RentDataNowRentDataNow
City Report · IL

Lake Bluff

Pop. 6,041·48th most expensive in Illinois·Rental market data updated monthly for Lake Bluff, IL
Median rent (all units)
$2,133/mo
Year-over-Year
Stable
Month-over-Month
+3.1%
vs US Median
+$171
Rising (Monthly)
Be the first to discuss Lake Bluff rents ↓
Most AffordableMost Expensive
Lake Bluff · $2,133
More expensive than 66% of US cities · National median $1,962/mo
Affordability
13% of income
VERY AFFORDABLE
0%30% benchmark60%+

At $2,133/mo, rent takes about 13% of the local median household income, comfortably within the 30% benchmark.

Income to afford
$85,000/yr
Local median income
$204,000/yr
Based on the 30%-of-income rule using Lake Bluff's median rent and household income. See the full affordability breakdown →
Medians by bedroom

Rent by unit size

Studio
$1,740
1 BR
$1,860
2 BR
$2,100
3 BR
$2,700
4 BR+
$3,170
Fair Market Rent (HUD)
$2,100/mo

These are HUD Fair Market Rents, the payment standard for a Housing Choice Voucher (Section 8). They often differ from the $2,133 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
$25,596/yr
At $2,133/mo median
Rent Market Meter
Strong Landlord's Market
Renter's MarketBalancedLandlord's Market
Rents are up 0.0% year-over-year. Expect competition, and move quickly to lock in terms.
Based on rent-price momentum (+0.0% YoY, +3.1% MoM), not inventory.
Rent check

Is your rent fair?

Compare your rent to the local median.

Demographics

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.

Population
6,041
Median income
$204,000
Median age
46.3
Renters
7.9%
Age distribution
24%
25.4%
17.2%
21.6%
Under 1824%
18–3411.8%
35–5425.4%
55–6417.2%
65+21.6%
Gender
51.2%
48.8%
Male51.2%
Female48.8%
Race & ethnicity
83.8%
White83.8%
Hispanic6.2%
Asian6.5%
Other3.6%
Education (25+)
81.6%
HS diploma6.7%
Some college11.3%
Bachelor's+81.6%
Housing tenure
92.1%
Owner92.1%
Renter7.9%

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

2021 vs 2026

How Lake Bluff, IL has changed in 5 years

Income
$173,667 → $204,000
up 17.5%
Population
5,878 → 6,041
up 2.8%
Renter share
9.2% → 7.9%
-1.3 pts
Bachelor's+
78.6% → 81.6%
+3.0 pts

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.

Community

Discussions about Lake Bluff

No discussions yet. Start the conversation.

View Lake Bluff rent history (2015–2026) →
Salary vs rent

Can you afford rent in Lake Bluff on your salary?

At $2,133/mo, how Lake Bluff rent compares to typical pay (30% rule).

By apartment size

Lake Bluff rent by bedroom count

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

Local insights

Tips for renters in Lake Bluff

About renting in Lake Bluff, IL

Last updated: August 17, 2026

The median rent in Lake Bluff is $2,133/mo as of August 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 13% 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.

FAQ

Frequently asked questions

Is Lake Bluff an affordable city for renters?

Lake Bluff is considered very affordable for renters. At $2,133/mo, rent takes approximately 13% of the local median household income ($204,000/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%. Lake Bluff falls comfortably within that range.

How much income do you need to rent in Lake Bluff?

To keep rent at or below 30% of gross income, you would need to earn at least $85,000/year (~$41/hour full-time) to afford the median rent of $2,133/mo in Lake Bluff. The local median household income is $204,000/yr, meaning the typical Lake Bluff household meets that threshold.

Is rent going up or down in Lake Bluff?

Rent in Lake Bluff has been relatively stable over the past year, with a 0.0% change year over year as of August 2026.

How does Lake Bluff rent compare to other cities in Illinois?

Lake Bluff is one of the pricier cities in Illinois for rent, ranking #48 out of 142 tracked cities at $2,133/mo.

Which nearby cities are cheaper to rent in than Lake Bluff?

Waukegan is nearby and more affordable at $1,678/mo, which is $455 less than Lake Bluff.

What percentage of Lake Bluff residents rent vs. own?

According to Census data, approximately 7.9% of Lake Bluff households are renters, while 92.1% are owner-occupied. Lake Bluff leans toward homeownership, which can mean a smaller rental inventory.

How does Lake Bluff rent compare to the national average?

Lake Bluff's median rent of $2,133/mo is $171 (9%) above the US national median of $1,962/mo. Within Illinois, it ranks #48 out of 142 tracked cities.
Income Affordability
13%
VERY AFFORDABLE

At $2,133/mo, rent takes ~13% of Lake Bluff's median household income ($204,000/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%.

Lake Bluff 13%Benchmark 30%
State income tax4.95%
Run the Lake Bluff affordability calculator →
Lowest-rent ZIP codes in Lake Bluff
Compare

How does this area stack up?

Pick another city or ZIP to compare.

Neighborhoods

Estimated from ZIP-level data

Schools nearby

Public schools near Lake Bluff, IL

Recent submissions

Be the first to submit your rent for Lake Bluff.

Recent discussions

No discussions yet.

Add RentDataNow as a preferred source on Google