2-Bedroom Apartment Rent in Elgin, IL
Median asking rent for a 2-bedroom apartment in Elgin, Illinois as of August 2026. That's +1% higher than the citywide median of $1,925 and +18% above the national 2-bedroom median of $1,655.
Income needed for a 2-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 2-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 2-bedroom in Illinois
| # | City | 2-Bedroom rent |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Carbondale | $670 |
| 2 | Dixon | $870 |
| 3 | Pekin | $920 |
| 4 | Charleston | $930 |
| 5 | Quincy | $950 |
| 6 | Macomb | $960 |
| 7 | Peoria Heights | $980 |
| 8 | Rantoul | $980 |
| 9 | Rock Island | $990 |
| 10 | Decatur | $995 |
| 11 | Danville | $1,010 |
| 12 | Moline | $1,010 |
| 13 | Normal | $1,010 |
| 14 | Savoy | $1,010 |
| 15 | Pontoon Beach | $1,014 |
Most expensive cities for a 2-bedroom in Illinois
| # | City | 2-Bedroom rent |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Morton Grove | $2,640 |
| 2 | Deerfield | $2,640 |
| 3 | Barrington | $2,640 |
| 4 | Wilmette | $2,530 |
| 5 | Buffalo Grove | $2,530 |
| 6 | Highland Park | $2,490 |
| 7 | Plainfield | $2,455 |
| 8 | Naperville | $2,388 |
| 9 | Vernon Hills | $2,380 |
| 10 | Streamwood | $2,380 |
| 11 | Northbrook | $2,370 |
| 12 | Bartlett | $2,340 |
| 13 | Bolingbrook | $2,325 |
| 14 | Romeoville | $2,310 |
| 15 | Elmhurst | $2,310 |
Nearby cities — 2-bedroom rent
Considering nearby alternatives? 5 of these cities have cheaper 2-bedroom rents than Elgin.
| City | Distance | 2-Bedroom rent | vs Elgin |
|---|---|---|---|
| West Dundee, IL | 5.2 mi | $1,750 | $-203 (-10%) |
| Carpentersville, IL | 6 mi | $1,850 | $-103 (-5%) |
| Saint Charles, IL | 7.1 mi | $2,110 | +$157 (+8%) |
| Bartlett, IL | 8.5 mi | $2,340 | +$387 (+20%) |
| Streamwood, IL | 9.6 mi | $2,380 | +$427 (+22%) |
| Geneva, IL | 10.7 mi | $2,300 | +$347 (+18%) |
| Lake in the Hills, IL | 11.9 mi | $2,130 | +$177 (+9%) |
| Barrington, IL | 13.1 mi | $2,640 | +$687 (+35%) |
| Batavia, IL | 13.2 mi | $1,660 | $-293 (-15%) |
| Crystal Lake, IL | 13.9 mi | $1,790 | $-163 (-8%) |
| Carol Stream, IL | 15.2 mi | $1,880 | $-73 (-4%) |
| North Aurora, IL | 15.5 mi | $1,980 | +$27 (+1%) |
2-Bedroom rent in Elgin — common questions
How much is a 2-bedroom apartment in Elgin?
As of August 2026, the median 2-bedroom apartment rent in Elgin, Illinois is $1,953 per month. This is +1% higher than the citywide median of $1,925.
What income do you need to afford a 2-bedroom in Elgin?
Using the standard 30% rent-to-income rule, you would need an annual income of about $78,120 ($6,510/month gross), which works out to roughly $37.56/hour at a full-time job.
Is Elgin expensive for a 2-bedroom compared to the rest of the US?
Elgin's 2-bedroom median of $1,953 is +18% above the national 2-bedroom median of $1,655. It ranks in the 66th percentile of US cities tracked.
How does Elgin rank for 2-bedroom rent in Illinois?
Among the 142 cities in Illinois with 2-bedroom data, Elgin ranks #98 from cheapest to most expensive.
Are there cheaper 2-bedroom options near Elgin?
Yes — nearby cities with cheaper 2-bedroom rents include West Dundee ($1,750), Carpentersville ($1,850), Batavia ($1,660).