How much does it cost to rent in Des Plaines, IL?

As of July 2026, the median monthly rent in Des Plaines, IL is $2,031. This figure is based on aggregated data from public sources and community-submitted rents.

Is Des Plaines cheaper than other Illinois cities?

Des Plaines falls in the middle range for Illinois, ranking #61 out of 142 cities at $2,031/mo.

When was Des Plaines rent data last updated?

Des Plaines rent data reflects July 2026 and was last refreshed on July 20, 2026. RentDataNow refreshes all data monthly using public and private datasets.

Is Des Plaines a renter's market or a landlord's market?

Based on RentDataNow's Rent Market Meter, Des Plaines is currently a renter's market. Rents are softening (down 1.2% YoY), so renters have negotiating leverage. The meter is derived from rent-price momentum (year-over-year and month-over-month change), not inventory levels.

City Report · IL

Des Plaines

Name: Average Rent Prices in Des Plaines, IL
Creator: RentDataNow
License: https://rentdatanow.com/terms-of-service

Pop. 59,156·61st most expensive in Illinois·Rental market data updated monthly for Des Plaines, IL

Median rent (all units)

$2,031/mo

Year-over-Year

-1.2%

Month-over-Month

-1.8%

vs US Median

+$66

Falling (Monthly)

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Most AffordableMost Expensive

Des Plaines · $2,031

More expensive than 61% of US cities · National median $1,965/mo

Rent Reality Score

56/100

Fairly priced

OverheatedFairGreat value

Rents are 3% below what Des Plaines's 10-year trend predicts — a better deal than its own history suggests.

Actual rent

$2,031/mo

Expected by trend

$2,091/mo

The Rent Reality Score compares today's median rent to where Des Plaines's own long-run trajectory projects it should be. See the full rankings →

Medians by bedroom

Rent by unit size

Studio

$1,370

1 BR

$1,465

2 BR

$1,655

3 BR

$2,125

4 BR+

$2,500

Research median

$1,655/mo

Bedroom estimates are gross rents that include essential utilities (electricity, water, gas, sewer, trash).

Rent trends

12-month history

Loading…

Last updated: July 20, 2026

Annual cost

$24,372/yr

At $2,031/mo median

Rent Market Meter

Renter's Market

Renter's MarketBalancedLandlord's Market

Rents are softening (down 1.2% YoY), so renters have negotiating leverage.

Based on rent-price momentum (-1.2% YoY, -1.8% MoM), not inventory.

Rent check

Is your rent fair?

Compare your rent to the local median.

Demographics

Who lives here

Des Plaines, IL is majority owner-occupied, has a large retiree population, has a median income above the national average, 38.9% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

Population

59,156

Median income

$97,875

Median age

42.3

Renters

21.7%

Age distribution

20.4%

18.8%

25.4%

14.6%

20.8%

Under 1820.4%

18–3418.8%

35–5425.4%

55–6414.6%

65+20.8%

Gender

49%

51%

Male49%

Female51%

Race & ethnicity

56.9%

23.1%

14.9%

White56.9%

Black4.1%

Hispanic23.1%

Asian14.9%

Other1%

Education (25+)

22.4%

28.7%

38.9%

No HS diploma9.9%

HS diploma22.4%

Some college28.7%

Bachelor's+38.9%

Housing tenure

78.3%

21.7%

Owner78.3%

Renter21.7%

Source: U.S. Census Bureau · ACS 2024 5-Year Estimates

2021 vs 2026

How Des Plaines, IL has changed in 5 years

Rent

$1,560 → $2,031

up 30.2%

Income

$79,453 → $97,875

up 23.2%

Population

60,413 → 59,156

down 2.1%

Renter share

21.1% → 21.7%

+0.6 pts

Bachelor's+

39.1% → 38.9%

-0.2 pts

Across the past five years, the going rent in Des Plaines, IL has shifted from $1,560 to $2,031, up 30.2% since 2021. Local incomes tracked alongside that move, going from a median of $79,453 in 2021 to $97,875 more recently. Because rent grew faster than wages over the same span, the affordability picture has tightened relative to 2021. Census counts show Des Plaines, IL losing about 1,257 residents over the five-year window, down 2.1% on net. These shifts give renters and would-be renters a longer baseline for sizing up today's listings against the Des Plaines, IL market of 2021.

