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City Report · IL

Sycamore

Pop. 18,559·104th most expensive in Illinois·Rental market data updated monthly for Sycamore, IL
Median rent (all units)
$1,435/mo
Year-over-Year
Stable
Month-over-Month
-7.0%
vs US Median
-$527
Falling (Monthly)
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Most AffordableMost Expensive
Sycamore · $1,435
More affordable than 79% of US cities · National median $1,962/mo
Affordability
20% of income
VERY AFFORDABLE
0%30% benchmark60%+

At $1,435/mo, rent takes about 20% of the local median household income, comfortably within the 30% benchmark.

Income to afford
$57,000/yr
Local median income
$84,120/yr
Based on the 30%-of-income rule using Sycamore's median rent and household income. See the full affordability breakdown →
Medians by bedroom

Rent by unit size

Studio
$970
1 BR
$1,080
2 BR
$1,410
3 BR
$1,920
4 BR+
$2,370
Fair Market Rent (HUD)
$1,410/mo

These are HUD Fair Market Rents, the payment standard for a Housing Choice Voucher (Section 8). They often differ from the $1,435 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
$17,220/yr
At $1,435/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, -7.0% MoM), not inventory.
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Demographics

Who lives here

Sycamore, IL is majority owner-occupied, 46% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

Population
18,559
Median income
$84,120
Median age
36.1
Renters
28.4%
Age distribution
23.5%
25.1%
25.9%
12.2%
13.2%
Under 1823.5%
18–3425.1%
35–5425.9%
55–6412.2%
65+13.2%
Gender
48.1%
51.9%
Male48.1%
Female51.9%
Race & ethnicity
83.9%
White83.9%
Black3.2%
Hispanic11.3%
Asian1.9%
Education (25+)
20.3%
30.3%
46%
No HS diploma3.4%
HS diploma20.3%
Some college30.3%
Bachelor's+46%
Housing tenure
71.6%
28.4%
Owner71.6%
Renter28.4%

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

2021 vs 2026

How Sycamore, IL has changed in 5 years

Income
$73,475 → $84,120
up 14.5%
Population
18,144 → 18,559
up 2.3%
Renter share
33.5% → 28.4%
-5.1 pts
Bachelor's+
43.7% → 46%
+2.3 pts
Median age
37.2 → 36.1
-1.1 yrs

Household income in the area moved from $73,475 to $84,120 across the same window, up 14.5% versus 2021. Headcount in the area went from 18,144 to 18,559 between 2021 and 2024, a 2.3% change. About 28.4% of households rent today, against 33.5% in 2021. Educational attainment has shifted as well, with the share of adults holding a bachelor's degree or higher climbed from 43.7% to 46%.

Community

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

Can you afford rent in Sycamore on your salary?

At $1,435/mo, how Sycamore rent compares to typical pay (30% rule).

By apartment size

Sycamore rent by bedroom count

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

Local insights

Tips for renters in Sycamore

About renting in Sycamore, IL

Last updated: August 17, 2026

The median rent in Sycamore is $1,435/mo as of August 2026. A studio apartment averages $970/mo while a 2-bedroom runs $1,410/mo. One-bedroom apartments average $1,080/mo and 3-bedroom units go for $1,920/mo.

At 20% of local median household income ($84,120/yr), Sycamore ranks as affordable compared to the national benchmark of 30%. Rent prices have stayed steady over the past year.

FAQ

Frequently asked questions

Is Sycamore an affordable city for renters?

Sycamore is considered very affordable for renters. At $1,435/mo, rent takes approximately 20% of the local median household income ($84,120/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%. Sycamore falls comfortably within that range.

How much income do you need to rent in Sycamore?

To keep rent at or below 30% of gross income, you would need to earn at least $57,000/year (~$27/hour full-time) to afford the median rent of $1,435/mo in Sycamore. The local median household income is $84,120/yr, meaning the typical Sycamore household meets that threshold.

Is rent going up or down in Sycamore?

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

How does Sycamore rent compare to other cities in Illinois?

Sycamore is one of the more affordable cities in Illinois for rent, ranking #104 out of 142 tracked cities at $1,435/mo.

Which nearby cities are cheaper to rent in than Sycamore?

Dekalb is nearby and more affordable at $1,394/mo, which is $41 less than Sycamore.

What percentage of Sycamore residents rent vs. own?

According to Census data, approximately 28.4% of Sycamore households are renters, while 71.6% are owner-occupied. Sycamore leans toward homeownership, which can mean a smaller rental inventory.

How does Sycamore rent compare to the national average?

Sycamore's median rent of $1,435/mo is $527 (27%) below the US national median of $1,962/mo. Within Illinois, it ranks #104 out of 142 tracked cities.
Income Affordability
20%
VERY AFFORDABLE

At $1,435/mo, rent takes ~20% of Sycamore's median household income ($84,120/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%.

Sycamore 20%Benchmark 30%
State income tax4.95%
Run the Sycamore affordability calculator →
Lowest-rent ZIP codes in Sycamore
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Neighborhoods

Estimated from ZIP-level data

Schools nearby

Public schools near Sycamore, IL

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