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City Report · IL

Rantoul

Pop. 12,421·139th most expensive in Illinois·Rantoul rents are up 7.6% over the past year
Median rent (all units)
$853/mo
Year-over-Year
+7.6%
Month-over-Month
+5.6%
vs US Median
-$1,109
Rising (Monthly)
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Most AffordableMost Expensive
Rantoul · $853
More affordable than 99% of US cities · National median $1,962/mo
Affordability
21% of income
VERY AFFORDABLE
0%30% benchmark60%+

At $853/mo, rent takes about 21% of the local median household income, comfortably within the 30% benchmark.

Income to afford
$34,000/yr
Local median income
$48,691/yr
Based on the 30%-of-income rule using Rantoul's median rent and household income. See the full affordability breakdown →
Medians by bedroom

Rent by unit size

Studio
$820
1 BR
$830
2 BR
$980
3 BR
$1,270
4 BR+
$1,300
Fair Market Rent (HUD)
$980/mo

These are HUD Fair Market Rents, the payment standard for a Housing Choice Voucher (Section 8). They often differ from the $853 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
$10,236/yr
At $853/mo median
Rent Market Meter
Strong Landlord's Market
Renter's MarketBalancedLandlord's Market
Rents are up 7.6% year-over-year. Expect competition, and move quickly to lock in terms.
Based on rent-price momentum (+7.6% YoY, +5.6% MoM), not inventory.
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Demographics

Who lives here

Rantoul, IL is roughly split between renters and owners, has a large share of families with children, has a median income below the national average, 12.4% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

Population
12,421
Median income
$48,691
Median age
36.6
Renters
45%
Age distribution
25.7%
20.4%
24.5%
14.8%
14.6%
Under 1825.7%
18–3420.4%
35–5424.5%
55–6414.8%
65+14.6%
Gender
47%
53%
Male47%
Female53%
Race & ethnicity
52.8%
17.9%
20.1%
White52.8%
Black17.9%
Hispanic20.1%
Asian0.8%
Other8.3%
Education (25+)
44.6%
36.1%
12.4%
No HS diploma6.9%
HS diploma44.6%
Some college36.1%
Bachelor's+12.4%
Housing tenure
55%
45%
Owner55%
Renter45%

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

2021 vs 2026

How Rantoul, IL has changed in 5 years

Income
$44,130 → $48,691
up 10.3%
Population
12,766 → 12,421
down 2.7%
Renter share
49.1% → 45%
-4.1 pts
Bachelor's+
16% → 12.4%
-3.6 pts
Median age
35 → 36.6
+1.6 yrs

On the earnings side, the typical household in Rantoul, IL now reports about $48,691, up from $44,130 in 2021. Census counts show Rantoul, IL losing about 345 residents over the five-year window, down 2.7% on net. The renter share has eased from 49.1% to 45%, with owner-occupied housing accounting for the remainder. Bachelor's-degree-or-higher attainment moved from 16% to 12.4% across the same window.

Community

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

Can you afford rent in Rantoul on your salary?

At $853/mo, how Rantoul rent compares to typical pay (30% rule).

By apartment size

Rantoul rent by bedroom count

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

Local insights

Tips for renters in Rantoul

About renting in Rantoul, IL

Last updated: August 17, 2026

The median rent in Rantoul is $853/mo as of August 2026. A studio apartment averages $820/mo while a 2-bedroom runs $980/mo. One-bedroom apartments average $830/mo and 3-bedroom units go for $1,270/mo.

At 21% of local median household income ($48,691/yr), Rantoul ranks as affordable compared to the national benchmark of 30%. Rents have increased 7.6% over the past year.

FAQ

Frequently asked questions

Is Rantoul an affordable city for renters?

Rantoul is considered very affordable for renters. At $853/mo, rent takes approximately 21% of the local median household income ($48,691/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%. Rantoul falls comfortably within that range.

How much income do you need to rent in Rantoul?

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 $853/mo in Rantoul. The local median household income is $48,691/yr, meaning the typical Rantoul household meets that threshold.

Is rent going up or down in Rantoul?

Rent in Rantoul has increased 7.6% over the past year as of August 2026, putting upward pressure on renter budgets.

How does Rantoul rent compare to other cities in Illinois?

Rantoul is one of the more affordable cities in Illinois for rent, ranking #139 out of 142 tracked cities at $853/mo.

What percentage of Rantoul residents rent vs. own?

According to Census data, approximately 45% of Rantoul households are renters, while 55% are owner-occupied. Rantoul leans toward homeownership, which can mean a smaller rental inventory.

How does Rantoul rent compare to the national average?

Rantoul's median rent of $853/mo is $1,109 (57%) below the US national median of $1,962/mo. Within Illinois, it ranks #139 out of 142 tracked cities.
Income Affordability
21%
VERY AFFORDABLE

At $853/mo, rent takes ~21% of Rantoul's median household income ($48,691/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%.

Rantoul 21%Benchmark 30%
State income tax4.95%
Run the Rantoul affordability calculator →
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Neighborhoods

Estimated from ZIP-level data

Schools nearby

Public schools near Rantoul, IL

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