Studio Apartment Rent in Dekalb, IL
Median asking rent for a studio apartment in Dekalb, Illinois as of July 2026. That's +34% lower than the citywide median of $1,371 and +30% below the national studio median of $1,290.
Income needed for a studio 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 studio at the current median rent.
Rent by apartment size in Dekalb
Compare Dekalb's median rent across every apartment size.
Cheapest cities for a studio in Illinois
| # | City | Studio rent |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Dixon | $610 |
| 2 | Rantoul | $638 |
| 3 | Charleston | $640 |
| 4 | Quincy | $650 |
| 5 | Macomb | $660 |
| 6 | Pekin | $660 |
| 7 | Rock Island | $680 |
| 8 | Danville | $690 |
| 9 | Carbondale | $700 |
| 10 | Moline | $700 |
| 11 | Normal | $720 |
| 12 | Peoria | $738 |
| 13 | Springfield | $750 |
| 14 | Washington | $750 |
| 15 | Decatur | $760 |
Most expensive cities for a studio in Illinois
| # | City | Studio rent |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Morton Grove | $2,190 |
| 2 | Lake Forest | $2,190 |
| 3 | Deerfield | $2,190 |
| 4 | Barrington | $2,190 |
| 5 | Wilmette | $2,100 |
| 6 | Buffalo Grove | $2,100 |
| 7 | Highland Park | $2,060 |
| 8 | Plainfield | $2,015 |
| 9 | Naperville | $1,978 |
| 10 | Vernon Hills | $1,970 |
| 11 | Streamwood | $1,970 |
| 12 | Northbrook | $1,960 |
| 13 | Bartlett | $1,940 |
| 14 | Bolingbrook | $1,925 |
| 15 | Romeoville | $1,910 |
Nearby cities — studio rent
Considering nearby alternatives? 1 of these cities have cheaper studio rents than Dekalb.
| City | Distance | Studio rent | vs Dekalb |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sycamore, IL | 10.1 mi | $970 | +$70 (+8%) |
| North Aurora, IL | 28.9 mi | $1,640 | +$740 (+82%) |
| Geneva, IL | 29 mi | $1,900 | +$1,000 (+111%) |
| Yorkville, IL | 30.6 mi | $1,320 | +$420 (+47%) |
| Saint Charles, IL | 32 mi | $1,750 | +$850 (+94%) |
| Elgin, IL | 32 mi | $1,620 | +$720 (+80%) |
| Oswego, IL | 33.1 mi | $1,305 | +$405 (+45%) |
| Rockford, IL | 34.3 mi | $778 | $-122 (-14%) |
| Aurora, IL | 34.5 mi | $1,730 | +$830 (+92%) |
| West Dundee, IL | 34.6 mi | $1,450 | +$550 (+61%) |
| Woodstock, IL | 36.1 mi | $1,340 | +$440 (+49%) |
| Machesney Park, IL | 36.8 mi | $940 | +$40 (+4%) |
Studio rent in Dekalb — common questions
How much is a studio apartment in Dekalb?
As of July 2026, the median studio apartment rent in Dekalb, Illinois is $900 per month. This is +34% below the citywide median of $1,371.
What income do you need to afford a studio in Dekalb?
Using the standard 30% rent-to-income rule, you would need an annual income of about $36,000 ($3,000/month gross), which works out to roughly $17.31/hour at a full-time job.
Is Dekalb expensive for a studio compared to the rest of the US?
Dekalb's studio median of $900 is +30% below the national studio median of $1,290. It ranks in the 19th percentile of US cities tracked.
How does Dekalb rank for studio rent in Illinois?
Among the 140 cities in Illinois with studio data, Dekalb ranks #30 from cheapest to most expensive.
Are there cheaper studio options near Dekalb?
Yes — nearby cities with cheaper studio rents include Rockford ($778).