How much does it cost to rent in Geneva, IL?

As of August 2026, the median monthly rent in Geneva, IL is $2,150. This figure is based on aggregated data from public sources and community-submitted rents.

Is Geneva cheaper than other Illinois cities?

Geneva is one of the pricier cities in Illinois, ranking #47 out of 142 cities tracked at $2,150/mo.

When was Geneva rent data last updated?

Geneva rent data reflects August 2026 and was last refreshed on August 17, 2026. RentDataNow refreshes all data monthly using public and private datasets.

Is Geneva a renter's market or a landlord's market?

Based on RentDataNow's Rent Market Meter, Geneva is currently a renter's market. Rents are softening (up only 3.7% YoY), so renters have negotiating leverage. The meter is derived from rent-price momentum (year-over-year and month-over-month change), not inventory levels.

What is the Fair Market Rent in Geneva, IL?

HUD sets the Fair Market Rent for a two-bedroom home in Geneva, IL at $2,300 per month, which is 7% above the $2,150 market median. Fair Market Rent is the Housing Choice Voucher (Section 8) payment standard. It is a 40th-percentile gross rent that includes essential utilities such as electricity, water, gas, sewer, and trash, and HUD updates it once a year, so it measures something different from current market asking rent.

City Report · IL

Geneva

Name: Average Rent Prices in Geneva, IL
Creator: RentDataNow
License: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/

Pop. 21,258·47th most expensive in Illinois·Rental market data updated monthly for Geneva, IL

Median rent (all units)

$2,150/mo

Year-over-Year

+3.7%

Month-over-Month

-3.2%

vs US Median

+$188

Falling (Monthly)

Be the first to discuss Geneva rents ↓

Most AffordableMost Expensive

Geneva · $2,150

More expensive than 67% of US cities · National median $1,962/mo

Rent Reality Score

53/100

Fairly priced

OverheatedFairGreat value

Rents are right about where Geneva's 10-year trend predicts.

Actual rent

$2,150/mo

Expected by trend

$2,178/mo

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

Medians by bedroom

Rent by unit size

Studio

$1,900

1 BR

$2,040

2 BR

$2,300

3 BR

$2,950

4 BR+

$3,470

Fair Market Rent (HUD)

$2,300/mo

These are HUD Fair Market Rents, the payment standard for a Housing Choice Voucher (Section 8). They often differ from the $2,150 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

Loading…

Last updated: August 17, 2026

Annual cost

$25,800/yr

At $2,150/mo median

Rent Market Meter

Renter's Market

Renter's MarketBalancedLandlord's Market

Rents are softening (up only 3.7% YoY), so renters have negotiating leverage.

Based on rent-price momentum (+3.7% YoY, -3.2% MoM), not inventory.

Rent check

Is your rent fair?

Compare your rent to the local median.

Demographics

Who lives here

Geneva, IL is majority owner-occupied, has a median income above the national average, 63.8% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

Population

21,258

Median income

$144,341

Median age

43.2

Renters

14.9%

Age distribution

22.8%

16.8%

25.1%

16.5%

18.8%

Under 1822.8%

18–3416.8%

35–5425.1%

55–6416.5%

65+18.8%

Gender

48.1%

51.9%

Male48.1%

Female51.9%

Race & ethnicity

84.6%

White84.6%

Black1.5%

Hispanic7.5%

Asian2.5%

Other3.9%

Education (25+)

