How much does it cost to rent in Lake Bluff, IL?

As of July 2026, the median monthly rent in Lake Bluff, IL is $2,068. This figure is based on aggregated data from public sources and community-submitted rents.

Is Lake Bluff cheaper than other Illinois cities?

Lake Bluff falls in the middle range for Illinois, ranking #59 out of 142 cities at $2,068/mo.

When was Lake Bluff rent data last updated?

Lake Bluff 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

Lake Bluff

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

Pop. 6,041·59th most expensive in Illinois·Rental market data updated monthly for Lake Bluff, IL

Median rent (all units)

$2,068/mo

Year-over-Year

Stable

Month-over-Month

+5.2%

vs US Median

+$103

Rising (Monthly)

Be the first to discuss Lake Bluff rents ↓

Most AffordableMost Expensive

Lake Bluff · $2,068

More expensive than 62% of US cities · National median $1,965/mo

Affordability

12% of income

VERY AFFORDABLE

0%30% benchmark60%+

At $2,068/mo, rent takes about 12% of the local median household income, comfortably within the 30% benchmark.

Income to afford

$83,000/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

Research median

$2,100/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

$24,816/yr

At $2,068/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, +5.2% 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 $2,068/mo, how Lake Bluff rent compares to typical pay (30% rule).

Registered Nurse

Avg $96,370/yr · Rent = 25.8% income

affordable

Elementary School Teacher

Avg $68,422/yr · Rent = 36.3% income

stretched

Police Officer

Avg $78,815/yr · Rent = 31.5% income

stretched

Software Developer

Avg $140,872/yr · Rent = 17.6% income

very comfortable

Lawyer

Avg $179,999/yr · Rent = 13.8% income

very comfortable

Firefighter

Avg $64,066/yr · Rent = 38.7% income

stretched

Truck Driver

Avg $57,844/yr · Rent = 42.9% income

rent-burdened

Electrician

Avg $71,298/yr · Rent = 34.8% income

stretched

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: July 20, 2026

The median rent in Lake Bluff is $2,068/mo as of July 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.

FAQ

Frequently asked questions

Is Lake Bluff an affordable city for renters?

Lake Bluff is considered very affordable for renters. At $2,068/mo, rent takes approximately 12% 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 $83,000/year (~$40/hour full-time) to afford the median rent of $2,068/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 July 2026.

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

Lake Bluff is middle-of-the-pack for Illinois for rent, ranking #59 out of 142 tracked cities at $2,068/mo.

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

Waukegan is nearby and more affordable at $1,648/mo, which is $420 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 $2,068/mo is $103 (5%) above the US national median of $1,965/mo. Within Illinois, it ranks #59 out of 142 tracked cities.

Income Affordability

12%

VERY AFFORDABLE

At $2,068/mo, rent takes ~12% of Lake Bluff's median household income ($204,000/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%.

Lake Bluff 12%Benchmark 30%

State income tax4.95%

Run the Lake Bluff affordability calculator →

Nearby cities