2-Bedroom Apartment Rent in Dekalb, IL
Median asking rent for a 2-bedroom apartment in Dekalb, Illinois as of August 2026. That's +6% lower than the citywide median of $1,394 and +21% below the national 2-bedroom median of $1,655.
Income needed for a 2-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 2-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 2-bedroom in Illinois
| # | City | 2-Bedroom rent |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Carbondale | $670 |
| 2 | Dixon | $870 |
| 3 | Pekin | $920 |
| 4 | Charleston | $930 |
| 5 | Quincy | $950 |
| 6 | Macomb | $960 |
| 7 | Peoria Heights | $980 |
| 8 | Rantoul | $980 |
| 9 | Rock Island | $990 |
| 10 | Decatur | $995 |
| 11 | Danville | $1,010 |
| 12 | Moline | $1,010 |
| 13 | Normal | $1,010 |
| 14 | Savoy | $1,010 |
| 15 | Pontoon Beach | $1,014 |
Most expensive cities for a 2-bedroom in Illinois
| # | City | 2-Bedroom rent |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Morton Grove | $2,640 |
| 2 | Deerfield | $2,640 |
| 3 | Barrington | $2,640 |
| 4 | Wilmette | $2,530 |
| 5 | Buffalo Grove | $2,530 |
| 6 | Highland Park | $2,490 |
| 7 | Plainfield | $2,455 |
| 8 | Naperville | $2,388 |
| 9 | Vernon Hills | $2,380 |
| 10 | Streamwood | $2,380 |
| 11 | Northbrook | $2,370 |
| 12 | Bartlett | $2,340 |
| 13 | Bolingbrook | $2,325 |
| 14 | Romeoville | $2,310 |
| 15 | Elmhurst | $2,310 |
Nearby cities — 2-bedroom rent
Considering nearby alternatives? 1 of these cities have cheaper 2-bedroom rents than Dekalb.
| City | Distance | 2-Bedroom rent | vs Dekalb |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sycamore, IL | 10.1 mi | $1,410 | +$100 (+8%) |
| North Aurora, IL | 28.9 mi | $1,980 | +$670 (+51%) |
| Geneva, IL | 29 mi | $2,300 | +$990 (+76%) |
| Yorkville, IL | 30.6 mi | $1,740 | +$430 (+33%) |
| Batavia, IL | 31.7 mi | $1,660 | +$350 (+27%) |
| Saint Charles, IL | 32 mi | $2,110 | +$800 (+61%) |
| Elgin, IL | 32 mi | $1,953 | +$643 (+49%) |
| Oswego, IL | 33.1 mi | $1,695 | +$385 (+29%) |
| Rockford, IL | 34.3 mi | $1,132 | $-178 (-14%) |
| Aurora, IL | 34.5 mi | $2,102 | +$792 (+60%) |
| West Dundee, IL | 34.6 mi | $1,750 | +$440 (+34%) |
| Carpentersville, IL | 35.6 mi | $1,850 | +$540 (+41%) |
2-Bedroom rent in Dekalb — common questions
How much is a 2-bedroom apartment in Dekalb?
As of August 2026, the median 2-bedroom apartment rent in Dekalb, Illinois is $1,310 per month. This is +6% below the citywide median of $1,394.
What income do you need to afford a 2-bedroom in Dekalb?
Using the standard 30% rent-to-income rule, you would need an annual income of about $52,400 ($4,367/month gross), which works out to roughly $25.19/hour at a full-time job.
Is Dekalb expensive for a 2-bedroom compared to the rest of the US?
Dekalb's 2-bedroom median of $1,310 is +21% below the national 2-bedroom median of $1,655. It ranks in the 27th percentile of US cities tracked.
How does Dekalb rank for 2-bedroom rent in Illinois?
Among the 142 cities in Illinois with 2-bedroom data, Dekalb ranks #37 from cheapest to most expensive.
Are there cheaper 2-bedroom options near Dekalb?
Yes — nearby cities with cheaper 2-bedroom rents include Rockford ($1,132).