1-Bedroom Apartment Rent in Lake Forest, IL
Median asking rent for a 1-bedroom apartment in Lake Forest, Illinois as of July 2026. That's +55% lower than the citywide median of $5,171 and +68% above the national 1-bedroom median of $1,395.
Income needed for a 1-bedroom in Lake Forest
Using the standard 30% rent-to-income guideline (the threshold above which households are considered rent-burdened), here's what you need to earn to comfortably afford a 1-bedroom at the current median rent.
Rent by apartment size in Lake Forest
Compare Lake Forest's median rent across every apartment size.
Cheapest cities for a 1-bedroom in Illinois
| # | City | 1-Bedroom rent |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Rantoul | $646 |
| 2 | Round Lake Beach | $650 |
| 3 | Charleston | $720 |
| 4 | Pekin | $720 |
| 5 | Quincy | $730 |
| 6 | Macomb | $740 |
| 7 | Danville | $770 |
| 8 | Dixon | $770 |
| 9 | Marion | $780 |
| 10 | Normal | $790 |
| 11 | Carbondale | $800 |
| 12 | Decatur | $800 |
| 13 | Rock Island | $800 |
| 14 | Peoria | $813 |
| 15 | Moline | $820 |
Most expensive cities for a 1-bedroom in Illinois
| # | City | 1-Bedroom rent |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Morton Grove | $2,340 |
| 2 | Lake Forest (this page) | $2,340 |
| 3 | Deerfield | $2,340 |
| 4 | Barrington | $2,340 |
| 5 | Wilmette | $2,240 |
| 6 | Buffalo Grove | $2,240 |
| 7 | Highland Park | $2,210 |
| 8 | Plainfield | $2,155 |
| 9 | Naperville | $2,113 |
| 10 | Vernon Hills | $2,110 |
| 11 | Streamwood | $2,110 |
| 12 | Northbrook | $2,100 |
| 13 | Bartlett | $2,070 |
| 14 | Bolingbrook | $2,060 |
| 15 | Romeoville | $2,050 |
Nearby cities — 1-bedroom rent
Considering nearby alternatives? 5 of these cities have cheaper 1-bedroom rents than Lake Forest.
| City | Distance | 1-Bedroom rent | vs Lake Forest |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lake Bluff, IL | 3.3 mi | $1,860 | $-480 (-21%) |
| Deerfield, IL | 4.4 mi | $2,340 | — |
| Highland Park, IL | 5.3 mi | $2,210 | $-130 (-6%) |
| Vernon Hills, IL | 6.5 mi | $2,110 | $-230 (-10%) |
| Libertyville, IL | 7.2 mi | $1,830 | $-510 (-22%) |
| Northbrook, IL | 7.7 mi | $2,100 | $-240 (-10%) |
| Buffalo Grove, IL | 8.3 mi | $2,240 | $-100 (-4%) |
| Wheeling, IL | 8.3 mi | $1,680 | $-660 (-28%) |
| Waukegan, IL | 9.8 mi | $1,390 | $-950 (-41%) |
| Gurnee, IL | 10.8 mi | $1,740 | $-600 (-26%) |
| Glenview, IL | 11.5 mi | $1,840 | $-500 (-21%) |
| Mundelein, IL | 12.3 mi | $1,770 | $-570 (-24%) |
1-Bedroom rent in Lake Forest — common questions
How much is a 1-bedroom apartment in Lake Forest?
As of July 2026, the median 1-bedroom apartment rent in Lake Forest, Illinois is $2,340 per month. This is +55% below the citywide median of $5,171.
What income do you need to afford a 1-bedroom in Lake Forest?
Using the standard 30% rent-to-income rule, you would need an annual income of about $93,600 ($7,800/month gross), which works out to roughly $45.00/hour at a full-time job.
Is Lake Forest expensive for a 1-bedroom compared to the rest of the US?
Lake Forest's 1-bedroom median of $2,340 is +68% above the national 1-bedroom median of $1,395. It ranks in the 92th percentile of US cities tracked.
How does Lake Forest rank for 1-bedroom rent in Illinois?
Among the 141 cities in Illinois with 1-bedroom data, Lake Forest ranks #140 from cheapest to most expensive.
Are there cheaper 1-bedroom options near Lake Forest?
Yes — nearby cities with cheaper 1-bedroom rents include Lake Bluff ($1,860), Highland Park ($2,210), Vernon Hills ($2,110).