Studio Apartment Rent in Normal, IL
Median asking rent for a studio apartment in Normal, Illinois as of August 2026. That's +43% lower than the citywide median of $1,267 and +44% below the national studio median of $1,290.
Income needed for a studio 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 studio at the current median rent.
Rent by apartment size in Normal
Compare Normal's median rent across every apartment size.
Cheapest cities for a studio in Illinois
| # | City | Studio rent |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Carbondale | $464 |
| 2 | Dixon | $610 |
| 3 | Charleston | $640 |
| 4 | Quincy | $650 |
| 5 | Macomb | $660 |
| 6 | Pekin | $660 |
| 7 | Rock Island | $680 |
| 8 | Danville | $690 |
| 9 | Moline | $700 |
| 10 | Peoria Heights | $700 |
| 11 | Normal (this page) | $720 |
| 12 | Peoria | $738 |
| 13 | Springfield | $750 |
| 14 | Decatur | $760 |
| 15 | Marion | $760 |
Most expensive cities for a studio in Illinois
| # | City | Studio rent |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Morton Grove | $2,190 |
| 2 | Deerfield | $2,190 |
| 3 | Barrington | $2,190 |
| 4 | Wilmette | $2,100 |
| 5 | Buffalo Grove | $2,100 |
| 6 | Highland Park | $2,060 |
| 7 | Plainfield | $2,015 |
| 8 | Naperville | $1,978 |
| 9 | Vernon Hills | $1,970 |
| 10 | Streamwood | $1,970 |
| 11 | Northbrook | $1,960 |
| 12 | Bartlett | $1,940 |
| 13 | Bolingbrook | $1,925 |
| 14 | Romeoville | $1,910 |
| 15 | Elmhurst | $1,910 |
Nearby cities — studio rent
Considering nearby alternatives? 1 of these cities have cheaper studio rents than Normal.
| City | Distance | Studio rent | vs Normal |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bloomington, IL | 3.9 mi | $770 | +$50 (+7%) |
| Mahomet, IL | 43 mi | $1,080 | +$360 (+50%) |
| Peoria Heights, IL | 44.9 mi | $700 | $-20 (-3%) |
| Decatur, IL | 46 mi | $760 | +$40 (+6%) |
| Peoria, IL | 47.9 mi | $738 | +$18 (+3%) |
| Champaign, IL | 55.1 mi | $1,033 | +$313 (+43%) |
| Rantoul, IL | 57.5 mi | $820 | +$100 (+14%) |
| Ottawa, IL | 58.5 mi | $790 | +$70 (+10%) |
| Savoy, IL | 58.8 mi | $850 | +$130 (+18%) |
| Urbana, IL | 60.5 mi | $870 | +$150 (+21%) |
| Springfield, IL | 69 mi | $750 | +$30 (+4%) |
| Chatham, IL | 78.7 mi | $950 | +$230 (+32%) |
Studio rent in Normal — common questions
How much is a studio apartment in Normal?
As of August 2026, the median studio apartment rent in Normal, Illinois is $720 per month. This is +43% below the citywide median of $1,267.
What income do you need to afford a studio in Normal?
Using the standard 30% rent-to-income rule, you would need an annual income of about $28,800 ($2,400/month gross), which works out to roughly $13.85/hour at a full-time job.
Is Normal expensive for a studio compared to the rest of the US?
Normal's studio median of $720 is +44% below the national studio median of $1,290. It ranks in the 4th percentile of US cities tracked.
How does Normal rank for studio rent in Illinois?
Among the 140 cities in Illinois with studio data, Normal ranks #11 from cheapest to most expensive.
Are there cheaper studio options near Normal?
Yes — nearby cities with cheaper studio rents include Peoria Heights ($700).