3-Bedroom Apartment Rent in Normal, IL
Median asking rent for a 3-bedroom apartment in Normal, Illinois as of August 2026. That's +10% higher than the citywide median of $1,267 and +35% below the national 3-bedroom median of $2,130.
Income needed for a 3-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 3-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 3-bedroom in Illinois
| # | City | 3-Bedroom rent |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Carbondale | $875 |
| 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 | Peoria Heights | $1,270 |
| 10 | Rantoul | $1,270 |
| 11 | Rock Island | $1,290 |
| 12 | Decatur | $1,310 |
| 13 | Savoy | $1,310 |
| 14 | Moline | $1,320 |
| 15 | Peoria | $1,340 |
Most expensive cities for a 3-bedroom in Illinois
| # | City | 3-Bedroom rent |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Morton Grove | $3,390 |
| 2 | Deerfield | $3,390 |
| 3 | Barrington | $3,390 |
| 4 | Wilmette | $3,250 |
| 5 | Buffalo Grove | $3,250 |
| 6 | Highland Park | $3,200 |
| 7 | Plainfield | $3,165 |
| 8 | Naperville | $3,068 |
| 9 | Vernon Hills | $3,060 |
| 10 | Streamwood | $3,060 |
| 11 | Northbrook | $3,040 |
| 12 | Bartlett | $3,010 |
| 13 | Bolingbrook | $2,985 |
| 14 | Romeoville | $2,970 |
| 15 | Elmhurst | $2,970 |
Nearby cities — 3-bedroom rent
Considering nearby alternatives? 5 of these cities have cheaper 3-bedroom rents than Normal.
| City | Distance | 3-Bedroom rent | vs Normal |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bloomington, IL | 3.9 mi | $1,450 | +$60 (+4%) |
| Mahomet, IL | 43 mi | $1,680 | +$290 (+21%) |
| Peoria Heights, IL | 44.9 mi | $1,270 | $-120 (-9%) |
| Decatur, IL | 46 mi | $1,310 | $-80 (-6%) |
| Peoria, IL | 47.9 mi | $1,340 | $-50 (-4%) |
| Champaign, IL | 55.1 mi | $1,607 | +$217 (+16%) |
| Rantoul, IL | 57.5 mi | $1,270 | $-120 (-9%) |
| Ottawa, IL | 58.5 mi | $1,450 | +$60 (+4%) |
| Savoy, IL | 58.8 mi | $1,310 | $-80 (-6%) |
| Urbana, IL | 60.5 mi | $1,355 | $-35 (-3%) |
| Springfield, IL | 69 mi | $1,480 | +$90 (+6%) |
| Chatham, IL | 78.7 mi | $1,860 | +$470 (+34%) |
3-Bedroom rent in Normal — common questions
How much is a 3-bedroom apartment in Normal?
As of August 2026, the median 3-bedroom apartment rent in Normal, Illinois is $1,390 per month. This is +10% higher than the citywide median of $1,267.
What income do you need to afford a 3-bedroom in Normal?
Using the standard 30% rent-to-income rule, you would need an annual income of about $55,600 ($4,633/month gross), which works out to roughly $26.73/hour at a full-time job.
Is Normal expensive for a 3-bedroom compared to the rest of the US?
Normal's 3-bedroom median of $1,390 is +35% below the national 3-bedroom median of $2,130. It ranks in the 10th percentile of US cities tracked.
How does Normal rank for 3-bedroom rent in Illinois?
Among the 142 cities in Illinois with 3-bedroom data, Normal ranks #17 from cheapest to most expensive.
Are there cheaper 3-bedroom options near Normal?
Yes — nearby cities with cheaper 3-bedroom rents include Peoria Heights ($1,270), Decatur ($1,310), Peoria ($1,340).