How much does it cost to rent in Park Forest, IL?

As of July 2026, the median monthly rent in Park Forest, IL is $1,981. This figure is based on aggregated data from public sources and community-submitted rents.

Is Park Forest cheaper than other Illinois cities?

Park Forest falls in the middle range for Illinois, ranking #66 out of 142 cities at $1,981/mo.

When was Park Forest rent data last updated?

Park Forest rent data reflects July 2026 and was last refreshed on July 20, 2026. RentDataNow refreshes all data monthly using public and private datasets.

City Report · IL

Park Forest

Name: Average Rent Prices in Park Forest, IL
Creator: RentDataNow
License: https://rentdatanow.com/terms-of-service

Pop. 21,156·66th most expensive in Illinois·Rental market data updated monthly for Park Forest, IL

Median rent (all units)

$1,981/mo

Year-over-Year

Stable

Month-over-Month

-3.4%

vs US Median

+$16

Falling (Monthly)

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Most AffordableMost Expensive

Park Forest · $1,981

More expensive than 58% of US cities · National median $1,965/mo

Affordability

39% of income

MODERATE

0%30% benchmark60%+

At $1,981/mo, rent takes about 39% of the local median household income, slightly above the 30% benchmark.

Income to afford

$79,000/yr

Local median income

$61,072/yr

Based on the 30%-of-income rule using Park Forest's median rent and household income. See the full affordability breakdown →

Medians by bedroom

Rent by unit size

Studio

$1,520

1 BR

$1,630

2 BR

$1,840

3 BR

$2,360

4 BR+

$2,780

Research median

$1,840/mo

Bedroom estimates are gross rents that include essential utilities (electricity, water, gas, sewer, trash).

Rent trends

12-month history

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Last updated: July 20, 2026

Annual cost

$23,772/yr

At $1,981/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, -3.4% MoM), not inventory.

Rent check

Is your rent fair?

Compare your rent to the local median.

Demographics

Who lives here

Park Forest, IL is majority owner-occupied, has a median income below the national average, 24.3% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

Population

21,156

Median income

$61,072

Median age

36.9

Renters

34.2%

Age distribution

23.1%

24.5%

25.4%

15.8%

Under 1823.1%

18–3424.5%

35–5425.4%

55–6411.2%

65+15.8%

Gender

45%

55%

Male45%

Female55%

Race & ethnicity

20.8%

67.9%

White20.8%

Black67.9%

Hispanic9.7%

Other1.2%

Education (25+)

25.8%

41.5%

24.3%

No HS diploma8.4%

HS diploma25.8%

Some college41.5%

Bachelor's+24.3%

Housing tenure

65.8%

34.2%

Owner65.8%

Renter34.2%

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

2021 vs 2026

How Park Forest, IL has changed in 5 years

Income

$58,657 → $61,072

up 4.1%

Population

21,368 → 21,156

down 1.0%

Renter share

42.3% → 34.2%

-8.1 pts

Bachelor's+

27.4% → 24.3%

-3.1 pts

Median household income climbed from $58,657 to $61,072 between 2021 and 2024, a 4.1% shift. Census counts show Park Forest, IL losing about 212 residents over the five-year window, down 1.0% on net. The renter share has eased from 42.3% to 34.2%, with owner-occupied housing accounting for the remainder. Bachelor's-degree-or-higher attainment moved from 27.4% to 24.3% across the same window.

Community

Discussions about Park Forest

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View Park Forest rent history (2015–2026) →

Salary vs rent

Can you afford rent in Park Forest on your salary?

At $1,981/mo, how Park Forest rent compares to typical pay (30% rule).

Registered Nurse

Avg $96,370/yr · Rent = 24.7% income

affordable

Elementary School Teacher

Avg $68,422/yr · Rent = 34.7% income

stretched

Police Officer

Avg $78,815/yr · Rent = 30.2% income

stretched

Software Developer

Avg $140,872/yr · Rent = 16.9% income

very comfortable

Lawyer

Avg $179,999/yr · Rent = 13.2% income

very comfortable

Firefighter

Avg $64,066/yr · Rent = 37.1% income

stretched

Truck Driver

Avg $57,844/yr · Rent = 41.1% income

rent-burdened

Electrician

Avg $71,298/yr · Rent = 33.3% income

stretched

By apartment size

Park Forest rent by bedroom count

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

Local insights

Tips for renters in Park Forest

About renting in Park Forest, IL

Last updated: July 20, 2026

The median rent in Park Forest is $1,981/mo as of July 2026. A studio apartment averages $1,520/mo while a 2-bedroom runs $1,840/mo. One-bedroom apartments average $1,630/mo and 3-bedroom units go for $2,360/mo.

At 39% of local median household income ($61,072/yr), Park Forest ranks as moderate compared to the national benchmark of 30%. Rent prices have stayed steady over the past year.

FAQ

Frequently asked questions

Is Park Forest an affordable city for renters?

Park Forest is considered moderate for renters. At $1,981/mo, rent takes approximately 39% of the local median household income ($61,072/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%. Park Forest slightly exceeds that threshold, so budgeting carefully matters here.

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

To keep rent at or below 30% of gross income, you would need to earn at least $79,000/year (~$38/hour full-time) to afford the median rent of $1,981/mo in Park Forest. The local median household income is $61,072/yr, meaning the typical Park Forest household falls short of that threshold.

Is rent going up or down in Park Forest?

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

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

Park Forest is middle-of-the-pack for Illinois for rent, ranking #66 out of 142 tracked cities at $1,981/mo.

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

Chicago Heights is nearby and more affordable at $1,498/mo, which is $483 less than Park Forest.

What percentage of Park Forest residents rent vs. own?

According to Census data, approximately 34.2% of Park Forest households are renters, while 65.8% are owner-occupied. Park Forest leans toward homeownership, which can mean a smaller rental inventory.

How does Park Forest rent compare to the national average?

Park Forest's median rent of $1,981/mo is $16 (1%) above the US national median of $1,965/mo. Within Illinois, it ranks #66 out of 142 tracked cities.

Income Affordability

39%

MODERATE

At $1,981/mo, rent takes ~39% of Park Forest's median household income ($61,072/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%.

Park Forest 39%Benchmark 30%

State income tax4.95%

Run the Park Forest affordability calculator →

Nearby cities