Rents are 11% below what Decatur's 10-year trend predicts — a better deal than its own history suggests.
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 $995 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: August 17, 2026
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Who lives here
Decatur, IL is majority owner-occupied, has a large retiree population, has a median income below the national average, 21.6% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau · ACS 2024 5-Year Estimates
How Decatur, IL has changed in 5 years
Across the past five years, the going rent in Decatur, IL has shifted from $793 to $995, up 25.5% since 2023. Household income in the area moved from $45,111 to $51,592 across the same window, up 14.4% versus 2021. Because rent grew faster than wages over the same span, the affordability picture has tightened relative to 2021. Census counts show Decatur, IL losing about 1,494 residents over the five-year window, down 2.1% on net. Reading these numbers side by side helps frame whether current listings in Decatur, IL look reasonable against where the market sat half a decade ago.
Discussions about Decatur
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Can you afford rent in Decatur on your salary?
At $995/mo, how Decatur rent compares to typical pay (30% rule).
Decatur rent by bedroom count
Median rent for each apartment size in Decatur. Click any size for full breakdown.
Tips for renters in Decatur
Last updated: August 17, 2026
The median rent in Decatur is $995/mo as of August 2026. A studio apartment averages $760/mo while a 2-bedroom runs $995/mo. One-bedroom apartments average $800/mo and 3-bedroom units go for $1,310/mo.
At 23% of local median household income ($51,592/yr), Decatur ranks as affordable compared to the national benchmark of 30%. Rents have decreased 3.4% over the past year.
Frequently asked questions
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What percentage of Decatur residents rent vs. own?
How does Decatur rent compare to the national average?
At $995/mo, rent takes ~23% of Decatur's median household income ($51,592/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%.
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Estimated from ZIP-level data
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