3-Bedroom Apartment Rent in Waterloo, IL
Median asking rent for a 3-bedroom apartment in Waterloo, Illinois as of March 2026. That's +4% higher than the citywide median of $1,350 and +34% below the national 3-bedroom median of $2,130.
Income needed for a 3-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 3-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 3-bedroom in Illinois
| # | City | 3-Bedroom rent |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Carbondale | $850 |
| 2 | Pekin | $1,190 |
| 3 | Dixon | $1,210 |
| 4 | East Peoria | $1,220 |
| 5 | Macomb | $1,220 |
| 6 | Charleston | $1,230 |
| 7 | Danville | $1,230 |
| 8 | Quincy | $1,230 |
| 9 | Swansea | $1,243 |
| 10 | Peoria Heights | $1,270 |
| 11 | Rantoul | $1,270 |
| 12 | Rock Island | $1,290 |
| 13 | Decatur | $1,310 |
| 14 | Savoy | $1,310 |
| 15 | Moline | $1,320 |
Most expensive cities for a 3-bedroom in Illinois
| # | City | 3-Bedroom rent |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Morton Grove | $3,390 |
| 2 | Lake Forest | $3,390 |
| 3 | Deerfield | $3,390 |
| 4 | Barrington | $3,390 |
| 5 | Wilmette | $3,250 |
| 6 | Buffalo Grove | $3,250 |
| 7 | Highland Park | $3,200 |
| 8 | Plainfield | $3,165 |
| 9 | Naperville | $3,068 |
| 10 | Vernon Hills | $3,060 |
| 11 | Streamwood | $3,060 |
| 12 | Northbrook | $3,040 |
| 13 | Bartlett | $3,010 |
| 14 | Bolingbrook | $2,985 |
| 15 | Romeoville | $2,970 |
Nearby cities — 3-bedroom rent
Considering nearby alternatives? 1 of these cities have cheaper 3-bedroom rents than Waterloo.
| City | Distance | 3-Bedroom rent | vs Waterloo |
|---|---|---|---|
| Oakville, MO | 14.9 mi | $1,550 | +$140 (+10%) |
| Mehlville, MO | 17.2 mi | $1,781 | +$371 (+26%) |
| Belleville, IL | 17.2 mi | $1,447 | +$37 (+3%) |
| Cahokia, IL | 18 mi | $1,550 | +$140 (+10%) |
| Arnold, MO | 18.1 mi | $1,590 | +$180 (+13%) |
| Swansea, IL | 19.4 mi | $1,243 | $-167 (-12%) |
| Concord, MO | 20 mi | $1,590 | +$180 (+13%) |
| Festus, MO | 20 mi | $1,410 | — |
| Affton, MO | 20.1 mi | $1,520 | +$110 (+8%) |
| Sappington, MO | 20.6 mi | $2,324 | +$914 (+65%) |
| Fairview Heights, IL | 22.3 mi | $1,710 | +$300 (+21%) |
| Saint Louis, MO | 22.4 mi | $1,605 | +$195 (+14%) |
3-Bedroom rent in Waterloo — common questions
How much is a 3-bedroom apartment in Waterloo?
As of March 2026, the median 3-bedroom apartment rent in Waterloo, Illinois is $1,410 per month. This is +4% higher than the citywide median of $1,350.
What income do you need to afford a 3-bedroom in Waterloo?
Using the standard 30% rent-to-income rule, you would need an annual income of about $56,400 ($4,700/month gross), which works out to roughly $27.12/hour at a full-time job.
Is Waterloo expensive for a 3-bedroom compared to the rest of the US?
Waterloo's 3-bedroom median of $1,410 is +34% below the national 3-bedroom median of $2,130. It ranks in the 12th percentile of US cities tracked.
How does Waterloo rank for 3-bedroom rent in Illinois?
Among the 158 cities in Illinois with 3-bedroom data, Waterloo ranks #25 from cheapest to most expensive.
Are there cheaper 3-bedroom options near Waterloo?
Yes — nearby cities with cheaper 3-bedroom rents include Swansea ($1,243).