1-Bedroom Apartment Rent in Normal, IL
Median asking rent for a 1-bedroom apartment in Normal, Illinois as of October 2026. That's +43% lower than the citywide median of $1,390 and +43% below the national 1-bedroom median of $1,395.
Income needed for a 1-bedroom in Normal
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 1-bedroom at the current median rent.
Rent by apartment size in Normal
Compare Normal's median rent across every apartment size.
Cheapest cities for a 1-bedroom in Illinois
| # | City | 1-Bedroom rent |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Carbondale | $511 |
| 2 | Round Lake Beach | $650 |
| 3 | Charleston | $720 |
| 4 | Pekin | $720 |
| 5 | Quincy | $730 |
| 6 | East Peoria | $740 |
| 7 | Danville | $770 |
| 8 | Dixon | $770 |
| 9 | Peoria Heights | $770 |
| 10 | Marion | $780 |
| 11 | Normal (this page) | $790 |
| 12 | Decatur | $800 |
| 13 | Rock Island | $800 |
| 14 | Peoria | $813 |
| 15 | Moline | $820 |
Most expensive cities for a 1-bedroom in Illinois
| # | City | 1-Bedroom rent |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Morton Grove | $2,340 |
| 2 | Lake Forest | $2,340 |
| 3 | Deerfield | $2,340 |
| 4 | Wilmette | $2,240 |
| 5 | Buffalo Grove | $2,240 |
| 6 | Highland Park | $2,210 |
| 7 | Plainfield | $2,155 |
| 8 | Naperville | $2,113 |
| 9 | Vernon Hills | $2,110 |
| 10 | Streamwood | $2,110 |
| 11 | Northbrook | $2,100 |
| 12 | Bolingbrook | $2,060 |
| 13 | Romeoville | $2,050 |
| 14 | Elmhurst | $2,050 |
| 15 | Geneva | $2,040 |
Nearby cities — 1-bedroom rent
Considering nearby alternatives? 2 of these cities have cheaper 1-bedroom rents than Normal.
| City | Distance | 1-Bedroom rent | vs Normal |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bloomington, IL | 3.9 mi | $840 | +$50 (+6%) |
| Washington, IL | 33.9 mi | $830 | +$40 (+5%) |
| East Peoria, IL | 41.8 mi | $740 | $-50 (-6%) |
| Peoria Heights, IL | 44.9 mi | $770 | $-20 (-3%) |
| Decatur, IL | 46 mi | $800 | +$10 (+1%) |
| Peoria, IL | 47.9 mi | $813 | +$23 (+3%) |
| Champaign, IL | 55.1 mi | $1,040 | +$250 (+32%) |
| Rantoul, IL | 57.5 mi | $830 | +$40 (+5%) |
| Ottawa, IL | 58.5 mi | $820 | +$30 (+4%) |
| Savoy, IL | 58.8 mi | $850 | +$60 (+8%) |
| Urbana, IL | 60.5 mi | $875 | +$85 (+11%) |
| Springfield, IL | 69 mi | $890 | +$100 (+13%) |
1-Bedroom rent in Normal — common questions
How much is a 1-bedroom apartment in Normal?
As of October 2026, the median 1-bedroom apartment rent in Normal, Illinois is $790 per month. This is +43% below the citywide median of $1,390.
What income do you need to afford a 1-bedroom in Normal?
Using the standard 30% rent-to-income rule, you would need an annual income of about $31,600 ($2,633/month gross), which works out to roughly $15.19/hour at a full-time job.
Is Normal expensive for a 1-bedroom compared to the rest of the US?
Normal's 1-bedroom median of $790 is +43% below the national 1-bedroom median of $1,395. It ranks in the 5th percentile of US cities tracked.
How does Normal rank for 1-bedroom rent in Illinois?
Among the 137 cities in Illinois with 1-bedroom data, Normal ranks #11 from cheapest to most expensive.
Are there cheaper 1-bedroom options near Normal?
Yes — nearby cities with cheaper 1-bedroom rents include East Peoria ($740), Peoria Heights ($770).