3-Bedroom Apartment Rent in Dekalb, IL
Median asking rent for a 3-bedroom apartment in Dekalb, Illinois as of August 2026. That's +28% higher than the citywide median of $1,394 and +16% below the national 3-bedroom median of $2,130.
Income needed for a 3-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 3-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 3-bedroom in Illinois
| # | City | 3-Bedroom rent |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Carbondale | $875 |
| 2 | Pekin | $1,190 |
| 3 | Dixon | $1,210 |
| 4 | Macomb | $1,220 |
| 5 | Charleston | $1,230 |
| 6 | Danville | $1,230 |
| 7 | Quincy | $1,230 |
| 8 | Swansea | $1,243 |
| 9 | Peoria Heights | $1,270 |
| 10 | Rantoul | $1,270 |
| 11 | Rock Island | $1,290 |
| 12 | Decatur | $1,310 |
| 13 | Savoy | $1,310 |
| 14 | Moline | $1,320 |
| 15 | Peoria | $1,340 |
Most expensive cities for a 3-bedroom in Illinois
| # | City | 3-Bedroom rent |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Morton Grove | $3,390 |
| 2 | Deerfield | $3,390 |
| 3 | Barrington | $3,390 |
| 4 | Wilmette | $3,250 |
| 5 | Buffalo Grove | $3,250 |
| 6 | Highland Park | $3,200 |
| 7 | Plainfield | $3,165 |
| 8 | Naperville | $3,068 |
| 9 | Vernon Hills | $3,060 |
| 10 | Streamwood | $3,060 |
| 11 | Northbrook | $3,040 |
| 12 | Bartlett | $3,010 |
| 13 | Bolingbrook | $2,985 |
| 14 | Romeoville | $2,970 |
| 15 | Elmhurst | $2,970 |
Nearby cities — 3-bedroom rent
Considering nearby alternatives? 1 of these cities have cheaper 3-bedroom rents than Dekalb.
| City | Distance | 3-Bedroom rent | vs Dekalb |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sycamore, IL | 10.1 mi | $1,920 | +$140 (+8%) |
| North Aurora, IL | 28.9 mi | $2,540 | +$760 (+43%) |
| Geneva, IL | 29 mi | $2,950 | +$1,170 (+66%) |
| Yorkville, IL | 30.6 mi | $2,440 | +$660 (+37%) |
| Batavia, IL | 31.7 mi | $2,130 | +$350 (+20%) |
| Saint Charles, IL | 32 mi | $2,710 | +$930 (+52%) |
| Elgin, IL | 32 mi | $2,507 | +$727 (+41%) |
| Oswego, IL | 33.1 mi | $2,340 | +$560 (+31%) |
| Rockford, IL | 34.3 mi | $1,496 | $-284 (-16%) |
| Aurora, IL | 34.5 mi | $2,718 | +$938 (+53%) |
| West Dundee, IL | 34.6 mi | $2,250 | +$470 (+26%) |
| Carpentersville, IL | 35.6 mi | $2,380 | +$600 (+34%) |
3-Bedroom rent in Dekalb — common questions
How much is a 3-bedroom apartment in Dekalb?
As of August 2026, the median 3-bedroom apartment rent in Dekalb, Illinois is $1,780 per month. This is +28% higher than the citywide median of $1,394.
What income do you need to afford a 3-bedroom in Dekalb?
Using the standard 30% rent-to-income rule, you would need an annual income of about $71,200 ($5,933/month gross), which works out to roughly $34.23/hour at a full-time job.
Is Dekalb expensive for a 3-bedroom compared to the rest of the US?
Dekalb's 3-bedroom median of $1,780 is +16% below the national 3-bedroom median of $2,130. It ranks in the 32th percentile of US cities tracked.
How does Dekalb rank for 3-bedroom rent in Illinois?
Among the 142 cities in Illinois with 3-bedroom data, Dekalb ranks #40 from cheapest to most expensive.
Are there cheaper 3-bedroom options near Dekalb?
Yes — nearby cities with cheaper 3-bedroom rents include Rockford ($1,496).