Studio Apartment Rent in Elgin, IL
Median asking rent for a studio apartment in Elgin, Illinois as of July 2026. That's +15% lower than the citywide median of $1,909 and +26% above the national studio median of $1,290.
Income needed for a studio 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 studio at the current median rent.
Rent by apartment size in Elgin
Compare Elgin'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? 3 of these cities have cheaper studio rents than Elgin.
| City | Distance | Studio rent | vs Elgin |
|---|---|---|---|
| West Dundee, IL | 5.2 mi | $1,450 | $-170 (-10%) |
| Saint Charles, IL | 7.1 mi | $1,750 | +$130 (+8%) |
| Bartlett, IL | 8.5 mi | $1,940 | +$320 (+20%) |
| Streamwood, IL | 9.6 mi | $1,970 | +$350 (+22%) |
| Geneva, IL | 10.7 mi | $1,900 | +$280 (+17%) |
| Lake in the Hills, IL | 11.9 mi | $1,760 | +$140 (+9%) |
| Barrington, IL | 13.1 mi | $2,190 | +$570 (+35%) |
| Crystal Lake, IL | 13.9 mi | $1,480 | $-140 (-9%) |
| Carol Stream, IL | 15.2 mi | $1,560 | $-60 (-4%) |
| North Aurora, IL | 15.5 mi | $1,640 | +$20 (+1%) |
| Roselle, IL | 16.1 mi | $1,700 | +$80 (+5%) |
| Schaumburg, IL | 16.4 mi | $1,817 | +$197 (+12%) |
Studio rent in Elgin — common questions
How much is a studio apartment in Elgin?
As of July 2026, the median studio apartment rent in Elgin, Illinois is $1,620 per month. This is +15% below the citywide median of $1,909.
What income do you need to afford a studio in Elgin?
Using the standard 30% rent-to-income rule, you would need an annual income of about $64,800 ($5,400/month gross), which works out to roughly $31.15/hour at a full-time job.
Is Elgin expensive for a studio compared to the rest of the US?
Elgin's studio median of $1,620 is +26% above the national studio median of $1,290. It ranks in the 72th percentile of US cities tracked.
How does Elgin rank for studio rent in Illinois?
Among the 140 cities in Illinois with studio data, Elgin ranks #93 from cheapest to most expensive.
Are there cheaper studio options near Elgin?
Yes — nearby cities with cheaper studio rents include West Dundee ($1,450), Crystal Lake ($1,480), Carol Stream ($1,560).