How much does it cost to rent in Pekin, IL?

As of July 2026, the median monthly rent in Pekin, IL is $843. This figure is based on aggregated data from public sources and community-submitted rents.

Is Pekin cheaper than other Illinois cities?

Pekin is among the more affordable cities in Illinois, ranking #139 out of 142 cities at $843/mo.

When was Pekin rent data last updated?

Pekin 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

Pekin

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

Pop. 31,781·139th most expensive in Illinois·Rents have been falling, good time to negotiate

Median rent (all units)

$843/mo

Year-over-Year

Stable

Month-over-Month

-8.1%

vs US Median

-$1,122

Falling (Monthly)

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Most AffordableMost Expensive

Pekin · $843

More affordable than 100% of US cities · National median $1,965/mo

Affordability

17% of income

VERY AFFORDABLE

0%30% benchmark60%+

At $843/mo, rent takes about 17% of the local median household income, comfortably within the 30% benchmark.

Income to afford

$34,000/yr

Local median income

$60,790/yr

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

Medians by bedroom

Rent by unit size

Studio

$660

1 BR

$720

2 BR

$920

3 BR

$1,190

4 BR+

$1,250

Research median

$920/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

$10,116/yr

At $843/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, -8.1% MoM), not inventory.

Rent check

Is your rent fair?

Compare your rent to the local median.

Demographics

Who lives here

Pekin, IL is majority owner-occupied, has a median income below the national average, 17.9% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

Population

31,781

Median income

$60,790

Median age

41.9

Renters

31.6%

Age distribution

19.4%

22.3%

24.5%

14.4%

19.4%

Under 1819.4%

18–3422.3%

35–5424.5%

55–6414.4%

65+19.4%

Gender

52%

48%

Male52%

Female48%

Race & ethnicity

90.7%

White90.7%

Black3.5%

Hispanic3.1%

Asian0.7%

Other2%

Education (25+)

38.1%

35%

17.9%

No HS diploma9%

HS diploma38.1%

Some college35%

Bachelor's+17.9%

Housing tenure

68.4%

31.6%

Owner68.4%

Renter31.6%

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

2021 vs 2026

How Pekin, IL has changed in 5 years

Income

$50,838 → $60,790

up 19.6%

Population

32,398 → 31,781

down 1.9%

Renter share

32.9% → 31.6%

-1.3 pts

Bachelor's+

19% → 17.9%

-1.1 pts

Local incomes tracked alongside that move, going from a median of $50,838 in 2021 to $60,790 more recently. The population has contracted by 1.9% since 2021, moving from about 32,398 residents to roughly 31,781.

Community

Discussions about Pekin

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View Pekin rent history (2015–2026) →

Salary vs rent

Can you afford rent in Pekin on your salary?

At $843/mo, how Pekin rent compares to typical pay (30% rule).

Registered Nurse

Avg $96,370/yr · Rent = 10.5% income

very comfortable

Elementary School Teacher

Avg $68,422/yr · Rent = 14.8% income

very comfortable

Police Officer

Avg $78,815/yr · Rent = 12.8% income

very comfortable

Software Developer

Avg $140,872/yr · Rent = 7.2% income

very comfortable

Lawyer

Avg $179,999/yr · Rent = 5.6% income

very comfortable

Firefighter

Avg $64,066/yr · Rent = 15.8% income

very comfortable

Truck Driver

Avg $57,844/yr · Rent = 17.5% income

very comfortable

Electrician

Avg $71,298/yr · Rent = 14.2% income

very comfortable

By apartment size

Pekin rent by bedroom count

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

Local insights

Tips for renters in Pekin

About renting in Pekin, IL

Last updated: July 20, 2026

The median rent in Pekin is $843/mo as of July 2026. A studio apartment averages $660/mo while a 2-bedroom runs $920/mo. One-bedroom apartments average $720/mo and 3-bedroom units go for $1,190/mo.

At 17% of local median household income ($60,790/yr), Pekin ranks as affordable compared to the national benchmark of 30%. Rent prices have stayed steady over the past year.

FAQ

Frequently asked questions

Is Pekin an affordable city for renters?

Pekin is considered very affordable for renters. At $843/mo, rent takes approximately 17% of the local median household income ($60,790/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%. Pekin falls comfortably within that range.

How much income do you need to rent in Pekin?

To keep rent at or below 30% of gross income, you would need to earn at least $34,000/year (~$16/hour full-time) to afford the median rent of $843/mo in Pekin. The local median household income is $60,790/yr, meaning the typical Pekin household meets that threshold.

Is rent going up or down in Pekin?

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

How does Pekin rent compare to other cities in Illinois?

Pekin is one of the more affordable cities in Illinois for rent, ranking #139 out of 142 tracked cities at $843/mo.

What percentage of Pekin residents rent vs. own?

According to Census data, approximately 31.6% of Pekin households are renters, while 68.4% are owner-occupied. Pekin leans toward homeownership, which can mean a smaller rental inventory.

How does Pekin rent compare to the national average?

Pekin's median rent of $843/mo is $1,122 (57%) below the US national median of $1,965/mo. Within Illinois, it ranks #139 out of 142 tracked cities.

Income Affordability

17%

VERY AFFORDABLE

At $843/mo, rent takes ~17% of Pekin's median household income ($60,790/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%.

Pekin 17%Benchmark 30%

State income tax4.95%

Run the Pekin affordability calculator →

Nearby cities