City Report · IL

Oak Park

Pop. 53,292·56th most expensive in Illinois·Rental market data updated monthly for Oak Park, IL
Median rent (all units)
$2,086/mo
Year-over-Year
+3.7%
Month-over-Month
-3.4%
vs US Median
+$124
Falling (Monthly)
Be the first to discuss Oak Park rents
Most AffordableMost Expensive
Oak Park · $2,086
More expensive than 63% of US cities · National median $1,962/mo
Rent Reality Score
47/100
Fairly priced
OverheatedFairGreat value

Rents are right about where Oak Park's 10-year trend predicts.

Actual rent
$2,086/mo
Expected by trend
$2,058/mo
The Rent Reality Score compares today's median rent to where Oak Park's own long-run trajectory projects it should be. See the full rankings →
Medians by bedroom

Rent by unit size

Studio
$1,683
1 BR
$1,797
2 BR
$2,030
3 BR
$2,607
4 BR+
$3,063
Fair Market Rent (HUD)
$2,030/mo

These are HUD Fair Market Rents, the payment standard for a Housing Choice Voucher (Section 8). They often differ from the $2,086 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

Loading…

Last updated: August 17, 2026

Annual cost
$25,032/yr
At $2,086/mo median
Rent Market Meter
Renter's Market
Renter's MarketBalancedLandlord's Market
Rents are softening (up only 3.7% YoY), so renters have negotiating leverage.
Based on rent-price momentum (+3.7% YoY, -3.4% MoM), not inventory.
Rent check

Is your rent fair?

Compare your rent to the local median.

Demographics

Who lives here

Oak Park, IL is majority owner-occupied, has a median income above the national average, 72.5% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

Population
53,292
Median income
$110,820
Median age
40.3
Renters
40%
Age distribution
23.9%
17.7%
29.2%
17.7%
Under 1823.9%
18–3417.7%
35–5429.2%
55–6411.5%
65+17.7%
Gender
47.5%
52.5%
Male47.5%
Female52.5%
Race & ethnicity
63%
17.9%
White63%
Black17.9%
Hispanic9.3%
Asian5.4%
Other4.3%
Education (25+)
16.4%
72.5%
No HS diploma2.4%
HS diploma8.7%
Some college16.4%
Bachelor's+72.5%
Housing tenure
60%
40%
Owner60%
Renter40%

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

2021 vs 2026

How Oak Park, IL has changed in 5 years

Rent
$1,596 → $2,086
up 30.7%
Income
$98,081 → $110,820
up 13.0%
Population
54,100 → 53,292
down 1.5%
Renter share
40.1% → 40%
-0.1 pts
Bachelor's+
72% → 72.5%
+0.5 pts

Since 2021, the typical rent in Oak Park, IL has climbed from $1,596 to $2,086, a 30.7% change over five years. Local incomes tracked alongside that move, going from a median of $98,081 in 2021 to $110,820 more recently. That spread, with rent up faster than earnings, points to a tougher affordability environment than five years ago. The population has contracted by 1.5% since 2021, moving from about 54,100 residents to roughly 53,292. These shifts give renters and would-be renters a longer baseline for sizing up today's listings against the Oak Park, IL market of 2021.

Community

Discussions about Oak Park

No discussions yet. Start the conversation.

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

Can you afford rent in Oak Park on your salary?

At $2,086/mo, how Oak Park rent compares to typical pay (30% rule).

By apartment size

Oak Park rent by bedroom count

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

Local insights

Tips for renters in Oak Park

About renting in Oak Park, IL

Last updated: August 17, 2026

The median rent in Oak Park is $2,086/mo as of August 2026. A studio apartment averages $1,683/mo while a 2-bedroom runs $2,030/mo. One-bedroom apartments average $1,797/mo and 3-bedroom units go for $2,607/mo.

At 23% of local median household income ($110,820/yr), Oak Park ranks as affordable compared to the national benchmark of 30%. Rents have increased 3.7% over the past year.

FAQ

Frequently asked questions

Is Oak Park an affordable city for renters?

Oak Park is considered very affordable for renters. At $2,086/mo, rent takes approximately 23% of the local median household income ($110,820/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%. Oak Park falls comfortably within that range.

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

To keep rent at or below 30% of gross income, you would need to earn at least $83,000/year (~$40/hour full-time) to afford the median rent of $2,086/mo in Oak Park. The local median household income is $110,820/yr, meaning the typical Oak Park household meets that threshold.

Is rent going up or down in Oak Park?

Rent in Oak Park has increased 3.7% over the past year as of August 2026, putting upward pressure on renter budgets.

Which Oak Park neighborhoods have the lowest rent?

The most affordable ZIP codes in Oak Park are 60304 ($1,593/mo), 60302 ($1,851/mo), and 60301 ($2,394/mo). Citywide, the median rent in Oak Park is $2,086/mo.

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

Oak Park is middle-of-the-pack for Illinois for rent, ranking #56 out of 142 tracked cities at $2,086/mo.

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

Several nearby cities have lower median rents than Oak Park ($2,086/mo): Cicero ($1,314/mo), Berwyn ($1,424/mo), Maywood ($1,519/mo).

What percentage of Oak Park residents rent vs. own?

According to Census data, approximately 40% of Oak Park households are renters, while 60% are owner-occupied. Oak Park leans toward homeownership, which can mean a smaller rental inventory.

How does Oak Park rent compare to the national average?

Oak Park's median rent of $2,086/mo is $124 (6%) above the US national median of $1,962/mo. Within Illinois, it ranks #56 out of 142 tracked cities.
Income Affordability
23%
VERY AFFORDABLE

At $2,086/mo, rent takes ~23% of Oak Park's median household income ($110,820/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%.

Oak Park 23%Benchmark 30%
State income tax4.95%
Run the Oak Park affordability calculator →
Compare

How does this area stack up?

Pick another city or ZIP to compare.

Neighborhoods

Estimated from ZIP-level data

Schools nearby

Public schools near Oak Park, IL

Recent submissions

Be the first to submit your rent for Oak Park.

Recent discussions

No discussions yet.

Add RentDataNow as a preferred source on Google