1-Bedroom Apartment Rent in Elgin, IL
Median asking rent for a 1-bedroom apartment in Elgin, Illinois as of August 2026. That's +10% lower than the citywide median of $1,925 and +24% above the national 1-bedroom median of $1,395.
Income needed for a 1-bedroom in Elgin
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 1-bedroom at the current median rent.
Rent by apartment size in Elgin
Compare Elgin's median rent across every apartment size.
Cheapest cities for a 1-bedroom in Illinois
| # | City | 1-Bedroom rent |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Carbondale | $530 |
| 2 | Round Lake Beach | $650 |
| 3 | Charleston | $720 |
| 4 | Pekin | $720 |
| 5 | Quincy | $730 |
| 6 | Macomb | $740 |
| 7 | Danville | $770 |
| 8 | Dixon | $770 |
| 9 | Peoria Heights | $770 |
| 10 | Marion | $780 |
| 11 | Normal | $790 |
| 12 | Decatur | $800 |
| 13 | Rock Island | $800 |
| 14 | Peoria | $813 |
| 15 | Moline | $820 |
Most expensive cities for a 1-bedroom in Illinois
| # | City | 1-Bedroom rent |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Morton Grove | $2,340 |
| 2 | Deerfield | $2,340 |
| 3 | Barrington | $2,340 |
| 4 | Wilmette | $2,240 |
| 5 | Buffalo Grove | $2,240 |
| 6 | Highland Park | $2,210 |
| 7 | Plainfield | $2,155 |
| 8 | Naperville | $2,113 |
| 9 | Vernon Hills | $2,110 |
| 10 | Streamwood | $2,110 |
| 11 | Northbrook | $2,100 |
| 12 | Bartlett | $2,070 |
| 13 | Bolingbrook | $2,060 |
| 14 | Romeoville | $2,050 |
| 15 | Elmhurst | $2,050 |
Nearby cities — 1-bedroom rent
Considering nearby alternatives? 5 of these cities have cheaper 1-bedroom rents than Elgin.
| City | Distance | 1-Bedroom rent | vs Elgin |
|---|---|---|---|
| West Dundee, IL | 5.2 mi | $1,550 | $-180 (-10%) |
| Carpentersville, IL | 6 mi | $1,640 | $-90 (-5%) |
| Saint Charles, IL | 7.1 mi | $1,870 | +$140 (+8%) |
| Bartlett, IL | 8.5 mi | $2,070 | +$340 (+20%) |
| Streamwood, IL | 9.6 mi | $2,110 | +$380 (+22%) |
| Geneva, IL | 10.7 mi | $2,040 | +$310 (+18%) |
| Lake in the Hills, IL | 11.9 mi | $1,890 | +$160 (+9%) |
| Barrington, IL | 13.1 mi | $2,340 | +$610 (+35%) |
| Batavia, IL | 13.2 mi | $1,470 | $-260 (-15%) |
| Crystal Lake, IL | 13.9 mi | $1,590 | $-140 (-8%) |
| Carol Stream, IL | 15.2 mi | $1,670 | $-60 (-3%) |
| North Aurora, IL | 15.5 mi | $1,750 | +$20 (+1%) |
1-Bedroom rent in Elgin — common questions
How much is a 1-bedroom apartment in Elgin?
As of August 2026, the median 1-bedroom apartment rent in Elgin, Illinois is $1,730 per month. This is +10% below the citywide median of $1,925.
What income do you need to afford a 1-bedroom in Elgin?
Using the standard 30% rent-to-income rule, you would need an annual income of about $69,200 ($5,767/month gross), which works out to roughly $33.27/hour at a full-time job.
Is Elgin expensive for a 1-bedroom compared to the rest of the US?
Elgin's 1-bedroom median of $1,730 is +24% above the national 1-bedroom median of $1,395. It ranks in the 71th percentile of US cities tracked.
How does Elgin rank for 1-bedroom rent in Illinois?
Among the 141 cities in Illinois with 1-bedroom data, Elgin ranks #96 from cheapest to most expensive.
Are there cheaper 1-bedroom options near Elgin?
Yes — nearby cities with cheaper 1-bedroom rents include West Dundee ($1,550), Carpentersville ($1,640), Batavia ($1,470).