12.2%

21.4%

63.8%

No HS diploma2.6%

HS diploma12.2%

Some college21.4%

Bachelor's+63.8%

Housing tenure

85.1%

14.9%

Owner85.1%

Renter14.9%

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

2022 vs 2026

How Geneva, IL has changed in 5 years

Rent

$1,704 → $2,150

up 26.2%

Income

$126,759 → $144,341

up 13.9%

Population

21,472 → 21,258

down 1.0%

Renter share

15.4% → 14.9%

-0.5 pts

Bachelor's+

61.3% → 63.8%

+2.5 pts

Median age

40.7 → 43.2

+2.5 yrs

Rent in Geneva, IL has increased 26.2% since 2022, going from about $1,704 per month to roughly $2,150 today. On the earnings side, the typical household in Geneva, IL now reports about $144,341, up from $126,759 in 2021. Rent outpaced income growth by roughly 12.3 percentage points, which means renters are spending a larger slice of each paycheck on housing than they did in 2021. Headcount in the area went from 21,472 to 21,258 between 2021 and 2024, a 1.0% change. Educational attainment has shifted as well, with the share of adults holding a bachelor's degree or higher climbed from 61.3% to 63.8%. For context, the 2022 to 2026 window covers an unusually volatile run for US rents nationally, and Geneva, IL reflects that arc in its own way.

Community

Discussions about Geneva

No discussions yet. Start the conversation.

View Geneva rent history (2015–2026) →

Salary vs rent

Can you afford rent in Geneva on your salary?

At $2,150/mo, how Geneva rent compares to typical pay (30% rule).

Registered Nurse

Avg $96,370/yr · Rent = 26.8% income

affordable

Elementary School Teacher

Avg $68,422/yr · Rent = 37.7% income

stretched

Police Officer

Avg $78,815/yr · Rent = 32.7% income

stretched

Software Developer

Avg $140,872/yr · Rent = 18.3% income

very comfortable

Lawyer

Avg $179,999/yr · Rent = 14.3% income

very comfortable

Firefighter

Avg $64,066/yr · Rent = 40.3% income

rent-burdened

Truck Driver

Avg $57,844/yr · Rent = 44.6% income

rent-burdened

Electrician

Avg $71,298/yr · Rent = 36.2% income

stretched

By apartment size

Geneva rent by bedroom count

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

Local insights

Tips for renters in Geneva

About renting in Geneva, IL

Last updated: August 17, 2026

The median rent in Geneva is $2,150/mo as of August 2026. A studio apartment averages $1,900/mo while a 2-bedroom runs $2,300/mo. One-bedroom apartments average $2,040/mo and 3-bedroom units go for $2,950/mo.

At 18% of local median household income ($144,341/yr), Geneva ranks as affordable compared to the national benchmark of 30%. Rents have increased 3.7% over the past year.

FAQ

Frequently asked questions

Is Geneva an affordable city for renters?

Geneva is considered very affordable for renters. At $2,150/mo, rent takes approximately 18% of the local median household income ($144,341/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%. Geneva falls comfortably within that range.

How much income do you need to rent in Geneva?

To keep rent at or below 30% of gross income, you would need to earn at least $86,000/year (~$41/hour full-time) to afford the median rent of $2,150/mo in Geneva. The local median household income is $144,341/yr, meaning the typical Geneva household meets that threshold.

Is rent going up or down in Geneva?

Rent in Geneva has increased 3.7% over the past year as of August 2026, putting upward pressure on renter budgets.

How does Geneva rent compare to other cities in Illinois?

Geneva is one of the pricier cities in Illinois for rent, ranking #47 out of 142 tracked cities at $2,150/mo.

Which nearby cities are cheaper to rent in than Geneva?

Several nearby cities have lower median rents than Geneva ($2,150/mo): Batavia ($1,774/mo), Elgin ($1,925/mo), Saint Charles ($1,928/mo).

What percentage of Geneva residents rent vs. own?

According to Census data, approximately 14.9% of Geneva households are renters, while 85.1% are owner-occupied. Geneva leans toward homeownership, which can mean a smaller rental inventory.

How does Geneva rent compare to the national average?

Geneva's median rent of $2,150/mo is $188 (10%) above the US national median of $1,962/mo. Within Illinois, it ranks #47 out of 142 tracked cities.

Income Affordability

18%

VERY AFFORDABLE

At $2,150/mo, rent takes ~18% of Geneva's median household income ($144,341/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%.

Geneva 18%Benchmark 30%

State income tax4.95%

Run the Geneva affordability calculator →

Nearby cities