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City Report · IL

Geneva

Pop. 21,258·45th most expensive in Illinois·Geneva rents are up 8.2% over the past year
Median rent (all units)
$2,221/mo
Year-over-Year
+8.2%
Month-over-Month
+5.7%
vs US Median
+$256
Rising (Monthly)
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Most AffordableMost Expensive
Geneva · $2,221
More expensive than 70% of US cities · National median $1,965/mo
Rent Reality Score
45/100
Fairly priced
OverheatedFairGreat value

Rents are 3% above what Geneva's 10-year trend predicts — running hotter than its own history.

Actual rent
$2,221/mo
Expected by trend
$2,164/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
Research median
$2,300/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
$26,652/yr
At $2,221/mo median
Rent Market Meter
Strong Landlord's Market
Renter's MarketBalancedLandlord's Market
Rents are up 8.2% year-over-year. Expect competition, and move quickly to lock in terms.
Based on rent-price momentum (+8.2% YoY, +5.7% MoM), not inventory.
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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 → $2,221
up 30.3%
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 30.3% since 2022, going from about $1,704 per month to roughly $2,221 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 16.4 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

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View Geneva rent history (2015–2026) →
Salary vs rent

Can you afford rent in Geneva on your salary?

At $2,221/mo, how Geneva rent compares to typical pay (30% rule).

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: July 20, 2026

The median rent in Geneva is $2,221/mo as of July 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 8.2% over the past year.

FAQ

Frequently asked questions

Is Geneva an affordable city for renters?

Geneva is considered very affordable for renters. At $2,221/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 $89,000/year (~$43/hour full-time) to afford the median rent of $2,221/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 8.2% over the past year as of July 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 #45 out of 142 tracked cities at $2,221/mo.

Which nearby cities are cheaper to rent in than Geneva?

Several nearby cities have lower median rents than Geneva ($2,221/mo): Saint Charles ($1,884/mo), Batavia ($1,900/mo), Elgin ($1,909/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 $2,221/mo is $256 (13%) above the US national median of $1,965/mo. Within Illinois, it ranks #45 out of 142 tracked cities.
Income Affordability
18%
VERY AFFORDABLE

At $2,221/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 →
Lowest-rent ZIP codes in Geneva
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Neighborhoods

Estimated from ZIP-level data

Schools nearby

Public schools near Geneva, IL

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