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City Report · IL

Ottawa

Pop. 18,447·114th most expensive in Illinois·Rents have been falling, good time to negotiate
Median rent (all units)
$1,287/mo
Year-over-Year
Stable
Month-over-Month
-7.5%
vs US Median
-$675
Falling (Monthly)
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Most AffordableMost Expensive
Ottawa · $1,287
More affordable than 88% of US cities · National median $1,962/mo
Affordability
22% of income
VERY AFFORDABLE
0%30% benchmark60%+

At $1,287/mo, rent takes about 22% of the local median household income, comfortably within the 30% benchmark.

Income to afford
$51,000/yr
Local median income
$71,413/yr
Based on the 30%-of-income rule using Ottawa's median rent and household income. See the full affordability breakdown →
Medians by bedroom

Rent by unit size

Studio
$790
1 BR
$820
2 BR
$1,080
3 BR
$1,450
4 BR+
$1,640
Fair Market Rent (HUD)
$1,080/mo

These are HUD Fair Market Rents, the payment standard for a Housing Choice Voucher (Section 8). They often differ from the $1,287 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
$15,444/yr
At $1,287/mo median
Rent Market Meter
Strong Renter's Market
Renter's MarketBalancedLandlord's Market
Rents are down 0.0% year-over-year. Push hard on price, concessions, and lease terms.
Based on rent-price momentum (+0.0% YoY, -7.5% MoM), not inventory.
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Demographics

Who lives here

Ottawa, IL is majority owner-occupied, has a large share of families with children, 23.3% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

Population
18,447
Median income
$71,413
Median age
39.8
Renters
30.3%
Age distribution
25.3%
18.7%
23.4%
16.2%
16.4%
Under 1825.3%
18–3418.7%
35–5423.4%
55–6416.2%
65+16.4%
Gender
46.9%
53.1%
Male46.9%
Female53.1%
Race & ethnicity
87.7%
White87.7%
Black2.5%
Hispanic10.1%
Asian1%
Education (25+)
32.7%
35.7%
23.3%
No HS diploma8.4%
HS diploma32.7%
Some college35.7%
Bachelor's+23.3%
Housing tenure
69.7%
30.3%
Owner69.7%
Renter30.3%

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

2021 vs 2026

How Ottawa, IL has changed in 5 years

Income
$61,083 → $71,413
up 16.9%
Population
18,719 → 18,447
down 1.5%
Renter share
35.1% → 30.3%
-4.8 pts
Bachelor's+
22.2% → 23.3%
+1.1 pts

Census figures show median household income at $71,413 today, compared with $61,083 five years earlier. Headcount in the area went from 18,719 to 18,447 between 2021 and 2024, a 1.5% change. About 30.3% of households rent today, against 35.1% in 2021.

Community

Discussions about Ottawa

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View Ottawa rent history (2015–2026) →
Salary vs rent

Can you afford rent in Ottawa on your salary?

At $1,287/mo, how Ottawa rent compares to typical pay (30% rule).

By apartment size

Ottawa rent by bedroom count

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

Local insights

Tips for renters in Ottawa

About renting in Ottawa, IL

Last updated: August 17, 2026

The median rent in Ottawa is $1,287/mo as of August 2026. A studio apartment averages $790/mo while a 2-bedroom runs $1,080/mo. One-bedroom apartments average $820/mo and 3-bedroom units go for $1,450/mo.

At 22% of local median household income ($71,413/yr), Ottawa ranks as affordable compared to the national benchmark of 30%. Rent prices have stayed steady over the past year.

FAQ

Frequently asked questions

Is Ottawa an affordable city for renters?

Ottawa is considered very affordable for renters. At $1,287/mo, rent takes approximately 22% of the local median household income ($71,413/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%. Ottawa falls comfortably within that range.

How much income do you need to rent in Ottawa?

To keep rent at or below 30% of gross income, you would need to earn at least $51,000/year (~$25/hour full-time) to afford the median rent of $1,287/mo in Ottawa. The local median household income is $71,413/yr, meaning the typical Ottawa household meets that threshold.

Is rent going up or down in Ottawa?

Rent in Ottawa has been relatively stable over the past year, with a 0.0% change year over year as of August 2026.

How does Ottawa rent compare to other cities in Illinois?

Ottawa is one of the more affordable cities in Illinois for rent, ranking #114 out of 142 tracked cities at $1,287/mo.

Which nearby cities are cheaper to rent in than Ottawa?

La Salle is nearby and more affordable at $1,075/mo, which is $212 less than Ottawa.

What percentage of Ottawa residents rent vs. own?

According to Census data, approximately 30.3% of Ottawa households are renters, while 69.7% are owner-occupied. Ottawa leans toward homeownership, which can mean a smaller rental inventory.

How does Ottawa rent compare to the national average?

Ottawa's median rent of $1,287/mo is $675 (34%) below the US national median of $1,962/mo. Within Illinois, it ranks #114 out of 142 tracked cities.
Income Affordability
22%
VERY AFFORDABLE

At $1,287/mo, rent takes ~22% of Ottawa's median household income ($71,413/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%.

Ottawa 22%Benchmark 30%
State income tax4.95%
Run the Ottawa affordability calculator →
Lowest-rent ZIP codes in Ottawa
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Neighborhoods

Estimated from ZIP-level data

Schools nearby

Public schools near Ottawa, IL

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