2-Bedroom Apartment Rent in Ottawa, IL
Median asking rent for a 2-bedroom apartment in Ottawa, Illinois as of July 2026. That's +22% lower than the citywide median of $1,391 and +35% below the national 2-bedroom median of $1,655.
Income needed for a 2-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 2-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 2-bedroom in Illinois
| # | City | 2-Bedroom rent |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Rantoul | $762 |
| 2 | Dixon | $870 |
| 3 | Pekin | $920 |
| 4 | Charleston | $930 |
| 5 | Quincy | $950 |
| 6 | Macomb | $960 |
| 7 | Rock Island | $990 |
| 8 | Decatur | $995 |
| 9 | Carbondale | $1,010 |
| 10 | Danville | $1,010 |
| 11 | Moline | $1,010 |
| 12 | Normal | $1,010 |
| 13 | Savoy | $1,010 |
| 14 | Pontoon Beach | $1,014 |
| 15 | Marion | $1,020 |
Most expensive cities for a 2-bedroom in Illinois
| # | City | 2-Bedroom rent |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Morton Grove | $2,640 |
| 2 | Lake Forest | $2,640 |
| 3 | Deerfield | $2,640 |
| 4 | Barrington | $2,640 |
| 5 | Wilmette | $2,530 |
| 6 | Buffalo Grove | $2,530 |
| 7 | Highland Park | $2,490 |
| 8 | Plainfield | $2,455 |
| 9 | Naperville | $2,388 |
| 10 | Vernon Hills | $2,380 |
| 11 | Streamwood | $2,380 |
| 12 | Northbrook | $2,370 |
| 13 | Bartlett | $2,340 |
| 14 | Bolingbrook | $2,325 |
| 15 | Romeoville | $2,310 |
Nearby cities — 2-bedroom rent
Considering nearby alternatives? 1 of these cities have cheaper 2-bedroom rents than Ottawa.
| City | Distance | 2-Bedroom rent | vs Ottawa |
|---|---|---|---|
| Yorkville, IL | 34.2 mi | $1,740 | +$660 (+61%) |
| Dekalb, IL | 37.2 mi | $1,310 | +$230 (+21%) |
| Oswego, IL | 43.3 mi | $1,695 | +$615 (+57%) |
| Sycamore, IL | 46.1 mi | $1,410 | +$330 (+31%) |
| Plainfield, IL | 46.5 mi | $2,455 | +$1,375 (+127%) |
| North Aurora, IL | 46.5 mi | $1,980 | +$900 (+83%) |
| Aurora, IL | 48.2 mi | $2,102 | +$1,022 (+95%) |
| Geneva, IL | 50.2 mi | $2,300 | +$1,220 (+113%) |
| Joliet, IL | 52.2 mi | $1,600 | +$520 (+48%) |
| Dixon, IL | 52.7 mi | $870 | $-210 (-19%) |
| Naperville, IL | 54.7 mi | $2,388 | +$1,308 (+121%) |
| Saint Charles, IL | 54.9 mi | $2,110 | +$1,030 (+95%) |
2-Bedroom rent in Ottawa — common questions
How much is a 2-bedroom apartment in Ottawa?
As of July 2026, the median 2-bedroom apartment rent in Ottawa, Illinois is $1,080 per month. This is +22% below the citywide median of $1,391.
What income do you need to afford a 2-bedroom in Ottawa?
Using the standard 30% rent-to-income rule, you would need an annual income of about $43,200 ($3,600/month gross), which works out to roughly $20.77/hour at a full-time job.
Is Ottawa expensive for a 2-bedroom compared to the rest of the US?
Ottawa's 2-bedroom median of $1,080 is +35% below the national 2-bedroom median of $1,655. It ranks in the 11th percentile of US cities tracked.
How does Ottawa rank for 2-bedroom rent in Illinois?
Among the 142 cities in Illinois with 2-bedroom data, Ottawa ranks #19 from cheapest to most expensive.
Are there cheaper 2-bedroom options near Ottawa?
Yes — nearby cities with cheaper 2-bedroom rents include Dixon ($870).