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

As of July 2026, the median monthly rent in Joliet, IL is $1,614. This figure is based on aggregated data from public sources and community-submitted rents.

Is Joliet cheaper than other Illinois cities?

Joliet falls in the middle range for Illinois, ranking #90 out of 142 cities at $1,614/mo.

When was Joliet rent data last updated?

Joliet 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

Joliet

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

Pop. 150,445·90th most expensive in Illinois·Joliet rents are up 8.2% over the past year

Median rent (all units)

$1,614/mo

Year-over-Year

+8.2%

Month-over-Month

+0.3%

vs US Median

-$351

Stable (Monthly)

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Most AffordableMost Expensive

Joliet · $1,614

More affordable than 69% of US cities · National median $1,965/mo

Rent Reality Score

35/100

Overpriced

OverheatedFairGreat value

Rents are 8% above what Joliet's 10-year trend predicts — running hotter than its own history.

Actual rent

$1,614/mo

Expected by trend

$1,501/mo

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

Medians by bedroom

Rent by unit size

Studio

$1,330

1 BR

$1,420

2 BR

$1,600

3 BR

$2,060

4 BR+

$2,410

Research median

$1,600/mo

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

Rent trends

12-month history

Loading…

Last updated: July 20, 2026

Annual cost

$19,368/yr

At $1,614/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, +0.3% MoM), not inventory.

Rent check

Is your rent fair?

Compare your rent to the local median.

Demographics

Who lives here

Joliet, IL is majority owner-occupied, has a median income above the national average, 25.5% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

Population

150,445

Median income

$92,201

Median age

35.8

Renters

26.3%

Age distribution

24.4%

29.1%

Under 1824.4%

18–3424.4%

35–5429.1%

55–6410.6%

65+11.5%

Gender

50.4%

49.6%

Male50.4%

Female49.6%

Race & ethnicity

49.9%

16.3%

34.2%

White49.9%

Black16.3%

Hispanic34.2%

Asian2.5%

Education (25+)

14.7%

29%

30.8%

25.5%

No HS diploma14.7%

HS diploma29%

Some college30.8%

Bachelor's+25.5%

Housing tenure

73.7%

26.3%

Owner73.7%

Renter26.3%

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

2021 vs 2026

How Joliet, IL has changed in 5 years

Rent

$1,082 → $1,614

up 49.2%

Income

$77,373 → $92,201

up 19.2%

Population

150,323 → 150,445

up 0.1%

Renter share

29.5% → 26.3%

-3.2 pts

Bachelor's+

24.5% → 25.5%

+1.0 pts

Median age

33.6 → 35.8

+2.2 yrs

Five years ago, renters in Joliet, IL paid around $1,082 a month. That figure now sits near $1,614, up 49.2% from the 2021 baseline. On the earnings side, the typical household in Joliet, IL now reports about $92,201, up from $77,373 in 2021. Because rent grew faster than wages over the same span, the affordability picture has tightened relative to 2021. The renter share has eased from 29.5% to 26.3%, with owner-occupied housing accounting for the remainder. For context, the 2021 to 2026 window covers an unusually volatile run for US rents nationally, and Joliet, IL reflects that arc in its own way.

Community

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View Joliet rent history (2015–2026) →

Salary vs rent

Can you afford rent in Joliet on your salary?

At $1,614/mo, how Joliet rent compares to typical pay (30% rule).

Registered Nurse

Avg $96,370/yr · Rent = 20.1% income

affordable

Elementary School Teacher

Avg $68,422/yr · Rent = 28.3% income

affordable

Police Officer

Avg $78,815/yr · Rent = 24.6% income

affordable

Software Developer

Avg $140,872/yr · Rent = 13.7% income

very comfortable

Lawyer

Avg $179,999/yr · Rent = 10.8% income

very comfortable

Firefighter

Avg $64,066/yr · Rent = 30.2% income

stretched

Truck Driver

Avg $57,844/yr · Rent = 33.5% income

stretched

Electrician

Avg $71,298/yr · Rent = 27.2% income

affordable

By apartment size

Joliet rent by bedroom count

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

Local insights

Tips for renters in Joliet

About renting in Joliet, IL

Last updated: July 20, 2026

The median rent in Joliet is $1,614/mo as of July 2026. A studio apartment averages $1,330/mo while a 2-bedroom runs $1,600/mo. One-bedroom apartments average $1,420/mo and 3-bedroom units go for $2,060/mo.

At 21% of local median household income ($92,201/yr), Joliet ranks as affordable compared to the national benchmark of 30%. Rents have increased 8.2% over the past year.

FAQ

Frequently asked questions

Is Joliet an affordable city for renters?

Joliet is considered very affordable for renters. At $1,614/mo, rent takes approximately 21% of the local median household income ($92,201/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%. Joliet falls comfortably within that range.

How much income do you need to rent in Joliet?

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 $1,614/mo in Joliet. The local median household income is $92,201/yr, meaning the typical Joliet household meets that threshold.

Is rent going up or down in Joliet?

Rent in Joliet has increased 8.2% over the past year as of July 2026, putting upward pressure on renter budgets.

How does Joliet rent compare to other cities in Illinois?

Joliet is middle-of-the-pack for Illinois for rent, ranking #90 out of 142 tracked cities at $1,614/mo.

What percentage of Joliet residents rent vs. own?

According to Census data, approximately 26.3% of Joliet households are renters, while 73.7% are owner-occupied. Joliet leans toward homeownership, which can mean a smaller rental inventory.

How does Joliet rent compare to the national average?

Joliet's median rent of $1,614/mo is $351 (18%) below the US national median of $1,965/mo. Within Illinois, it ranks #90 out of 142 tracked cities.

Income Affordability

21%

VERY AFFORDABLE

At $1,614/mo, rent takes ~21% of Joliet's median household income ($92,201/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%.

Joliet 21%Benchmark 30%

State income tax4.95%

Run the Joliet affordability calculator →

Nearby cities