Rents are 12% below what Oswego's 10-year trend predicts — a better deal than its own history suggests.
Rent by unit size
These are HUD Fair Market Rents, the payment standard for a Housing Choice Voucher (Section 8). They often differ from the $2,380 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 →
12-month history
Last updated: August 17, 2026
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Who lives here
Oswego, IL is majority owner-occupied, has a large share of families with children, has a median income above the national average, 44.3% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau · ACS 2024 5-Year Estimates
How Oswego, IL has changed in 5 years
The median rent in Oswego, IL stood at $2,040 in 2022 and currently runs about $2,380, reflecting a 16.7% increase over the period. On the earnings side, the typical household in Oswego, IL now reports about $123,792, up from $106,790 in 2021. The population has grown by 6.0% since 2021, moving from about 34,324 residents to roughly 36,375. College-educated residents now make up 44.3% of adults here, versus 42.2% in 2021. For context, the 2022 to 2026 window covers an unusually volatile run for US rents nationally, and Oswego, IL reflects that arc in its own way.
Discussions about Oswego
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Can you afford rent in Oswego on your salary?
At $2,380/mo, how Oswego rent compares to typical pay (30% rule).
Oswego rent by bedroom count
Median rent for each apartment size in Oswego. Click any size for full breakdown.
Tips for renters in Oswego
Last updated: August 17, 2026
The median rent in Oswego is $2,380/mo as of August 2026. A studio apartment averages $1,305/mo while a 2-bedroom runs $1,695/mo. One-bedroom apartments average $1,335/mo and 3-bedroom units go for $2,340/mo.
At 23% of local median household income ($123,792/yr), Oswego ranks as affordable compared to the national benchmark of 30%. Rents have decreased 3.9% over the past year.
Frequently asked questions
Is Oswego an affordable city for renters?
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What percentage of Oswego residents rent vs. own?
How does Oswego rent compare to the national average?
At $2,380/mo, rent takes ~23% of Oswego's median household income ($123,792/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%.
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Estimated from ZIP-level data
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