At $1,969/mo, rent takes about 22% of the local median household income, comfortably within the 30% benchmark.
Rent by unit size
These are HUD Fair Market Rents, the payment standard for a Housing Choice Voucher (Section 8). They often differ from the $1,969 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 →
12-month history
Last updated: October 17, 2026
What the numbers show
Rent in Crystal Lake changed +6.5% over the year to September 2026. Across the 94 Illinois cities Zillow tracks, the typical change was +4.0%.
Rent has risen 5 months in a row, and rose in 10 of the last 12 months.
30% of the median household income ($108,418) is $2,710 a month. That covers HUD's Fair Market Rent for up to a 4-bedroom ($2,700).
Woodstock, 9 miles away, rents for 25% less ($1,474/mo), about $5,900 a year in savings.
From Zillow's monthly rent index (ZORI) for Crystal Lake. Income is the Census median household income (5-year estimates). Fair Market Rents are HUD’s, which include utilities.
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Who lives here
Crystal Lake, IL is majority owner-occupied, has a median income above the national average, 42% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau · ACS 2024 5-Year Estimates
How Crystal Lake, IL has changed in 5 years
Median household income climbed from $96,274 to $108,418 between 2021 and 2024, a 12.6% shift. Census counts show Crystal Lake, IL adding about 497 residents over the five-year window, up 1.2% on net.
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Can you afford rent in Crystal Lake on your salary?
At $1,969/mo, how Crystal Lake rent compares to typical pay (30% rule).
Crystal Lake rent by bedroom count
Median rent for each apartment size in Crystal Lake. Click any size for full breakdown.
Tips for renters in Crystal Lake
Last updated: October 17, 2026
The median rent in Crystal Lake is $1,969/mo as of October 2026. A studio apartment averages $1,480/mo while a 2-bedroom runs $1,790/mo. One-bedroom apartments average $1,590/mo and 3-bedroom units go for $2,300/mo.
At 22% of local median household income ($108,418/yr), Crystal Lake ranks as affordable compared to the national benchmark of 30%. Rents have increased 6.5% over the past year.
Frequently asked questions
How much income do you need to rent in Crystal Lake?
Is rent going up or down in Crystal Lake?
How does Crystal Lake rent compare to other cities in Illinois?
At $1,969/mo, rent takes ~22% of Crystal Lake's median household income ($108,418/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%.
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Estimated from ZIP-level data
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