1-Bedroom Apartment Rent in Dekalb, IL
Median asking rent for a 1-bedroom apartment in Dekalb, Illinois as of August 2026. That's +28% lower than the citywide median of $1,394 and +28% below the national 1-bedroom median of $1,395.
Income needed for a 1-bedroom in Dekalb
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 1-bedroom at the current median rent.
Rent by apartment size in Dekalb
Compare Dekalb's median rent across every apartment size.
Cheapest cities for a 1-bedroom in Illinois
| # | City | 1-Bedroom rent |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Carbondale | $530 |
| 2 | Round Lake Beach | $650 |
| 3 | Charleston | $720 |
| 4 | Pekin | $720 |
| 5 | Quincy | $730 |
| 6 | Macomb | $740 |
| 7 | Danville | $770 |
| 8 | Dixon | $770 |
| 9 | Peoria Heights | $770 |
| 10 | Marion | $780 |
| 11 | Normal | $790 |
| 12 | Decatur | $800 |
| 13 | Rock Island | $800 |
| 14 | Peoria | $813 |
| 15 | Moline | $820 |
Most expensive cities for a 1-bedroom in Illinois
| # | City | 1-Bedroom rent |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Morton Grove | $2,340 |
| 2 | Deerfield | $2,340 |
| 3 | Barrington | $2,340 |
| 4 | Wilmette | $2,240 |
| 5 | Buffalo Grove | $2,240 |
| 6 | Highland Park | $2,210 |
| 7 | Plainfield | $2,155 |
| 8 | Naperville | $2,113 |
| 9 | Vernon Hills | $2,110 |
| 10 | Streamwood | $2,110 |
| 11 | Northbrook | $2,100 |
| 12 | Bartlett | $2,070 |
| 13 | Bolingbrook | $2,060 |
| 14 | Romeoville | $2,050 |
| 15 | Elmhurst | $2,050 |
Nearby cities — 1-bedroom rent
Considering nearby alternatives? 1 of these cities have cheaper 1-bedroom rents than Dekalb.
| City | Distance | 1-Bedroom rent | vs Dekalb |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sycamore, IL | 10.1 mi | $1,080 | +$80 (+8%) |
| North Aurora, IL | 28.9 mi | $1,750 | +$750 (+75%) |
| Geneva, IL | 29 mi | $2,040 | +$1,040 (+104%) |
| Yorkville, IL | 30.6 mi | $1,330 | +$330 (+33%) |
| Batavia, IL | 31.7 mi | $1,470 | +$470 (+47%) |
| Saint Charles, IL | 32 mi | $1,870 | +$870 (+87%) |
| Elgin, IL | 32 mi | $1,730 | +$730 (+73%) |
| Oswego, IL | 33.1 mi | $1,335 | +$335 (+34%) |
| Rockford, IL | 34.3 mi | $866 | $-134 (-13%) |
| Aurora, IL | 34.5 mi | $1,844 | +$844 (+84%) |
| West Dundee, IL | 34.6 mi | $1,550 | +$550 (+55%) |
| Carpentersville, IL | 35.6 mi | $1,640 | +$640 (+64%) |
1-Bedroom rent in Dekalb — common questions
How much is a 1-bedroom apartment in Dekalb?
As of August 2026, the median 1-bedroom apartment rent in Dekalb, Illinois is $1,000 per month. This is +28% below the citywide median of $1,394.
What income do you need to afford a 1-bedroom in Dekalb?
Using the standard 30% rent-to-income rule, you would need an annual income of about $40,000 ($3,333/month gross), which works out to roughly $19.23/hour at a full-time job.
Is Dekalb expensive for a 1-bedroom compared to the rest of the US?
Dekalb's 1-bedroom median of $1,000 is +28% below the national 1-bedroom median of $1,395. It ranks in the 20th percentile of US cities tracked.
How does Dekalb rank for 1-bedroom rent in Illinois?
Among the 141 cities in Illinois with 1-bedroom data, Dekalb ranks #33 from cheapest to most expensive.
Are there cheaper 1-bedroom options near Dekalb?
Yes — nearby cities with cheaper 1-bedroom rents include Rockford ($866).