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City Report · IL

Crystal Lake

Pop. 40,579·59th most expensive in Illinois·Rental market data updated monthly for Crystal Lake, IL
Median rent (all units)
$2,039/mo
Year-over-Year
+2.6%
Month-over-Month
-3.5%
vs US Median
+$77
Falling (Monthly)
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Most AffordableMost Expensive
Crystal Lake · $2,039
More expensive than 61% of US cities · National median $1,962/mo
Affordability
23% of income
VERY AFFORDABLE
0%30% benchmark60%+

At $2,039/mo, rent takes about 23% of the local median household income, comfortably within the 30% benchmark.

Income to afford
$82,000/yr
Local median income
$108,418/yr
Based on the 30%-of-income rule using Crystal Lake's median rent and household income. See the full affordability breakdown →
Medians by bedroom

Rent by unit size

Studio
$1,480
1 BR
$1,590
2 BR
$1,790
3 BR
$2,300
4 BR+
$2,700
Fair Market Rent (HUD)
$1,790/mo

These are HUD Fair Market Rents, the payment standard for a Housing Choice Voucher (Section 8). They often differ from the $2,039 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 →

Rent trends

12-month history

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Last updated: August 17, 2026

Annual cost
$24,468/yr
At $2,039/mo median
Rent Market Meter
Renter's Market
Renter's MarketBalancedLandlord's Market
Rents are softening (up only 2.6% YoY), so renters have negotiating leverage.
Based on rent-price momentum (+2.6% YoY, -3.5% MoM), not inventory.
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Demographics

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.

Population
40,579
Median income
$108,418
Median age
39.3
Renters
22.4%
Age distribution
23.4%
19.8%
29.4%
12.6%
14.9%
Under 1823.4%
18–3419.8%
35–5429.4%
55–6412.6%
65+14.9%
Gender
49.4%
50.6%
Male49.4%
Female50.6%
Race & ethnicity
81%
13.8%
White81%
Black0.6%
Hispanic13.8%
Asian3.9%
Other0.6%
Education (25+)
23.5%
27.9%
42%
No HS diploma6.7%
HS diploma23.5%
Some college27.9%
Bachelor's+42%
Housing tenure
77.6%
22.4%
Owner77.6%
Renter22.4%

Source: U.S. Census Bureau · ACS 2024 5-Year Estimates

2021 vs 2026

How Crystal Lake, IL has changed in 5 years

Income
$96,274 → $108,418
up 12.6%
Population
40,082 → 40,579
up 1.2%
Renter share
22.7% → 22.4%
-0.3 pts
Bachelor's+
40.5% → 42%
+1.5 pts

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.

Community

Discussions about Crystal Lake

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View Crystal Lake rent history (2015–2026) →
Salary vs rent

Can you afford rent in Crystal Lake on your salary?

At $2,039/mo, how Crystal Lake rent compares to typical pay (30% rule).

By apartment size

Crystal Lake rent by bedroom count

Median rent for each apartment size in Crystal Lake. Click any size for full breakdown.

Local insights

Tips for renters in Crystal Lake

About renting in Crystal Lake, IL

Last updated: August 17, 2026

The median rent in Crystal Lake is $2,039/mo as of August 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 23% of local median household income ($108,418/yr), Crystal Lake ranks as affordable compared to the national benchmark of 30%. Rents have increased 2.6% over the past year.

FAQ

Frequently asked questions

Is Crystal Lake an affordable city for renters?

Crystal Lake is considered very affordable for renters. At $2,039/mo, rent takes approximately 23% of the local median household income ($108,418/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%. Crystal Lake falls comfortably within that range.

How much income do you need to rent in Crystal Lake?

To keep rent at or below 30% of gross income, you would need to earn at least $82,000/year (~$39/hour full-time) to afford the median rent of $2,039/mo in Crystal Lake. The local median household income is $108,418/yr, meaning the typical Crystal Lake household meets that threshold.

Is rent going up or down in Crystal Lake?

Rent in Crystal Lake has increased 2.6% over the past year as of August 2026, putting upward pressure on renter budgets.

How does Crystal Lake rent compare to other cities in Illinois?

Crystal Lake is middle-of-the-pack for Illinois for rent, ranking #59 out of 142 tracked cities at $2,039/mo.

Which nearby cities are cheaper to rent in than Crystal Lake?

Several nearby cities have lower median rents than Crystal Lake ($2,039/mo): Woodstock ($1,415/mo), McHenry ($1,997/mo).

What percentage of Crystal Lake residents rent vs. own?

According to Census data, approximately 22.4% of Crystal Lake households are renters, while 77.6% are owner-occupied. Crystal Lake leans toward homeownership, which can mean a smaller rental inventory.

How does Crystal Lake rent compare to the national average?

Crystal Lake's median rent of $2,039/mo is $77 (4%) above the US national median of $1,962/mo. Within Illinois, it ranks #59 out of 142 tracked cities.
Income Affordability
23%
VERY AFFORDABLE

At $2,039/mo, rent takes ~23% of Crystal Lake's median household income ($108,418/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%.

Crystal Lake 23%Benchmark 30%
State income tax4.95%
Run the Crystal Lake affordability calculator →
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Neighborhoods

Estimated from ZIP-level data

Schools nearby

Public schools near Crystal Lake, IL

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