RentDataNowRentDataNow
City Report · IL

Rock Island

Pop. 36,151·137th most expensive in Illinois·Rock Island rents have dropped 15.5%, currently a renter's market
Median rent (all units)
$918/mo
Year-over-Year
-15.5%
Month-over-Month
-3.1%
vs US Median
-$1,047
Falling (Monthly)
Be the first to discuss Rock Island rents ↓
Most AffordableMost Expensive
Rock Island · $918
More affordable than 99% of US cities · National median $1,965/mo
Rent Reality Score
92/100
Great value
OverheatedFairGreat value

Rents are 21% below what Rock Island's 10-year trend predicts — a better deal than its own history suggests.

Actual rent
$918/mo
Expected by trend
$1,160/mo
The Rent Reality Score compares today's median rent to where Rock Island's own long-run trajectory projects it should be. See the full rankings →
Medians by bedroom

Rent by unit size

Studio
$680
1 BR
$800
2 BR
$990
3 BR
$1,290
4 BR+
$1,520
Research median
$990/mo

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

Rent trends

12-month history

Loading…

Last updated: July 20, 2026

Annual cost
$11,016/yr
At $918/mo median
Rent Market Meter
Strong Renter's Market
Renter's MarketBalancedLandlord's Market
Rents are down 15.5% year-over-year. Push hard on price, concessions, and lease terms.
Based on rent-price momentum (-15.5% YoY, -3.1% MoM), not inventory.
Rent check

Is your rent fair?

Compare your rent to the local median.

Demographics

Who lives here

Rock Island, IL is majority owner-occupied, has a median income below the national average, 24.5% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

Population
36,151
Median income
$59,041
Median age
37.4
Renters
35.2%
Age distribution
21%
27%
20.9%
12.3%
18.8%
Under 1821%
18–3427%
35–5420.9%
55–6412.3%
65+18.8%
Gender
49.8%
50.2%
Male49.8%
Female50.2%
Race & ethnicity
65%
17.2%
13.3%
White65%
Black17.2%
Hispanic13.3%
Asian3.8%
Other0.7%
Education (25+)
31.2%
34.6%
24.5%
No HS diploma9.6%
HS diploma31.2%
Some college34.6%
Bachelor's+24.5%
Housing tenure
64.8%
35.2%
Owner64.8%
Renter35.2%

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

2021 vs 2026

How Rock Island, IL has changed in 5 years

Income
$50,965 → $59,041
up 15.8%
Population
37,519 → 36,151
down 3.6%
Renter share
38.9% → 35.2%
-3.7 pts
Bachelor's+
21.9% → 24.5%
+2.6 pts
Median age
35.4 → 37.4
+2.0 yrs

Census figures show median household income at $59,041 today, compared with $50,965 five years earlier. Headcount in the area went from 37,519 to 36,151 between 2021 and 2024, a 3.6% change. About 35.2% of households rent today, against 38.9% in 2021. Educational attainment has shifted as well, with the share of adults holding a bachelor's degree or higher climbed from 21.9% to 24.5%.

Community

Discussions about Rock Island

No discussions yet. Start the conversation.

View Rock Island rent history (2015–2026) →
Salary vs rent

Can you afford rent in Rock Island on your salary?

At $918/mo, how Rock Island rent compares to typical pay (30% rule).

By apartment size

Rock Island rent by bedroom count

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

Local insights

Tips for renters in Rock Island

About renting in Rock Island, IL

Last updated: July 20, 2026

The median rent in Rock Island is $918/mo as of July 2026. A studio apartment averages $680/mo while a 2-bedroom runs $990/mo. One-bedroom apartments average $800/mo and 3-bedroom units go for $1,290/mo.

At 19% of local median household income ($59,041/yr), Rock Island ranks as affordable compared to the national benchmark of 30%. Rents have decreased 15.5% over the past year.

FAQ

Frequently asked questions

Is Rock Island an affordable city for renters?

Rock Island is considered very affordable for renters. At $918/mo, rent takes approximately 19% of the local median household income ($59,041/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%. Rock Island falls comfortably within that range.

How much income do you need to rent in Rock Island?

To keep rent at or below 30% of gross income, you would need to earn at least $37,000/year (~$18/hour full-time) to afford the median rent of $918/mo in Rock Island. The local median household income is $59,041/yr, meaning the typical Rock Island household meets that threshold.

Is rent going up or down in Rock Island?

Rent in Rock Island has decreased 15.5% over the past year as of July 2026, offering some relief compared to 12 months ago.

How does Rock Island rent compare to other cities in Illinois?

Rock Island is one of the more affordable cities in Illinois for rent, ranking #137 out of 142 tracked cities at $918/mo.

Which nearby cities are cheaper to rent in than Rock Island?

Clinton is nearby and more affordable at $792/mo, which is $126 less than Rock Island.

What percentage of Rock Island residents rent vs. own?

According to Census data, approximately 35.2% of Rock Island households are renters, while 64.8% are owner-occupied. Rock Island leans toward homeownership, which can mean a smaller rental inventory.

How does Rock Island rent compare to the national average?

Rock Island's median rent of $918/mo is $1,047 (53%) below the US national median of $1,965/mo. Within Illinois, it ranks #137 out of 142 tracked cities.
Income Affordability
19%
VERY AFFORDABLE

At $918/mo, rent takes ~19% of Rock Island's median household income ($59,041/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%.

Rock Island 19%Benchmark 30%
State income tax4.95%
Run the Rock Island affordability calculator →
Lowest-rent ZIP codes in Rock Island
Compare

How does this area stack up?

Pick another city or ZIP to compare.

Neighborhoods

Estimated from ZIP-level data

Schools nearby

Public schools near Rock Island, IL

Recent submissions

Be the first to submit your rent for Rock Island.

Recent discussions

No discussions yet.