1-Bedroom Apartment Rent in Waterloo, IL
Median asking rent for a 1-bedroom apartment in Waterloo, Illinois as of March 2026. That's +35% lower than the citywide median of $1,350 and +37% below the national 1-bedroom median of $1,395.
Income needed for a 1-bedroom in Waterloo
Using the standard 30% rent-to-income guideline (the threshold above which households are considered rent-burdened), here's what you need to earn to comfortably afford a 1-bedroom at the current median rent.
Rent by apartment size in Waterloo
Compare Waterloo's median rent across every apartment size.
Cheapest cities for a 1-bedroom in Illinois
| # | City | 1-Bedroom rent |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Carbondale | $515 |
| 2 | Round Lake Beach | $650 |
| 3 | Charleston | $720 |
| 4 | Pekin | $720 |
| 5 | Quincy | $730 |
| 6 | East Peoria | $740 |
| 7 | Macomb | $740 |
| 8 | Danville | $770 |
| 9 | Dixon | $770 |
| 10 | Peoria Heights | $770 |
| 11 | Marion | $780 |
| 12 | Normal | $790 |
| 13 | Decatur | $800 |
| 14 | Rock Island | $800 |
| 15 | Peoria | $813 |
Most expensive cities for a 1-bedroom in Illinois
| # | City | 1-Bedroom rent |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Morton Grove | $2,340 |
| 2 | Lake Forest | $2,340 |
| 3 | Deerfield | $2,340 |
| 4 | Barrington | $2,340 |
| 5 | Wilmette | $2,240 |
| 6 | Buffalo Grove | $2,240 |
| 7 | Highland Park | $2,210 |
| 8 | Plainfield | $2,155 |
| 9 | Naperville | $2,113 |
| 10 | Vernon Hills | $2,110 |
| 11 | Streamwood | $2,110 |
| 12 | Northbrook | $2,100 |
| 13 | Bartlett | $2,070 |
| 14 | Bolingbrook | $2,060 |
| 15 | Romeoville | $2,050 |
Nearby cities — 1-bedroom rent
Considering nearby alternatives? 1 of these cities have cheaper 1-bedroom rents than Waterloo.
| City | Distance | 1-Bedroom rent | vs Waterloo |
|---|---|---|---|
| Oakville, MO | 14.9 mi | $970 | +$90 (+10%) |
| Mehlville, MO | 17.2 mi | $966 | +$86 (+10%) |
| Belleville, IL | 17.2 mi | $907 | +$27 (+3%) |
| Cahokia, IL | 18 mi | $970 | +$90 (+10%) |
| Arnold, MO | 18.1 mi | $1,000 | +$120 (+14%) |
| Swansea, IL | 19.4 mi | $978 | +$98 (+11%) |
| Concord, MO | 20 mi | $1,000 | +$120 (+14%) |
| Festus, MO | 20 mi | $880 | — |
| Affton, MO | 20.1 mi | $960 | +$80 (+9%) |
| Sappington, MO | 20.6 mi | $850 | $-30 (-3%) |
| Fairview Heights, IL | 22.3 mi | $1,070 | +$190 (+22%) |
| Saint Louis, MO | 22.4 mi | $1,005 | +$125 (+14%) |
1-Bedroom rent in Waterloo — common questions
How much is a 1-bedroom apartment in Waterloo?
As of March 2026, the median 1-bedroom apartment rent in Waterloo, Illinois is $880 per month. This is +35% below the citywide median of $1,350.
What income do you need to afford a 1-bedroom in Waterloo?
Using the standard 30% rent-to-income rule, you would need an annual income of about $35,200 ($2,933/month gross), which works out to roughly $16.92/hour at a full-time job.
Is Waterloo expensive for a 1-bedroom compared to the rest of the US?
Waterloo's 1-bedroom median of $880 is +37% below the national 1-bedroom median of $1,395. It ranks in the 12th percentile of US cities tracked.
How does Waterloo rank for 1-bedroom rent in Illinois?
Among the 157 cities in Illinois with 1-bedroom data, Waterloo ranks #32 from cheapest to most expensive.
Are there cheaper 1-bedroom options near Waterloo?
Yes — nearby cities with cheaper 1-bedroom rents include Sappington ($850).