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

As of July 2026, the median monthly rent in Urbana, IL is $1,249. This figure is based on aggregated data from public sources and community-submitted rents.

Is Urbana cheaper than other Illinois cities?

Urbana is among the more affordable cities in Illinois, ranking #118 out of 142 cities at $1,249/mo.

When was Urbana rent data last updated?

Urbana 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

Urbana

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

Pop. 39,341·118th most expensive in Illinois·Urbana rents have dropped 10.0%, currently a renter's market

Median rent (all units)

$1,249/mo

Year-over-Year

-10.0%

Month-over-Month

-5.7%

vs US Median

-$716

Falling (Monthly)

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Most AffordableMost Expensive

Urbana · $1,249

More affordable than 90% of US cities · National median $1,965/mo

Rent Reality Score

69/100

Good value

OverheatedFairGreat value

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

Actual rent

$1,249/mo

Expected by trend

$1,382/mo

The Rent Reality Score compares today's median rent to where Urbana's own long-run trajectory projects it should be. See the full rankings →

Medians by bedroom

Rent by unit size

Studio

$870

1 BR

$875

2 BR

$1,040

3 BR

$1,355

4 BR+

$1,380

Research median

$1,040/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

$14,988/yr

At $1,249/mo median

Rent Market Meter

Strong Renter's Market

Renter's MarketBalancedLandlord's Market

Rents are down 10.0% year-over-year. Push hard on price, concessions, and lease terms.

Based on rent-price momentum (-10.0% YoY, -5.7% MoM), not inventory.

Rent check

Is your rent fair?

Compare your rent to the local median.

Demographics

Who lives here

Urbana, IL is majority renter-occupied, skews toward younger working-age adults, has a median income below the national average, 56.7% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

Population

39,341

Median income

$45,346

Median age

26.1

Renters

62.7%

Age distribution

13.2%

51.8%

16.7%

Under 1813.2%

18–3451.8%

35–5416.7%

55–646.8%

65+11.5%

Gender

51.6%

48.4%

Male51.6%

Female48.4%

Race & ethnicity

56.2%

18.7%

14.2%

White56.2%

Black18.7%

Hispanic10.1%

Asian14.2%

Other0.7%

Education (25+)

17.3%

20%

56.7%

No HS diploma5.9%

HS diploma17.3%

Some college20%

Bachelor's+56.7%

Housing tenure

37.3%

62.7%

Owner37.3%

Renter62.7%

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

2021 vs 2026

How Urbana, IL has changed in 5 years

Rent

$1,024 → $1,249

up 22.0%

Income

$37,701 → $45,346

up 20.3%

Population

39,189 → 39,341

up 0.4%

Renter share

66.2% → 62.7%

-3.5 pts

Bachelor's+

59.5% → 56.7%

-2.8 pts

Median age

25.2 → 26.1

+0.9 yrs

Five years ago, renters in Urbana, IL paid around $1,024 a month. That figure now sits near $1,249, up 22.0% from the 2021 baseline. Local incomes tracked alongside that move, going from a median of $37,701 in 2021 to $45,346 more recently. The renter share has eased from 66.2% to 62.7%, with owner-occupied housing accounting for the remainder. Bachelor's-degree-or-higher attainment moved from 59.5% to 56.7% across the same window. These shifts give renters and would-be renters a longer baseline for sizing up today's listings against the Urbana, IL market of 2021.

Community

Discussions about Urbana

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View Urbana rent history (2015–2026) →

Salary vs rent

Can you afford rent in Urbana on your salary?

At $1,249/mo, how Urbana rent compares to typical pay (30% rule).

Registered Nurse

Avg $96,370/yr · Rent = 15.6% income

very comfortable

Elementary School Teacher

Avg $68,422/yr · Rent = 21.9% income

affordable

Police Officer

Avg $78,815/yr · Rent = 19% income

very comfortable

Software Developer

Avg $140,872/yr · Rent = 10.6% income

very comfortable

Lawyer

Avg $179,999/yr · Rent = 8.3% income

very comfortable

Firefighter

Avg $64,066/yr · Rent = 23.4% income

affordable

Truck Driver

Avg $57,844/yr · Rent = 25.9% income

affordable

Electrician

Avg $71,298/yr · Rent = 21% income

affordable

By apartment size

Urbana rent by bedroom count

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

Local insights

Tips for renters in Urbana

About renting in Urbana, IL

Last updated: July 20, 2026

The median rent in Urbana is $1,249/mo as of July 2026. A studio apartment averages $870/mo while a 2-bedroom runs $1,040/mo. One-bedroom apartments average $875/mo and 3-bedroom units go for $1,355/mo.

At 33% of local median household income ($45,346/yr), Urbana ranks as moderate compared to the national benchmark of 30%. Rents have decreased 10.0% over the past year.

FAQ

Frequently asked questions

Is Urbana an affordable city for renters?

Urbana is considered moderate for renters. At $1,249/mo, rent takes approximately 33% of the local median household income ($45,346/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%. Urbana slightly exceeds that threshold, so budgeting carefully matters here.

How much income do you need to rent in Urbana?

To keep rent at or below 30% of gross income, you would need to earn at least $50,000/year (~$24/hour full-time) to afford the median rent of $1,249/mo in Urbana. The local median household income is $45,346/yr, meaning the typical Urbana household falls short of that threshold.

Is rent going up or down in Urbana?

Rent in Urbana has decreased 10.0% over the past year as of July 2026, offering some relief compared to 12 months ago.

Which Urbana neighborhoods have the lowest rent?

The most affordable ZIP codes in Urbana are 61801 ($1,216/mo), and 61802 ($1,305/mo). Citywide, the median rent in Urbana is $1,249/mo.

How does Urbana rent compare to other cities in Illinois?

Urbana is one of the more affordable cities in Illinois for rent, ranking #118 out of 142 tracked cities at $1,249/mo.

Which nearby cities are cheaper to rent in than Urbana?

Several nearby cities have lower median rents than Urbana ($1,249/mo): Rantoul ($808/mo), Danville ($867/mo).

What percentage of Urbana residents rent vs. own?

According to Census data, approximately 62.7% of Urbana households are renters, while 37.3% are owner-occupied. With a majority renter population, Urbana has a strong rental market.

How does Urbana rent compare to the national average?

Urbana's median rent of $1,249/mo is $716 (36%) below the US national median of $1,965/mo. Within Illinois, it ranks #118 out of 142 tracked cities.

Income Affordability

33%

MODERATE

At $1,249/mo, rent takes ~33% of Urbana's median household income ($45,346/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%.

Urbana 33%Benchmark 30%

State income tax4.95%

Run the Urbana affordability calculator →

Nearby cities