Community

Discussions about Des Plaines

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View Des Plaines rent history (2015–2026) →

Salary vs rent

Can you afford rent in Des Plaines on your salary?

At $2,031/mo, how Des Plaines rent compares to typical pay (30% rule).

Registered Nurse

Avg $96,370/yr · Rent = 25.3% income

affordable

Elementary School Teacher

Avg $68,422/yr · Rent = 35.6% income

stretched

Police Officer

Avg $78,815/yr · Rent = 30.9% income

stretched

Software Developer

Avg $140,872/yr · Rent = 17.3% income

very comfortable

Lawyer

Avg $179,999/yr · Rent = 13.5% income

very comfortable

Firefighter

Avg $64,066/yr · Rent = 38% income

stretched

Truck Driver

Avg $57,844/yr · Rent = 42.1% income

rent-burdened

Electrician

Avg $71,298/yr · Rent = 34.2% income

stretched

By apartment size

Des Plaines rent by bedroom count

Median rent for each apartment size in Des Plaines. Click any size for full breakdown.

Local insights

Tips for renters in Des Plaines

About renting in Des Plaines, IL

Last updated: July 20, 2026

The median rent in Des Plaines is $2,031/mo as of July 2026. A studio apartment averages $1,370/mo while a 2-bedroom runs $1,655/mo. One-bedroom apartments average $1,465/mo and 3-bedroom units go for $2,125/mo.

At 25% of local median household income ($97,875/yr), Des Plaines ranks as affordable compared to the national benchmark of 30%. Rents have decreased 1.2% over the past year.

FAQ

Frequently asked questions

Is Des Plaines an affordable city for renters?

Des Plaines is considered affordable for renters. At $2,031/mo, rent takes approximately 25% of the local median household income ($97,875/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%. Des Plaines falls comfortably within that range.

How much income do you need to rent in Des Plaines?

To keep rent at or below 30% of gross income, you would need to earn at least $81,000/year (~$39/hour full-time) to afford the median rent of $2,031/mo in Des Plaines. The local median household income is $97,875/yr, meaning the typical Des Plaines household meets that threshold.

Is rent going up or down in Des Plaines?

Rent in Des Plaines has decreased 1.2% over the past year as of July 2026, offering some relief compared to 12 months ago.

Which Des Plaines neighborhoods have the lowest rent?

The most affordable ZIP codes in Des Plaines are 60016 ($2,000/mo), and 60018 ($2,531/mo). Citywide, the median rent in Des Plaines is $2,031/mo.

How does Des Plaines rent compare to other cities in Illinois?

Des Plaines is middle-of-the-pack for Illinois for rent, ranking #61 out of 142 tracked cities at $2,031/mo.

Which nearby cities are cheaper to rent in than Des Plaines?

Several nearby cities have lower median rents than Des Plaines ($2,031/mo): Franklin Park ($1,700/mo), Mount Prospect ($1,718/mo), Bensenville ($1,865/mo).

What percentage of Des Plaines residents rent vs. own?

According to Census data, approximately 21.7% of Des Plaines households are renters, while 78.3% are owner-occupied. Des Plaines leans toward homeownership, which can mean a smaller rental inventory.

How does Des Plaines rent compare to the national average?

Des Plaines's median rent of $2,031/mo is $66 (3%) above the US national median of $1,965/mo. Within Illinois, it ranks #61 out of 142 tracked cities.

Income Affordability

25%

AFFORDABLE

At $2,031/mo, rent takes ~25% of Des Plaines's median household income ($97,875/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%.

Des Plaines 25%Benchmark 30%

State income tax4.95%

Run the Des Plaines affordability calculator →

Nearby cities