3-Bedroom Apartment Rent in Lake Forest, IL
Median asking rent for a 3-bedroom apartment in Lake Forest, Illinois as of July 2026. That's +34% lower than the citywide median of $5,171 and +59% above the national 3-bedroom median of $2,130.
Income needed for a 3-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 3-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 3-bedroom in Illinois
| # | City | 3-Bedroom rent |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Rantoul | $988 |
| 2 | Pekin | $1,190 |
| 3 | Dixon | $1,210 |
| 4 | Macomb | $1,220 |
| 5 | Charleston | $1,230 |
| 6 | Danville | $1,230 |
| 7 | Quincy | $1,230 |
| 8 | Swansea | $1,243 |
| 9 | Rock Island | $1,290 |
| 10 | Decatur | $1,310 |
| 11 | Savoy | $1,310 |
| 12 | Carbondale | $1,320 |
| 13 | Moline | $1,320 |
| 14 | Peoria | $1,340 |
| 15 | Urbana | $1,355 |
Most expensive cities for a 3-bedroom in Illinois
| # | City | 3-Bedroom rent |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Morton Grove | $3,390 |
| 2 | Lake Forest (this page) | $3,390 |
| 3 | Deerfield | $3,390 |
| 4 | Barrington | $3,390 |
| 5 | Wilmette | $3,250 |
| 6 | Buffalo Grove | $3,250 |
| 7 | Highland Park | $3,200 |
| 8 | Plainfield | $3,165 |
| 9 | Naperville | $3,068 |
| 10 | Vernon Hills | $3,060 |
| 11 | Streamwood | $3,060 |
| 12 | Northbrook | $3,040 |
| 13 | Bartlett | $3,010 |
| 14 | Bolingbrook | $2,985 |
| 15 | Romeoville | $2,970 |
Nearby cities — 3-bedroom rent
Considering nearby alternatives? 5 of these cities have cheaper 3-bedroom rents than Lake Forest.
| City | Distance | 3-Bedroom rent | vs Lake Forest |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lake Bluff, IL | 3.3 mi | $2,700 | $-690 (-20%) |
| Deerfield, IL | 4.4 mi | $3,390 | — |
| Highland Park, IL | 5.3 mi | $3,200 | $-190 (-6%) |
| Vernon Hills, IL | 6.5 mi | $3,060 | $-330 (-10%) |
| Libertyville, IL | 7.2 mi | $2,660 | $-730 (-22%) |
| Northbrook, IL | 7.7 mi | $3,040 | $-350 (-10%) |
| Buffalo Grove, IL | 8.3 mi | $3,250 | $-140 (-4%) |
| Wheeling, IL | 8.3 mi | $2,440 | $-950 (-28%) |
| Waukegan, IL | 9.8 mi | $2,010 | $-1,380 (-41%) |
| Gurnee, IL | 10.8 mi | $2,530 | $-860 (-25%) |
| Glenview, IL | 11.5 mi | $2,670 | $-720 (-21%) |
| Mundelein, IL | 12.3 mi | $2,570 | $-820 (-24%) |
3-Bedroom rent in Lake Forest — common questions
How much is a 3-bedroom apartment in Lake Forest?
As of July 2026, the median 3-bedroom apartment rent in Lake Forest, Illinois is $3,390 per month. This is +34% below the citywide median of $5,171.
What income do you need to afford a 3-bedroom in Lake Forest?
Using the standard 30% rent-to-income rule, you would need an annual income of about $135,600 ($11,300/month gross), which works out to roughly $65.19/hour at a full-time job.
Is Lake Forest expensive for a 3-bedroom compared to the rest of the US?
Lake Forest's 3-bedroom median of $3,390 is +59% above the national 3-bedroom median of $2,130. It ranks in the 88th percentile of US cities tracked.
How does Lake Forest rank for 3-bedroom rent in Illinois?
Among the 142 cities in Illinois with 3-bedroom data, Lake Forest ranks #141 from cheapest to most expensive.
Are there cheaper 3-bedroom options near Lake Forest?
Yes — nearby cities with cheaper 3-bedroom rents include Lake Bluff ($2,700), Highland Park ($3,200), Vernon Hills ($3,060).