2-Bedroom Apartment Rent in Chicago, IL
Median asking rent for a 2-bedroom apartment in Chicago, Illinois as of July 2026. That's +20% lower than the citywide median of $2,409 and +16% above the national 2-bedroom median of $1,655.
Income needed for a 2-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 2-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 2-bedroom in Illinois
| # | City | 2-Bedroom rent |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Rantoul | $762 |
| 2 | Dixon | $870 |
| 3 | Pekin | $920 |
| 4 | Charleston | $930 |
| 5 | Quincy | $950 |
| 6 | Macomb | $960 |
| 7 | Rock Island | $990 |
| 8 | Decatur | $995 |
| 9 | Carbondale | $1,010 |
| 10 | Danville | $1,010 |
| 11 | Moline | $1,010 |
| 12 | Normal | $1,010 |
| 13 | Savoy | $1,010 |
| 14 | Pontoon Beach | $1,014 |
| 15 | Marion | $1,020 |
Most expensive cities for a 2-bedroom in Illinois
| # | City | 2-Bedroom rent |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Morton Grove | $2,640 |
| 2 | Lake Forest | $2,640 |
| 3 | Deerfield | $2,640 |
| 4 | Barrington | $2,640 |
| 5 | Wilmette | $2,530 |
| 6 | Buffalo Grove | $2,530 |
| 7 | Highland Park | $2,490 |
| 8 | Plainfield | $2,455 |
| 9 | Naperville | $2,388 |
| 10 | Vernon Hills | $2,380 |
| 11 | Streamwood | $2,380 |
| 12 | Northbrook | $2,370 |
| 13 | Bartlett | $2,340 |
| 14 | Bolingbrook | $2,325 |
| 15 | Romeoville | $2,310 |
Nearby cities — 2-bedroom rent
Considering nearby alternatives? 5 of these cities have cheaper 2-bedroom rents than Chicago.
| City | Distance | 2-Bedroom rent | vs Chicago |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cicero, IL | 6.5 mi | $1,460 | $-465 (-24%) |
| Oak Park, IL | 8.3 mi | $2,030 | +$105 (+5%) |
| Berwyn, IL | 8.6 mi | $1,600 | $-325 (-17%) |
| Elmwood Park, IL | 9.8 mi | $1,670 | $-255 (-13%) |
| Forest Park, IL | 10 mi | $1,650 | $-275 (-14%) |
| Evergreen Park, IL | 10.7 mi | $1,620 | $-305 (-16%) |
| Evanston, IL | 11.7 mi | $2,240 | +$315 (+16%) |
| Skokie, IL | 12.1 mi | $1,855 | $-70 (-4%) |
| Oak Lawn, IL | 12.4 mi | $1,630 | $-295 (-15%) |
| Brookfield, IL | 12.5 mi | $1,530 | $-395 (-21%) |
| Broadview, IL | 12.7 mi | $1,400 | $-525 (-27%) |
| Chicago Ridge, IL | 13.9 mi | $1,460 | $-465 (-24%) |
2-Bedroom rent in Chicago — common questions
How much is a 2-bedroom apartment in Chicago?
As of July 2026, the median 2-bedroom apartment rent in Chicago, Illinois is $1,925 per month. This is +20% below the citywide median of $2,409.
What income do you need to afford a 2-bedroom in Chicago?
Using the standard 30% rent-to-income rule, you would need an annual income of about $77,000 ($6,417/month gross), which works out to roughly $37.02/hour at a full-time job.
Is Chicago expensive for a 2-bedroom compared to the rest of the US?
Chicago's 2-bedroom median of $1,925 is +16% above the national 2-bedroom median of $1,655. It ranks in the 65th percentile of US cities tracked.
How does Chicago rank for 2-bedroom rent in Illinois?
Among the 142 cities in Illinois with 2-bedroom data, Chicago ranks #92 from cheapest to most expensive.
Are there cheaper 2-bedroom options near Chicago?
Yes — nearby cities with cheaper 2-bedroom rents include Cicero ($1,460), Berwyn ($1,600), Elmwood Park ($1,670).