City Report · IL

Plainfield

Pop. 46,708·4th most expensive in Illinois·Plainfield rents are up 9.8% over the past year
Median rent (all units)
$2,970/mo
Year-over-Year
+9.8%
Month-over-Month
+2.5%
vs US Median
+$1,008
Rising (Monthly)
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Most AffordableMost Expensive
Plainfield · $2,970
More expensive than 90% of US cities · National median $1,962/mo
Rent Reality Score
29/100
Overpriced
OverheatedFairGreat value

Rents are 11% above what Plainfield's 10-year trend predicts — running hotter than its own history.

Actual rent
$2,970/mo
Expected by trend
$2,687/mo
The Rent Reality Score compares today's median rent to where Plainfield's own long-run trajectory projects it should be. See the full rankings →
Medians by bedroom

Rent by unit size

Studio
$2,015
1 BR
$2,155
2 BR
$2,455
3 BR
$3,165
4 BR+
$3,685
Fair Market Rent (HUD)
$2,455/mo

These are HUD Fair Market Rents, the payment standard for a Housing Choice Voucher (Section 8). They often differ from the $2,970 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
$35,640/yr
At $2,970/mo median
Rent Market Meter
Strong Landlord's Market
Renter's MarketBalancedLandlord's Market
Rents are up 9.8% year-over-year. Expect competition, and move quickly to lock in terms.
Based on rent-price momentum (+9.8% YoY, +2.5% MoM), not inventory.
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Demographics

Who lives here

Plainfield, IL is majority owner-occupied, has a large share of families with children, has a median income above the national average, 56% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

Population
46,708
Median income
$144,000
Median age
37.5
Renters
12%
Age distribution
28.5%
17.9%
32.2%
Under 1828.5%
18–3417.9%
35–5432.2%
55–6411.5%
65+9.9%
Gender
50.2%
49.8%
Male50.2%
Female49.8%
Race & ethnicity
68.6%
White68.6%
Black9.9%
Hispanic9.6%
Asian10.6%
Other1.3%
Education (25+)
14.9%
25.1%
56%
No HS diploma4%
HS diploma14.9%
Some college25.1%
Bachelor's+56%
Housing tenure
88%
Owner88%
Renter12%

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

2021 vs 2026

How Plainfield, IL has changed in 5 years

Rent
$1,975 → $2,970
up 50.4%
Income
$134,814 → $144,000
up 6.8%
Population
44,296 → 46,708
up 5.4%
Renter share
9.1% → 12%
+2.9 pts
Bachelor's+
55.5% → 56%
+0.5 pts

Rent in Plainfield, IL has climbed 50.4% since 2021, going from about $1,975 per month to roughly $2,970 today. Local incomes tracked alongside that move, going from a median of $134,814 in 2021 to $144,000 more recently. Rent outpaced income growth by roughly 43.6 percentage points, which means renters are spending a larger slice of each paycheck on housing than they did in 2021. Headcount in the area went from 44,296 to 46,708 between 2021 and 2024, a 5.4% change. About 12% of households rent today, against 9.1% in 2021. These shifts give renters and would-be renters a longer baseline for sizing up today's listings against the Plainfield, IL market of 2021.

Community

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

Can you afford rent in Plainfield on your salary?

At $2,970/mo, how Plainfield rent compares to typical pay (30% rule).

By apartment size

Plainfield rent by bedroom count

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

Local insights

Tips for renters in Plainfield

About renting in Plainfield, IL

Last updated: August 17, 2026

The median rent in Plainfield is $2,970/mo as of August 2026. A studio apartment averages $2,015/mo while a 2-bedroom runs $2,455/mo. One-bedroom apartments average $2,155/mo and 3-bedroom units go for $3,165/mo.

At 25% of local median household income ($144,000/yr), Plainfield ranks as affordable compared to the national benchmark of 30%. Rents have increased 9.8% over the past year.

FAQ

Frequently asked questions

Is Plainfield an affordable city for renters?

Plainfield is considered affordable for renters. At $2,970/mo, rent takes approximately 25% of the local median household income ($144,000/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%. Plainfield falls comfortably within that range.

How much income do you need to rent in Plainfield?

To keep rent at or below 30% of gross income, you would need to earn at least $119,000/year (~$57/hour full-time) to afford the median rent of $2,970/mo in Plainfield. The local median household income is $144,000/yr, meaning the typical Plainfield household meets that threshold.

Is rent going up or down in Plainfield?

Rent in Plainfield has increased 9.8% over the past year as of August 2026, putting upward pressure on renter budgets.

Which Plainfield neighborhoods have the lowest rent?

The most affordable ZIP codes in Plainfield are 60544 ($2,612/mo), and 60586 ($2,990/mo). Citywide, the median rent in Plainfield is $2,970/mo.

How does Plainfield rent compare to other cities in Illinois?

Plainfield is one of the pricier cities in Illinois for rent, ranking #4 out of 142 tracked cities at $2,970/mo.

Which nearby cities are cheaper to rent in than Plainfield?

Several nearby cities have lower median rents than Plainfield ($2,970/mo): Joliet ($1,621/mo), Romeoville ($2,124/mo), Naperville ($2,298/mo).

What percentage of Plainfield residents rent vs. own?

According to Census data, approximately 12% of Plainfield households are renters, while 88% are owner-occupied. Plainfield leans toward homeownership, which can mean a smaller rental inventory.

How does Plainfield rent compare to the national average?

Plainfield's median rent of $2,970/mo is $1,008 (51%) above the US national median of $1,962/mo. Within Illinois, it ranks #4 out of 142 tracked cities.
Income Affordability
25%
AFFORDABLE

At $2,970/mo, rent takes ~25% of Plainfield's median household income ($144,000/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%.

Plainfield 25%Benchmark 30%
State income tax4.95%
Run the Plainfield affordability calculator →
Lowest-rent ZIP codes in Plainfield
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Neighborhoods

Estimated from ZIP-level data

Schools nearby

Public schools near Plainfield, IL

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