RentDataNowRentDataNow
City Report · IL

Macomb

Pop. 14,894·140th most expensive in Illinois·One of the most affordable rental markets in the US
Median rent (all units)
$786/mo
Year-over-Year
Stable
Month-over-Month
-14.5%
vs US Median
-$1,176
Falling (Monthly)
Be the first to discuss Macomb rents ↓
Most AffordableMost Expensive
Macomb · $786
More affordable than 100% of US cities · National median $1,962/mo
Affordability
21% of income
VERY AFFORDABLE
0%30% benchmark60%+

At $786/mo, rent takes about 21% of the local median household income, comfortably within the 30% benchmark.

Income to afford
$31,000/yr
Local median income
$44,411/yr
Based on the 30%-of-income rule using Macomb's median rent and household income. See the full affordability breakdown →
Medians by bedroom

Rent by unit size

Studio
$660
1 BR
$740
2 BR
$960
3 BR
$1,220
4 BR+
$1,450
Fair Market Rent (HUD)
$960/mo

These are HUD Fair Market Rents, the payment standard for a Housing Choice Voucher (Section 8). They often differ from the $786 market median above, and that is expected: FMR is the 40th percentile of standard-quality units and counts gross rent, so it includes essential utilities such as electricity, water, gas, sewer, and trash. The market median is asking rent, which usually excludes utilities. HUD sets FMR once a year; market rent here updates monthly.

Source: HUD Small Area Fair Market Rents. Read the methodology →

Rent trends

12-month history

Loading…

Last updated: August 17, 2026

Annual cost
$9,432/yr
At $786/mo median
Rent Market Meter
Strong Renter's Market
Renter's MarketBalancedLandlord's Market
Rents are down 0.0% year-over-year. Push hard on price, concessions, and lease terms.
Based on rent-price momentum (+0.0% YoY, -14.5% MoM), not inventory.
Rent check

Is your rent fair?

Compare your rent to the local median.

Demographics

Who lives here

Macomb, IL is roughly split between renters and owners, skews toward younger working-age adults, has a median income below the national average, 35.4% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

Population
14,894
Median income
$44,411
Median age
27.6
Renters
50.6%
Age distribution
14.8%
43.3%
17.1%
15.9%
Under 1814.8%
18–3443.3%
35–5417.1%
55–649%
65+15.9%
Gender
47.5%
52.5%
Male47.5%
Female52.5%
Race & ethnicity
80.1%
White80.1%
Black9.7%
Hispanic5.2%
Asian2.7%
Other2.3%
Education (25+)
29.4%
29.3%
35.4%
No HS diploma5.9%
HS diploma29.4%
Some college29.3%
Bachelor's+35.4%
Housing tenure
49.4%
50.6%
Owner49.4%
Renter50.6%

Source: U.S. Census Bureau · ACS 2024 5-Year Estimates

2021 vs 2026

How Macomb, IL has changed in 5 years

Income
$33,588 → $44,411
up 32.2%
Population
15,681 → 14,894
down 5.0%
Renter share
51.6% → 50.6%
-1.0 pts
Bachelor's+
39.8% → 35.4%
-4.4 pts
Median age
26.8 → 27.6
+0.8 yrs

On the earnings side, the typical household in Macomb, IL now reports about $44,411, up from $33,588 in 2021. The population has contracted by 5.0% since 2021, moving from about 15,681 residents to roughly 14,894. College-educated residents now make up 35.4% of adults here, versus 39.8% in 2021.

Community

Discussions about Macomb

No discussions yet. Start the conversation.

View Macomb rent history (2015–2026) →
Salary vs rent

Can you afford rent in Macomb on your salary?

At $786/mo, how Macomb rent compares to typical pay (30% rule).

By apartment size

Macomb rent by bedroom count

Median rent for each apartment size in Macomb. Click any size for full breakdown.

Local insights

Tips for renters in Macomb

About renting in Macomb, IL

Last updated: August 17, 2026

The median rent in Macomb is $786/mo as of August 2026. A studio apartment averages $660/mo while a 2-bedroom runs $960/mo. One-bedroom apartments average $740/mo and 3-bedroom units go for $1,220/mo.

At 21% of local median household income ($44,411/yr), Macomb ranks as affordable compared to the national benchmark of 30%. Rent prices have stayed steady over the past year.

FAQ

Frequently asked questions

Is Macomb an affordable city for renters?

Macomb is considered very affordable for renters. At $786/mo, rent takes approximately 21% of the local median household income ($44,411/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%. Macomb falls comfortably within that range.

How much income do you need to rent in Macomb?

To keep rent at or below 30% of gross income, you would need to earn at least $31,000/year (~$15/hour full-time) to afford the median rent of $786/mo in Macomb. The local median household income is $44,411/yr, meaning the typical Macomb household meets that threshold.

Is rent going up or down in Macomb?

Rent in Macomb has been relatively stable over the past year, with a 0.0% change year over year as of August 2026.

How does Macomb rent compare to other cities in Illinois?

Macomb is one of the more affordable cities in Illinois for rent, ranking #140 out of 142 tracked cities at $786/mo.

What percentage of Macomb residents rent vs. own?

According to Census data, approximately 50.6% of Macomb households are renters, while 49.4% are owner-occupied. With a majority renter population, Macomb has a strong rental market.

How does Macomb rent compare to the national average?

Macomb's median rent of $786/mo is $1,176 (60%) below the US national median of $1,962/mo. Within Illinois, it ranks #140 out of 142 tracked cities.
Income Affordability
21%
VERY AFFORDABLE

At $786/mo, rent takes ~21% of Macomb's median household income ($44,411/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%.

Macomb 21%Benchmark 30%
State income tax4.95%
Run the Macomb affordability calculator →
Lowest-rent ZIP codes in Macomb
Compare

How does this area stack up?

Pick another city or ZIP to compare.

Neighborhoods

Estimated from ZIP-level data

Schools nearby

Public schools near Macomb, IL

Recent submissions

Be the first to submit your rent for Macomb.

Recent discussions

No discussions yet.

Add RentDataNow as a preferred source on Google