2-Bedroom Apartment Rent in Lake Forest, IL
Median asking rent for a 2-bedroom apartment in Lake Forest, Illinois as of July 2026. That's +49% lower than the citywide median of $5,171 and +60% above the national 2-bedroom median of $1,655.
Income needed for a 2-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 2-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 2-bedroom in Illinois
| # | City | 2-Bedroom rent |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Rantoul | $762 |
| 2 | Dixon | $870 |
| 3 | Pekin | $920 |
| 4 | Charleston | $930 |
| 5 | Quincy | $950 |
| 6 | Macomb | $960 |
| 7 | Rock Island | $990 |
| 8 | Decatur | $995 |
| 9 | Carbondale | $1,010 |
| 10 | Danville | $1,010 |
| 11 | Moline | $1,010 |
| 12 | Normal | $1,010 |
| 13 | Savoy | $1,010 |
| 14 | Pontoon Beach | $1,014 |
| 15 | Marion | $1,020 |
Most expensive cities for a 2-bedroom in Illinois
| # | City | 2-Bedroom rent |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Morton Grove | $2,640 |
| 2 | Lake Forest (this page) | $2,640 |
| 3 | Deerfield | $2,640 |
| 4 | Barrington | $2,640 |
| 5 | Wilmette | $2,530 |
| 6 | Buffalo Grove | $2,530 |
| 7 | Highland Park | $2,490 |
| 8 | Plainfield | $2,455 |
| 9 | Naperville | $2,388 |
| 10 | Vernon Hills | $2,380 |
| 11 | Streamwood | $2,380 |
| 12 | Northbrook | $2,370 |
| 13 | Bartlett | $2,340 |
| 14 | Bolingbrook | $2,325 |
| 15 | Romeoville | $2,310 |
Nearby cities — 2-bedroom rent
Considering nearby alternatives? 5 of these cities have cheaper 2-bedroom rents than Lake Forest.
| City | Distance | 2-Bedroom rent | vs Lake Forest |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lake Bluff, IL | 3.3 mi | $2,100 | $-540 (-20%) |
| Deerfield, IL | 4.4 mi | $2,640 | — |
| Highland Park, IL | 5.3 mi | $2,490 | $-150 (-6%) |
| Vernon Hills, IL | 6.5 mi | $2,380 | $-260 (-10%) |
| Libertyville, IL | 7.2 mi | $2,070 | $-570 (-22%) |
| Northbrook, IL | 7.7 mi | $2,370 | $-270 (-10%) |
| Buffalo Grove, IL | 8.3 mi | $2,530 | $-110 (-4%) |
| Wheeling, IL | 8.3 mi | $1,900 | $-740 (-28%) |
| Waukegan, IL | 9.8 mi | $1,565 | $-1,075 (-41%) |
| Gurnee, IL | 10.8 mi | $1,970 | $-670 (-25%) |
| Glenview, IL | 11.5 mi | $2,080 | $-560 (-21%) |
| Mundelein, IL | 12.3 mi | $2,000 | $-640 (-24%) |
2-Bedroom rent in Lake Forest — common questions
How much is a 2-bedroom apartment in Lake Forest?
As of July 2026, the median 2-bedroom apartment rent in Lake Forest, Illinois is $2,640 per month. This is +49% below the citywide median of $5,171.
What income do you need to afford a 2-bedroom in Lake Forest?
Using the standard 30% rent-to-income rule, you would need an annual income of about $105,600 ($8,800/month gross), which works out to roughly $50.77/hour at a full-time job.
Is Lake Forest expensive for a 2-bedroom compared to the rest of the US?
Lake Forest's 2-bedroom median of $2,640 is +60% above the national 2-bedroom median of $1,655. It ranks in the 89th percentile of US cities tracked.
How does Lake Forest rank for 2-bedroom rent in Illinois?
Among the 142 cities in Illinois with 2-bedroom data, Lake Forest ranks #141 from cheapest to most expensive.
Are there cheaper 2-bedroom options near Lake Forest?
Yes — nearby cities with cheaper 2-bedroom rents include Lake Bluff ($2,100), Highland Park ($2,490), Vernon Hills ($2,380).