At $2,327/mo, rent takes about 48% of the local median household income, well above the 30% benchmark.
Rent by unit size
These are HUD Fair Market Rents, the payment standard for a Housing Choice Voucher (Section 8). They often differ from the $2,327 market median above, and that is expected: FMR is the 40th percentile of standard-quality units and counts gross rent, so it includes essential utilities such as electricity, water, gas, sewer, and trash. The market median is asking rent, which usually excludes utilities. HUD sets FMR once a year; market rent here updates monthly.
Source: HUD Small Area Fair Market Rents. Read the methodology →
12-month history
Last updated: October 17, 2026
What the numbers show
Rent in Dolton changed -1.3% over the year to September 2026. Across the 94 Illinois cities Zillow tracks, the typical change was +4.0%.
Rent rose in 7 of the last 12 months.
30% of the median household income ($57,887) is $1,447 a month. That is less than HUD's Fair Market Rent for a studio ($1,600).
Riverdale, 2 miles away, rents for 47% less ($1,233/mo), about $13,100 a year in savings.
From Zillow's monthly rent index (ZORI) for Dolton. Income is the Census median household income (5-year estimates). Fair Market Rents are HUD’s, which include utilities.
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Who lives here
Dolton, IL is majority owner-occupied, has a median income below the national average, 22.7% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau · ACS 2024 5-Year Estimates
How Dolton, IL has changed in 5 years
Census figures show median household income at $57,887 today, compared with $53,047 five years earlier. Headcount in the area went from 21,588 to 20,825 between 2021 and 2024, a 3.5% change. About 27.4% of households rent today, against 29.5% in 2021. Educational attainment has shifted as well, with the share of adults holding a bachelor's degree or higher climbed from 20.3% to 22.7%.
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At $2,327/mo, how Dolton rent compares to typical pay (30% rule).
Dolton rent by bedroom count
Median rent for each apartment size in Dolton. Click any size for full breakdown.
Tips for renters in Dolton
Last updated: October 17, 2026
The median rent in Dolton is $2,327/mo as of October 2026. A studio apartment averages $1,600/mo while a 2-bedroom runs $1,930/mo. One-bedroom apartments average $1,710/mo and 3-bedroom units go for $2,480/mo.
At 48% of local median household income ($57,887/yr), Dolton ranks as moderate compared to the national benchmark of 30%. Rents have decreased 1.3% over the past year.
Frequently asked questions
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Is rent going up or down in Dolton?
How does Dolton rent compare to other cities in Illinois?
Which nearby cities are cheaper to rent in than Dolton?
At $2,327/mo, rent takes ~48% of Dolton's median household income ($57,887/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%.
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Estimated from ZIP-level data
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