Studio Apartment Rent in Chicago, IL
Median asking rent for a studio apartment in Chicago, Illinois as of July 2026. That's +34% lower than the citywide median of $2,409 and +24% above the national studio median of $1,290.
Income needed for a studio 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 studio at the current median rent.
Rent by apartment size in Chicago
Compare Chicago's median rent across every apartment size.
Cheapest cities for a studio in Illinois
| # | City | Studio rent |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Dixon | $610 |
| 2 | Rantoul | $638 |
| 3 | Charleston | $640 |
| 4 | Quincy | $650 |
| 5 | Macomb | $660 |
| 6 | Pekin | $660 |
| 7 | Rock Island | $680 |
| 8 | Danville | $690 |
| 9 | Carbondale | $700 |
| 10 | Moline | $700 |
| 11 | Normal | $720 |
| 12 | Peoria | $738 |
| 13 | Springfield | $750 |
| 14 | Washington | $750 |
| 15 | Decatur | $760 |
Most expensive cities for a studio in Illinois
| # | City | Studio rent |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Morton Grove | $2,190 |
| 2 | Lake Forest | $2,190 |
| 3 | Deerfield | $2,190 |
| 4 | Barrington | $2,190 |
| 5 | Wilmette | $2,100 |
| 6 | Buffalo Grove | $2,100 |
| 7 | Highland Park | $2,060 |
| 8 | Plainfield | $2,015 |
| 9 | Naperville | $1,978 |
| 10 | Vernon Hills | $1,970 |
| 11 | Streamwood | $1,970 |
| 12 | Northbrook | $1,960 |
| 13 | Bartlett | $1,940 |
| 14 | Bolingbrook | $1,925 |
| 15 | Romeoville | $1,910 |
Nearby cities — studio rent
Considering nearby alternatives? 5 of these cities have cheaper studio rents than Chicago.
| City | Distance | Studio rent | vs Chicago |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cicero, IL | 6.5 mi | $1,210 | $-385 (-24%) |
| Oak Park, IL | 8.3 mi | $1,683 | +$88 (+6%) |
| Berwyn, IL | 8.6 mi | $1,330 | $-265 (-17%) |
| Elmwood Park, IL | 9.8 mi | $1,380 | $-215 (-13%) |
| Forest Park, IL | 10 mi | $1,370 | $-225 (-14%) |
| Evergreen Park, IL | 10.7 mi | $1,340 | $-255 (-16%) |
| Evanston, IL | 11.7 mi | $1,855 | +$260 (+16%) |
| Skokie, IL | 12.1 mi | $1,535 | $-60 (-4%) |
| Oak Lawn, IL | 12.4 mi | $1,350 | $-245 (-15%) |
| Brookfield, IL | 12.5 mi | $1,270 | $-325 (-20%) |
| Broadview, IL | 12.7 mi | $1,160 | $-435 (-27%) |
| Chicago Ridge, IL | 13.9 mi | $1,210 | $-385 (-24%) |
Studio rent in Chicago — common questions
How much is a studio apartment in Chicago?
As of July 2026, the median studio apartment rent in Chicago, Illinois is $1,595 per month. This is +34% below the citywide median of $2,409.
What income do you need to afford a studio in Chicago?
Using the standard 30% rent-to-income rule, you would need an annual income of about $63,800 ($5,317/month gross), which works out to roughly $30.67/hour at a full-time job.
Is Chicago expensive for a studio compared to the rest of the US?
Chicago's studio median of $1,595 is +24% above the national studio median of $1,290. It ranks in the 71th percentile of US cities tracked.
How does Chicago rank for studio rent in Illinois?
Among the 140 cities in Illinois with studio data, Chicago ranks #89 from cheapest to most expensive.
Are there cheaper studio options near Chicago?
Yes — nearby cities with cheaper studio rents include Cicero ($1,210), Berwyn ($1,330), Elmwood Park ($1,380).