1-Bedroom Apartment Rent in Ottawa, IL
Median asking rent for a 1-bedroom apartment in Ottawa, Illinois as of July 2026. That's +41% lower than the citywide median of $1,391 and +41% below the national 1-bedroom median of $1,395.
Income needed for a 1-bedroom in Ottawa
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 1-bedroom at the current median rent.
Rent by apartment size in Ottawa
Compare Ottawa's median rent across every apartment size.
Cheapest cities for a 1-bedroom in Illinois
| # | City | 1-Bedroom rent |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Rantoul | $646 |
| 2 | Round Lake Beach | $650 |
| 3 | Charleston | $720 |
| 4 | Pekin | $720 |
| 5 | Quincy | $730 |
| 6 | Macomb | $740 |
| 7 | Danville | $770 |
| 8 | Dixon | $770 |
| 9 | Marion | $780 |
| 10 | Normal | $790 |
| 11 | Carbondale | $800 |
| 12 | Decatur | $800 |
| 13 | Rock Island | $800 |
| 14 | Peoria | $813 |
| 15 | Moline | $820 |
Most expensive cities for a 1-bedroom in Illinois
| # | City | 1-Bedroom rent |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Morton Grove | $2,340 |
| 2 | Lake Forest | $2,340 |
| 3 | Deerfield | $2,340 |
| 4 | Barrington | $2,340 |
| 5 | Wilmette | $2,240 |
| 6 | Buffalo Grove | $2,240 |
| 7 | Highland Park | $2,210 |
| 8 | Plainfield | $2,155 |
| 9 | Naperville | $2,113 |
| 10 | Vernon Hills | $2,110 |
| 11 | Streamwood | $2,110 |
| 12 | Northbrook | $2,100 |
| 13 | Bartlett | $2,070 |
| 14 | Bolingbrook | $2,060 |
| 15 | Romeoville | $2,050 |
Nearby cities — 1-bedroom rent
Considering nearby alternatives? 1 of these cities have cheaper 1-bedroom rents than Ottawa.
| City | Distance | 1-Bedroom rent | vs Ottawa |
|---|---|---|---|
| Yorkville, IL | 34.2 mi | $1,330 | +$510 (+62%) |
| Dekalb, IL | 37.2 mi | $1,000 | +$180 (+22%) |
| Oswego, IL | 43.3 mi | $1,335 | +$515 (+63%) |
| Sycamore, IL | 46.1 mi | $1,080 | +$260 (+32%) |
| Plainfield, IL | 46.5 mi | $2,155 | +$1,335 (+163%) |
| North Aurora, IL | 46.5 mi | $1,750 | +$930 (+113%) |
| Aurora, IL | 48.2 mi | $1,844 | +$1,024 (+125%) |
| Geneva, IL | 50.2 mi | $2,040 | +$1,220 (+149%) |
| Joliet, IL | 52.2 mi | $1,420 | +$600 (+73%) |
| Dixon, IL | 52.7 mi | $770 | $-50 (-6%) |
| Naperville, IL | 54.7 mi | $2,113 | +$1,293 (+158%) |
| Saint Charles, IL | 54.9 mi | $1,870 | +$1,050 (+128%) |
1-Bedroom rent in Ottawa — common questions
How much is a 1-bedroom apartment in Ottawa?
As of July 2026, the median 1-bedroom apartment rent in Ottawa, Illinois is $820 per month. This is +41% below the citywide median of $1,391.
What income do you need to afford a 1-bedroom in Ottawa?
Using the standard 30% rent-to-income rule, you would need an annual income of about $32,800 ($2,733/month gross), which works out to roughly $15.77/hour at a full-time job.
Is Ottawa expensive for a 1-bedroom compared to the rest of the US?
Ottawa's 1-bedroom median of $820 is +41% below the national 1-bedroom median of $1,395. It ranks in the 7th percentile of US cities tracked.
How does Ottawa rank for 1-bedroom rent in Illinois?
Among the 141 cities in Illinois with 1-bedroom data, Ottawa ranks #16 from cheapest to most expensive.
Are there cheaper 1-bedroom options near Ottawa?
Yes — nearby cities with cheaper 1-bedroom rents include Dixon ($770).