At $2,058/mo, rent takes about 12% of the local median household income, comfortably within the 30% benchmark.
Rent by unit size
These are HUD Fair Market Rents, the payment standard for a Housing Choice Voucher (Section 8). They often differ from the $2,058 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 →
12-month history
Last updated: October 17, 2026
What the numbers show
30% of the median household income ($204,000) is $5,100 a month. That covers HUD's Fair Market Rent for up to a 4-bedroom ($3,170).
From Zillow's monthly rent index (ZORI) for Lake Bluff. Income is the Census median household income (5-year estimates). Fair Market Rents are HUD’s, which include utilities.
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Who lives here
Lake Bluff, IL is majority owner-occupied, has a large retiree population, has a median income above the national average, 81.6% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau · ACS 2024 5-Year Estimates
How Lake Bluff, IL has changed in 5 years
Local incomes tracked alongside that move, going from a median of $173,667 in 2021 to $204,000 more recently. The population has grown by 2.8% since 2021, moving from about 5,878 residents to roughly 6,041. College-educated residents now make up 81.6% of adults here, versus 78.6% in 2021.
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Can you afford rent in Lake Bluff on your salary?
At $2,058/mo, how Lake Bluff rent compares to typical pay (30% rule).
Lake Bluff rent by bedroom count
Median rent for each apartment size in Lake Bluff. Click any size for full breakdown.
Tips for renters in Lake Bluff
Last updated: October 17, 2026
The median rent in Lake Bluff is $2,058/mo as of October 2026. A studio apartment averages $1,740/mo while a 2-bedroom runs $2,100/mo. One-bedroom apartments average $1,860/mo and 3-bedroom units go for $2,700/mo.
At 12% of local median household income ($204,000/yr), Lake Bluff ranks as affordable compared to the national benchmark of 30%. Rent prices have stayed steady over the past year.
Frequently asked questions
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Is rent going up or down in Lake Bluff?
How does Lake Bluff rent compare to other cities in Illinois?
Which nearby cities are cheaper to rent in than Lake Bluff?
At $2,058/mo, rent takes ~12% of Lake Bluff's median household income ($204,000/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%.
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Estimated from ZIP-level data
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