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City Report · IL

Normal

Pop. 53,569·106th most expensive in Illinois·Normal rents are up 8.0% over the past year
Median rent (all units)
$1,403/mo
Year-over-Year
+8.0%
Month-over-Month
Stable
vs US Median
-$562
Stable (Monthly)
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Most AffordableMost Expensive
Normal · $1,403
More affordable than 82% of US cities · National median $1,965/mo
Rent Reality Score
64/100
Good value
OverheatedFairGreat value

Rents are 7% below what Normal's 10-year trend predicts — a better deal than its own history suggests.

Actual rent
$1,403/mo
Expected by trend
$1,510/mo
The Rent Reality Score compares today's median rent to where Normal's own long-run trajectory projects it should be. See the full rankings →
Medians by bedroom

Rent by unit size

Studio
$720
1 BR
$790
2 BR
$1,010
3 BR
$1,390
4 BR+
$1,390
Research median
$1,010/mo

Bedroom estimates are gross rents that include essential utilities (electricity, water, gas, sewer, trash).

Rent trends

12-month history

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Last updated: July 20, 2026

Annual cost
$16,836/yr
At $1,403/mo median
Rent Market Meter
Strong Landlord's Market
Renter's MarketBalancedLandlord's Market
Rents are up 8.0% year-over-year. Expect competition, and move quickly to lock in terms.
Based on rent-price momentum (+8.0% YoY, -0.1% MoM), not inventory.
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Demographics

Who lives here

Normal, IL is roughly split between renters and owners, skews toward younger working-age adults, has a median income below the national average, 52.9% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

Population
53,569
Median income
$64,785
Median age
25
Renters
45.2%
Age distribution
16.1%
44.9%
18.4%
12.1%
Under 1816.1%
18–3444.9%
35–5418.4%
55–648.4%
65+12.1%
Gender
47.8%
52.2%
Male47.8%
Female52.2%
Race & ethnicity
78%
White78%
Black10.9%
Hispanic7.2%
Asian4.3%
Education (25+)
18.9%
25.7%
52.9%
No HS diploma2.4%
HS diploma18.9%
Some college25.7%
Bachelor's+52.9%
Housing tenure
54.8%
45.2%
Owner54.8%
Renter45.2%

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

2022 vs 2026

How Normal, IL has changed in 5 years

Rent
$1,177 → $1,403
up 19.2%
Income
$58,564 → $64,785
up 10.6%
Population
53,446 → 53,569
up 0.2%
Renter share
44.6% → 45.2%
+0.6 pts
Bachelor's+
52.3% → 52.9%
+0.6 pts

Compared with 2022, rent in Normal, IL has climbed by $226 per month, settling near $1,403 after starting the period at $1,177. Local incomes tracked alongside that move, going from a median of $58,564 in 2021 to $64,785 more recently. Rent outpaced income growth by roughly 8.6 percentage points, which means renters are spending a larger slice of each paycheck on housing than they did in 2021. These shifts give renters and would-be renters a longer baseline for sizing up today's listings against the Normal, IL market of 2022.

Community

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

Can you afford rent in Normal on your salary?

At $1,403/mo, how Normal rent compares to typical pay (30% rule).

By apartment size

Normal rent by bedroom count

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

Local insights

Tips for renters in Normal

About renting in Normal, IL

Last updated: July 20, 2026

The median rent in Normal is $1,403/mo as of July 2026. A studio apartment averages $720/mo while a 2-bedroom runs $1,010/mo. One-bedroom apartments average $790/mo and 3-bedroom units go for $1,390/mo.

At 26% of local median household income ($64,785/yr), Normal ranks as affordable compared to the national benchmark of 30%. Rents have increased 8.0% over the past year.

FAQ

Frequently asked questions

Is Normal an affordable city for renters?

Normal is considered affordable for renters. At $1,403/mo, rent takes approximately 26% of the local median household income ($64,785/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%. Normal falls comfortably within that range.

How much income do you need to rent in Normal?

To keep rent at or below 30% of gross income, you would need to earn at least $56,000/year (~$27/hour full-time) to afford the median rent of $1,403/mo in Normal. The local median household income is $64,785/yr, meaning the typical Normal household meets that threshold.

Is rent going up or down in Normal?

Rent in Normal has increased 8.0% over the past year as of July 2026, putting upward pressure on renter budgets.

How does Normal rent compare to other cities in Illinois?

Normal is one of the more affordable cities in Illinois for rent, ranking #106 out of 142 tracked cities at $1,403/mo.

Which nearby cities are cheaper to rent in than Normal?

Several nearby cities have lower median rents than Normal ($1,403/mo): East Peoria ($1,000/mo), Washington ($1,324/mo), Bloomington ($1,368/mo).

What percentage of Normal residents rent vs. own?

According to Census data, approximately 45.2% of Normal households are renters, while 54.8% are owner-occupied. Normal leans toward homeownership, which can mean a smaller rental inventory.

How does Normal rent compare to the national average?

Normal's median rent of $1,403/mo is $562 (29%) below the US national median of $1,965/mo. Within Illinois, it ranks #106 out of 142 tracked cities.
Income Affordability
26%
AFFORDABLE

At $1,403/mo, rent takes ~26% of Normal's median household income ($64,785/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%.

Normal 26%Benchmark 30%
State income tax4.95%
Run the Normal affordability calculator →
Lowest-rent ZIP codes in Normal
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Neighborhoods

Estimated from ZIP-level data

Schools nearby

Public schools near Normal, IL

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