How much does it cost to rent in Forest Park, IL?

As of July 2026, the median monthly rent in Forest Park, IL is $1,620. This figure is based on aggregated data from public sources and community-submitted rents.

Is Forest Park cheaper than other Illinois cities?

Forest Park falls in the middle range for Illinois, ranking #89 out of 142 cities at $1,620/mo.

When was Forest Park rent data last updated?

Forest Park rent data reflects July 2026 and was last refreshed on July 20, 2026. RentDataNow refreshes all data monthly using public and private datasets.

City Report · IL

Forest Park

Name: Average Rent Prices in Forest Park, IL
Creator: RentDataNow
License: https://rentdatanow.com/terms-of-service

Pop. 13,943·89th most expensive in Illinois·Rental market data updated monthly for Forest Park, IL

Median rent (all units)

$1,620/mo

Year-over-Year

-0.3%

Month-over-Month

+6.0%

vs US Median

-$345

Rising (Monthly)

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Most AffordableMost Expensive

Forest Park · $1,620

More affordable than 68% of US cities · National median $1,965/mo

Rent Reality Score

62/100

Good value

OverheatedFairGreat value

Rents are 6% below what Forest Park's 10-year trend predicts — a better deal than its own history suggests.

Actual rent

$1,620/mo

Expected by trend

$1,719/mo

The Rent Reality Score compares today's median rent to where Forest Park's own long-run trajectory projects it should be. See the full rankings →

Medians by bedroom

Rent by unit size

Studio

$1,370

1 BR

$1,460

2 BR

$1,650

3 BR

$2,120

4 BR+

$2,490

Research median

$1,650/mo

Bedroom estimates are gross rents that include essential utilities (electricity, water, gas, sewer, trash).

Rent trends

12-month history

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Last updated: July 20, 2026

Annual cost

$19,440/yr

At $1,620/mo median

Rent Market Meter

Strong Landlord's Market

Renter's MarketBalancedLandlord's Market

Rents are up 0.3% year-over-year. Expect competition, and move quickly to lock in terms.

Based on rent-price momentum (-0.3% YoY, +6.0% MoM), not inventory.

Rent check

Is your rent fair?

Compare your rent to the local median.

Demographics

Who lives here

Forest Park, IL is roughly split between renters and owners, 51.5% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

Population

13,943

Median income

$77,221

Median age

Renters

47.2%

Age distribution

16.3%

21.5%

29.6%

13.6%

19%

Under 1816.3%

18–3421.5%

35–5429.6%

55–6413.6%

65+19%

Gender

49.8%

50.2%

Male49.8%

Female50.2%

Race & ethnicity

51.8%

24%

12.4%

White51.8%

Black24%

Hispanic12.4%

Asian8.8%

Other2.9%

Education (25+)

15.5%

27.5%

51.5%

No HS diploma5.4%

HS diploma15.5%

Some college27.5%

Bachelor's+51.5%

Housing tenure

52.8%

47.2%

Owner52.8%

Renter47.2%

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

2023 vs 2026

How Forest Park, IL has changed in 5 years

Rent

$1,295 → $1,620

up 25.1%

Income

$72,827 → $77,221

up 6.0%

Population

14,297 → 13,943

down 2.5%

Renter share

49.4% → 47.2%

-2.2 pts

Bachelor's+

48.3% → 51.5%

+3.2 pts

Median age

42.4 → 40

-2.4 yrs

Since 2023, the typical rent in Forest Park, IL has climbed from $1,295 to $1,620, a 25.1% change over five years. Census figures show median household income at $77,221 today, compared with $72,827 five years earlier. That spread, with rent up faster than earnings, points to a tougher affordability environment than five years ago. The population has contracted by 2.5% since 2021, moving from about 14,297 residents to roughly 13,943. Renters now make up 47.2% of households, compared with 49.4% five years ago. College-educated residents now make up 51.5% of adults here, versus 48.3% in 2021. The combined trend lines point to a market that has changed measurably from where it stood in early 2023.

Community

Discussions about Forest Park

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View Forest Park rent history (2015–2026) →

Salary vs rent

Can you afford rent in Forest Park on your salary?

At $1,620/mo, how Forest Park rent compares to typical pay (30% rule).

Registered Nurse

Avg $96,370/yr · Rent = 20.2% income

affordable

Elementary School Teacher

Avg $68,422/yr · Rent = 28.4% income

affordable

Police Officer

Avg $78,815/yr · Rent = 24.7% income

affordable

Software Developer

Avg $140,872/yr · Rent = 13.8% income

very comfortable

Lawyer

Avg $179,999/yr · Rent = 10.8% income

very comfortable

Firefighter

Avg $64,066/yr · Rent = 30.3% income

stretched

Truck Driver

Avg $57,844/yr · Rent = 33.6% income

stretched

Electrician

Avg $71,298/yr · Rent = 27.3% income

affordable

By apartment size

Forest Park rent by bedroom count

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

Local insights

Tips for renters in Forest Park

About renting in Forest Park, IL

Last updated: July 20, 2026

The median rent in Forest Park is $1,620/mo as of July 2026. A studio apartment averages $1,370/mo while a 2-bedroom runs $1,650/mo. One-bedroom apartments average $1,460/mo and 3-bedroom units go for $2,120/mo.

At 25% of local median household income ($77,221/yr), Forest Park ranks as affordable compared to the national benchmark of 30%. Rents have decreased 0.3% over the past year.

FAQ

Frequently asked questions

Is Forest Park an affordable city for renters?

Forest Park is considered affordable for renters. At $1,620/mo, rent takes approximately 25% of the local median household income ($77,221/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%. Forest Park falls comfortably within that range.

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

To keep rent at or below 30% of gross income, you would need to earn at least $65,000/year (~$31/hour full-time) to afford the median rent of $1,620/mo in Forest Park. The local median household income is $77,221/yr, meaning the typical Forest Park household meets that threshold.

Is rent going up or down in Forest Park?

Rent in Forest Park has been relatively stable over the past year, with a 0.3% change year over year as of July 2026.

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

Forest Park is middle-of-the-pack for Illinois for rent, ranking #89 out of 142 tracked cities at $1,620/mo.

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

Several nearby cities have lower median rents than Forest Park ($1,620/mo): Broadview ($1,343/mo), Maywood ($1,424/mo), Berwyn ($1,472/mo).

What percentage of Forest Park residents rent vs. own?

According to Census data, approximately 47.2% of Forest Park households are renters, while 52.8% are owner-occupied. Forest Park leans toward homeownership, which can mean a smaller rental inventory.

How does Forest Park rent compare to the national average?

Forest Park's median rent of $1,620/mo is $345 (18%) below the US national median of $1,965/mo. Within Illinois, it ranks #89 out of 142 tracked cities.

Income Affordability

25%

AFFORDABLE

At $1,620/mo, rent takes ~25% of Forest Park's median household income ($77,221/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%.

Forest Park 25%Benchmark 30%

State income tax4.95%

Run the Forest Park affordability calculator →

Nearby cities