Studio Apartment Rent in Lake Forest, IL
Median asking rent for a studio apartment in Lake Forest, Illinois as of July 2026. That's +58% lower than the citywide median of $5,171 and +70% above the national studio median of $1,290.
Income needed for a studio 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 studio 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 studio in Illinois
| # | City | Studio rent |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Dixon | $610 |
| 2 | Rantoul | $638 |
| 3 | Charleston | $640 |
| 4 | Quincy | $650 |
| 5 | Macomb | $660 |
| 6 | Pekin | $660 |
| 7 | Rock Island | $680 |
| 8 | Danville | $690 |
| 9 | Carbondale | $700 |
| 10 | Moline | $700 |
| 11 | Normal | $720 |
| 12 | Peoria | $738 |
| 13 | Springfield | $750 |
| 14 | Washington | $750 |
| 15 | Decatur | $760 |
Most expensive cities for a studio in Illinois
| # | City | Studio rent |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Morton Grove | $2,190 |
| 2 | Lake Forest (this page) | $2,190 |
| 3 | Deerfield | $2,190 |
| 4 | Barrington | $2,190 |
| 5 | Wilmette | $2,100 |
| 6 | Buffalo Grove | $2,100 |
| 7 | Highland Park | $2,060 |
| 8 | Plainfield | $2,015 |
| 9 | Naperville | $1,978 |
| 10 | Vernon Hills | $1,970 |
| 11 | Streamwood | $1,970 |
| 12 | Northbrook | $1,960 |
| 13 | Bartlett | $1,940 |
| 14 | Bolingbrook | $1,925 |
| 15 | Romeoville | $1,910 |
Nearby cities — studio rent
Considering nearby alternatives? 5 of these cities have cheaper studio rents than Lake Forest.
| City | Distance | Studio rent | vs Lake Forest |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lake Bluff, IL | 3.3 mi | $1,740 | $-450 (-21%) |
| Deerfield, IL | 4.4 mi | $2,190 | — |
| Highland Park, IL | 5.3 mi | $2,060 | $-130 (-6%) |
| Vernon Hills, IL | 6.5 mi | $1,970 | $-220 (-10%) |
| Libertyville, IL | 7.2 mi | $1,710 | $-480 (-22%) |
| Northbrook, IL | 7.7 mi | $1,960 | $-230 (-11%) |
| Buffalo Grove, IL | 8.3 mi | $2,100 | $-90 (-4%) |
| Wheeling, IL | 8.3 mi | $1,570 | $-620 (-28%) |
| Waukegan, IL | 9.8 mi | $1,295 | $-895 (-41%) |
| Gurnee, IL | 10.8 mi | $1,630 | $-560 (-26%) |
| Glenview, IL | 11.5 mi | $1,720 | $-470 (-21%) |
| Mundelein, IL | 12.3 mi | $1,660 | $-530 (-24%) |
Studio rent in Lake Forest — common questions
How much is a studio apartment in Lake Forest?
As of July 2026, the median studio apartment rent in Lake Forest, Illinois is $2,190 per month. This is +58% below the citywide median of $5,171.
What income do you need to afford a studio in Lake Forest?
Using the standard 30% rent-to-income rule, you would need an annual income of about $87,600 ($7,300/month gross), which works out to roughly $42.12/hour at a full-time job.
Is Lake Forest expensive for a studio compared to the rest of the US?
Lake Forest's studio median of $2,190 is +70% above the national studio median of $1,290. It ranks in the 93th percentile of US cities tracked.
How does Lake Forest rank for studio rent in Illinois?
Among the 140 cities in Illinois with studio data, Lake Forest ranks #139 from cheapest to most expensive.
Are there cheaper studio options near Lake Forest?
Yes — nearby cities with cheaper studio rents include Lake Bluff ($1,740), Highland Park ($2,060), Vernon Hills ($1,970).