3-Bedroom Apartment Rent in Chicago, IL
Median asking rent for a 3-bedroom apartment in Chicago, Illinois as of July 2026. That's +3% higher than the citywide median of $2,409 and +16% above the national 3-bedroom median of $2,130.
Income needed for a 3-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 3-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 3-bedroom in Illinois
| # | City | 3-Bedroom rent |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Rantoul | $988 |
| 2 | Pekin | $1,190 |
| 3 | Dixon | $1,210 |
| 4 | Macomb | $1,220 |
| 5 | Charleston | $1,230 |
| 6 | Danville | $1,230 |
| 7 | Quincy | $1,230 |
| 8 | Swansea | $1,243 |
| 9 | Rock Island | $1,290 |
| 10 | Decatur | $1,310 |
| 11 | Savoy | $1,310 |
| 12 | Carbondale | $1,320 |
| 13 | Moline | $1,320 |
| 14 | Peoria | $1,340 |
| 15 | Urbana | $1,355 |
Most expensive cities for a 3-bedroom in Illinois
| # | City | 3-Bedroom rent |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Morton Grove | $3,390 |
| 2 | Lake Forest | $3,390 |
| 3 | Deerfield | $3,390 |
| 4 | Barrington | $3,390 |
| 5 | Wilmette | $3,250 |
| 6 | Buffalo Grove | $3,250 |
| 7 | Highland Park | $3,200 |
| 8 | Plainfield | $3,165 |
| 9 | Naperville | $3,068 |
| 10 | Vernon Hills | $3,060 |
| 11 | Streamwood | $3,060 |
| 12 | Northbrook | $3,040 |
| 13 | Bartlett | $3,010 |
| 14 | Bolingbrook | $2,985 |
| 15 | Romeoville | $2,970 |
Nearby cities — 3-bedroom rent
Considering nearby alternatives? 5 of these cities have cheaper 3-bedroom rents than Chicago.
| City | Distance | 3-Bedroom rent | vs Chicago |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cicero, IL | 6.5 mi | $1,880 | $-593 (-24%) |
| Oak Park, IL | 8.3 mi | $2,607 | +$134 (+5%) |
| Berwyn, IL | 8.6 mi | $2,060 | $-413 (-17%) |
| Elmwood Park, IL | 9.8 mi | $2,150 | $-323 (-13%) |
| Forest Park, IL | 10 mi | $2,120 | $-353 (-14%) |
| Evergreen Park, IL | 10.7 mi | $2,080 | $-393 (-16%) |
| Evanston, IL | 11.7 mi | $2,875 | +$402 (+16%) |
| Skokie, IL | 12.1 mi | $2,380 | $-93 (-4%) |
| Oak Lawn, IL | 12.4 mi | $2,090 | $-383 (-15%) |
| Brookfield, IL | 12.5 mi | $1,970 | $-503 (-20%) |
| Broadview, IL | 12.7 mi | $1,800 | $-673 (-27%) |
| Chicago Ridge, IL | 13.9 mi | $1,880 | $-593 (-24%) |
3-Bedroom rent in Chicago — common questions
How much is a 3-bedroom apartment in Chicago?
As of July 2026, the median 3-bedroom apartment rent in Chicago, Illinois is $2,473 per month. This is +3% higher than the citywide median of $2,409.
What income do you need to afford a 3-bedroom in Chicago?
Using the standard 30% rent-to-income rule, you would need an annual income of about $98,920 ($8,243/month gross), which works out to roughly $47.56/hour at a full-time job.
Is Chicago expensive for a 3-bedroom compared to the rest of the US?
Chicago's 3-bedroom median of $2,473 is +16% above the national 3-bedroom median of $2,130. It ranks in the 65th percentile of US cities tracked.
How does Chicago rank for 3-bedroom rent in Illinois?
Among the 142 cities in Illinois with 3-bedroom data, Chicago ranks #91 from cheapest to most expensive.
Are there cheaper 3-bedroom options near Chicago?
Yes — nearby cities with cheaper 3-bedroom rents include Cicero ($1,880), Berwyn ($2,060), Elmwood Park ($2,150).