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City Report · IL

Oak Lawn

Pop. 56,861·76th most expensive in Illinois·Oak Lawn rents are up 11.7% over the past year
Median rent (all units)
$1,808/mo
Year-over-Year
+11.7%
Month-over-Month
-2.2%
vs US Median
-$154
Falling (Monthly)
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Most AffordableMost Expensive
Oak Lawn · $1,808
More affordable than 53% of US cities · National median $1,962/mo
Rent Reality Score
37/100
Overpriced
OverheatedFairGreat value

Rents are 6% above what Oak Lawn's 10-year trend predicts — running hotter than its own history.

Actual rent
$1,808/mo
Expected by trend
$1,700/mo
The Rent Reality Score compares today's median rent to where Oak Lawn's own long-run trajectory projects it should be. See the full rankings →
Medians by bedroom

Rent by unit size

Studio
$1,350
1 BR
$1,440
2 BR
$1,630
3 BR
$2,090
4 BR+
$2,460
Fair Market Rent (HUD)
$1,630/mo

These are HUD Fair Market Rents, the payment standard for a Housing Choice Voucher (Section 8). They often differ from the $1,808 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

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Last updated: August 17, 2026

Annual cost
$21,696/yr
At $1,808/mo median
Rent Market Meter
Strong Landlord's Market
Renter's MarketBalancedLandlord's Market
Rents are up 11.7% year-over-year. Expect competition, and move quickly to lock in terms.
Based on rent-price momentum (+11.7% YoY, -2.2% MoM), not inventory.
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Demographics

Who lives here

Oak Lawn, IL is majority owner-occupied, 31.6% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

Population
56,861
Median income
$83,911
Median age
40.3
Renters
17.5%
Age distribution
23.3%
20%
23.2%
14.7%
18.7%
Under 1823.3%
18–3420%
35–5423.2%
55–6414.7%
65+18.7%
Gender
48.9%
51.1%
Male48.9%
Female51.1%
Race & ethnicity
68.2%
24%
White68.2%
Black8.9%
Hispanic24%
Asian1.7%
Education (25+)
29.1%
29.6%
31.6%
No HS diploma9.7%
HS diploma29.1%
Some college29.6%
Bachelor's+31.6%
Housing tenure
82.5%
17.5%
Owner82.5%
Renter17.5%

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

2023 vs 2026

How Oak Lawn, IL has changed in 5 years

Rent
$1,493 → $1,808
up 21.1%
Income
$70,787 → $83,911
up 18.5%
Population
58,032 → 56,861
down 2.0%
Renter share
18.6% → 17.5%
-1.1 pts
Bachelor's+
32.1% → 31.6%
-0.5 pts
Median age
41.3 → 40.3
-1.0 yrs

Since 2023, the typical rent in Oak Lawn, IL has increased from $1,493 to $1,808, a 21.1% change over five years. On the earnings side, the typical household in Oak Lawn, IL now reports about $83,911, up from $70,787 in 2021. The population has contracted by 2.0% since 2021, moving from about 58,032 residents to roughly 56,861. For context, the 2023 to 2026 window covers an unusually volatile run for US rents nationally, and Oak Lawn, IL reflects that arc in its own way.

Community

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View Oak Lawn rent history (2015–2026) →
Salary vs rent

Can you afford rent in Oak Lawn on your salary?

At $1,808/mo, how Oak Lawn rent compares to typical pay (30% rule).

By apartment size

Oak Lawn rent by bedroom count

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

Local insights

Tips for renters in Oak Lawn

About renting in Oak Lawn, IL

Last updated: August 17, 2026

The median rent in Oak Lawn is $1,808/mo as of August 2026. A studio apartment averages $1,350/mo while a 2-bedroom runs $1,630/mo. One-bedroom apartments average $1,440/mo and 3-bedroom units go for $2,090/mo.

At 26% of local median household income ($83,911/yr), Oak Lawn ranks as affordable compared to the national benchmark of 30%. Rents have increased 11.7% over the past year.

FAQ

Frequently asked questions

Is Oak Lawn an affordable city for renters?

Oak Lawn is considered affordable for renters. At $1,808/mo, rent takes approximately 26% of the local median household income ($83,911/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%. Oak Lawn falls comfortably within that range.

How much income do you need to rent in Oak Lawn?

To keep rent at or below 30% of gross income, you would need to earn at least $72,000/year (~$35/hour full-time) to afford the median rent of $1,808/mo in Oak Lawn. The local median household income is $83,911/yr, meaning the typical Oak Lawn household meets that threshold.

Is rent going up or down in Oak Lawn?

Rent in Oak Lawn has increased 11.7% over the past year as of August 2026, putting upward pressure on renter budgets.

How does Oak Lawn rent compare to other cities in Illinois?

Oak Lawn is middle-of-the-pack for Illinois for rent, ranking #76 out of 142 tracked cities at $1,808/mo.

Which nearby cities are cheaper to rent in than Oak Lawn?

Several nearby cities have lower median rents than Oak Lawn ($1,808/mo): Worth ($1,508/mo), Chicago Ridge ($1,518/mo), Bridgeview ($1,532/mo).

What percentage of Oak Lawn residents rent vs. own?

According to Census data, approximately 17.5% of Oak Lawn households are renters, while 82.5% are owner-occupied. Oak Lawn leans toward homeownership, which can mean a smaller rental inventory.

How does Oak Lawn rent compare to the national average?

Oak Lawn's median rent of $1,808/mo is $154 (8%) below the US national median of $1,962/mo. Within Illinois, it ranks #76 out of 142 tracked cities.
Income Affordability
26%
AFFORDABLE

At $1,808/mo, rent takes ~26% of Oak Lawn's median household income ($83,911/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%.

Oak Lawn 26%Benchmark 30%
State income tax4.95%
Run the Oak Lawn affordability calculator →
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Neighborhoods

Estimated from ZIP-level data

Schools nearby

Public schools near Oak Lawn, IL

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