | Barrington | $2,340 |
| 4 | Wilmette | $2,240 |
| 5 | Buffalo Grove | $2,240 |
| 6 | Highland Park | $2,210 |
| 7 | Plainfield | $2,155 |
| 8 | Naperville | $2,113 |
| 9 | Vernon Hills | $2,110 |
| 10 | Streamwood | $2,110 |
| 11 | Northbrook | $2,100 |
| 12 | Bartlett | $2,070 |
| 13 | Bolingbrook | $2,060 |
| 14 | Romeoville | $2,050 |
| 15 | Elmhurst | $2,050 |
Nearby cities — 1-bedroom rent
Considering nearby alternatives? 5 of these cities have cheaper 1-bedroom rents than Chicago.
| City | Distance | 1-Bedroom rent | vs Chicago |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cicero, IL | 6.5 mi | $1,290 | $-415 (-24%) |
| Oak Park, IL | 8.3 mi | $1,797 | +$92 (+5%) |
| Berwyn, IL | 8.6 mi | $1,420 | $-285 (-17%) |
| Elmwood Park, IL | 9.8 mi | $1,480 | $-225 (-13%) |
| Forest Park, IL | 10 mi | $1,460 | $-245 (-14%) |
| Evergreen Park, IL | 10.7 mi | $1,430 | $-275 (-16%) |
| Evanston, IL | 11.7 mi | $1,985 | +$280 (+16%) |
| Skokie, IL | 12.1 mi | $1,640 | $-65 (-4%) |
| Oak Lawn, IL | 12.4 mi | $1,440 | $-265 (-16%) |
| Brookfield, IL | 12.5 mi | $1,360 | $-345 (-20%) |
| Broadview, IL | 12.7 mi | $1,240 | $-465 (-27%) |
| Chicago Ridge, IL | 13.9 mi | $1,290 | $-415 (-24%) |
1-Bedroom rent in Chicago — common questions
How much is a 1-bedroom apartment in Chicago?
As of August 2026, the median 1-bedroom apartment rent in Chicago, Illinois is $1,705 per month. This is +29% below the citywide median of $2,395.
What income do you need to afford a 1-bedroom in Chicago?
Using the standard 30% rent-to-income rule, you would need an annual income of about $68,200 ($5,683/month gross), which works out to roughly $32.79/hour at a full-time job.
Is Chicago expensive for a 1-bedroom compared to the rest of the US?
Chicago's 1-bedroom median of $1,705 is +22% above the national 1-bedroom median of $1,395. It ranks in the 70th percentile of US cities tracked.
How does Chicago rank for 1-bedroom rent in Illinois?
Among the 141 cities in Illinois with 1-bedroom data, Chicago ranks #93 from cheapest to most expensive.
Are there cheaper 1-bedroom options near Chicago?
Yes — nearby cities with cheaper 1-bedroom rents include Cicero ($1,290), Berwyn ($1,420), Elmwood Park ($1,480).