City Report · IL

Elmwood Park

Pop. 23,868·77th most expensive in Illinois·Rental market data updated monthly for Elmwood Park, IL
Median rent (all units)
$1,811/mo
Year-over-Year
Stable
Month-over-Month
+0.7%
vs US Median
-$121
Reported rents
Rising (Monthly)
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Most AffordableMost Expensive
Elmwood Park · $1,811
More affordable than 52% of US cities · National median $1,932/mo
Affordability
24% of income
VERY AFFORDABLE
0%30% benchmark60%+

At $1,811/mo, rent takes about 24% of the local median household income, comfortably within the 30% benchmark.

Income to afford
$72,000/yr
Local median income
$91,955/yr
Based on the 30%-of-income rule using Elmwood Park's median rent and household income. See the full affordability breakdown →
Medians by bedroom

Rent by unit size

Studio
$1,380
1 BR
$1,480
2 BR
$1,670
3 BR
$2,150
4 BR+
$2,520
Fair Market Rent (HUD)
$1,670/mo

These are HUD Fair Market Rents, the payment standard for a Housing Choice Voucher (Section 8). They often differ from the $1,811 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 →

Rent trends

12-month history

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Last updated: October 17, 2026

From the history

What the numbers show

What a typical income covers

30% of the median household income ($91,955) is $2,299 a month. That covers HUD's Fair Market Rent for up to a 3-bedroom ($2,150); a 4-bedroom is $2,520.

From Zillow's monthly rent index (ZORI) for Elmwood Park. Income is the Census median household income (5-year estimates). Fair Market Rents are HUD’s, which include utilities.

Annual cost
$21,732/yr
At $1,811/mo median
Rent Market Meter
Balanced Market
Renter's MarketBalancedLandlord's Market
Rents are roughly steady, with neither renters nor landlords holding a strong edge right now.
Based on rent-price momentum (+0.0% YoY, +0.7% MoM), not inventory.
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Demographics

Who lives here

Elmwood Park, IL is majority owner-occupied, has a median income above the national average, 32.6% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

Population
23,868
Median income
$91,955
Median age
41.5
Renters
34.8%
Age distribution
20.3%
22.1%
27.2%
13.3%
17%
Under 1820.3%
18–3422.1%
35–5427.2%
55–6413.3%
65+17%
Gender
48.5%
51.5%
Male48.5%
Female51.5%
Race & ethnicity
61.9%
39.7%
White61.9%
Black1.8%
Hispanic39.7%
Asian2.8%
Education (25+)
24%
32.1%
32.6%
No HS diploma11.3%
HS diploma24%
Some college32.1%
Bachelor's+32.6%
Housing tenure
65.2%
34.8%
Owner65.2%
Renter34.8%

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

2021 vs 2026

How Elmwood Park, IL has changed in 5 years

Income
$68,833 → $91,955
up 33.6%
Population
24,517 → 23,868
down 2.6%
Renter share
37.7% → 34.8%
-2.9 pts
Bachelor's+
29% → 32.6%
+3.6 pts
Median age
39.9 → 41.5
+1.6 yrs

On the earnings side, the typical household in Elmwood Park, IL now reports about $91,955, up from $68,833 in 2021. Census counts show Elmwood Park, IL losing about 649 residents over the five-year window, down 2.6% on net. The renter share has eased from 37.7% to 34.8%, with owner-occupied housing accounting for the remainder. Bachelor's-degree-or-higher attainment moved from 29% to 32.6% across the same window.

Community

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View Elmwood Park rent history (2015–2026) →
Salary vs rent

Can you afford rent in Elmwood Park on your salary?

At $1,811/mo, how Elmwood Park rent compares to typical pay (30% rule).

By apartment size

Elmwood Park rent by bedroom count

Median rent for each apartment size in Elmwood Park. Click any size for full breakdown.

Local insights

Tips for renters in Elmwood Park

About renting in Elmwood Park, IL

Last updated: October 17, 2026

The median rent in Elmwood Park is $1,811/mo as of October 2026. A studio apartment averages $1,380/mo while a 2-bedroom runs $1,670/mo. One-bedroom apartments average $1,480/mo and 3-bedroom units go for $2,150/mo.

At 24% of local median household income ($91,955/yr), Elmwood Park ranks as affordable compared to the national benchmark of 30%. Rent prices have stayed steady over the past year.

FAQ

Frequently asked questions

How much income do you need to rent in Elmwood Park?

To keep rent at or below 30% of gross income, you would need to earn at least $72,000/year (about $35/hour full-time) to afford the median rent of $1,811/mo in Elmwood Park. The local median household income is $91,955/yr, so the typical household meets that bar.

Is rent going up or down in Elmwood Park?

Rent in Elmwood Park has been roughly flat over the past year, a 0.0% change.

How does Elmwood Park rent compare to other cities in Illinois?

Elmwood Park is in the middle among Illinois cities for rent, ranking #77 of 137 tracked cities at $1,811/mo.

Which nearby cities are cheaper to rent in than Elmwood Park?

Nearby cities with lower median rent than Elmwood Park ($1,811/mo) include Broadview ($1,325/mo), Maywood ($1,419/mo), and Forest Park ($1,527/mo).
Income Affordability
24%
VERY AFFORDABLE

At $1,811/mo, rent takes ~24% of Elmwood Park's median household income ($91,955/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%.

Elmwood Park 24%Benchmark 30%
State income tax4.95%
Run the Elmwood Park affordability calculator →
Lowest-rent ZIP codes in Elmwood Park
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Neighborhoods

Estimated from ZIP-level data

Schools nearby

Public schools near Elmwood Park, IL

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