Studio Apartment Rent in Waterloo, IL
Median asking rent for a studio apartment in Waterloo, Illinois as of March 2026. That's +38% lower than the citywide median of $1,350 and +35% below the national studio median of $1,290.
Income needed for a studio 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 studio at the current median rent.
Rent by apartment size in Waterloo
Compare Waterloo's median rent across every apartment size.
Cheapest cities for a studio in Illinois
| # | City | Studio rent |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Carbondale | $451 |
| 2 | Dixon | $610 |
| 3 | Charleston | $640 |
| 4 | Quincy | $650 |
| 5 | Macomb | $660 |
| 6 | Pekin | $660 |
| 7 | East Peoria | $670 |
| 8 | Rock Island | $680 |
| 9 | Danville | $690 |
| 10 | Moline | $700 |
| 11 | Peoria Heights | $700 |
| 12 | Normal | $720 |
| 13 | Peoria | $738 |
| 14 | Springfield | $750 |
| 15 | Washington | $750 |
Most expensive cities for a studio in Illinois
| # | City | Studio rent |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Morton Grove | $2,190 |
| 2 | Lake Forest | $2,190 |
| 3 | Deerfield | $2,190 |
| 4 | Barrington | $2,190 |
| 5 | Wilmette | $2,100 |
| 6 | Buffalo Grove | $2,100 |
| 7 | Highland Park | $2,060 |
| 8 | Plainfield | $2,015 |
| 9 | Naperville | $1,978 |
| 10 | Vernon Hills | $1,970 |
| 11 | Streamwood | $1,970 |
| 12 | Northbrook | $1,960 |
| 13 | Bartlett | $1,940 |
| 14 | Bolingbrook | $1,925 |
| 15 | Romeoville | $1,910 |
Nearby cities — studio rent
Most nearby cities have similar or higher studio rents than Waterloo.
| City | Distance | Studio rent | vs Waterloo |
|---|---|---|---|
| Oakville, MO | 14.9 mi | $940 | +$100 (+12%) |
| Mehlville, MO | 17.2 mi | $1,122 | +$282 (+34%) |
| Belleville, IL | 17.2 mi | $873 | +$33 (+4%) |
| Cahokia, IL | 18 mi | $940 | +$100 (+12%) |
| Arnold, MO | 18.1 mi | $960 | +$120 (+14%) |
| Swansea, IL | 19.4 mi | $1,225 | +$385 (+46%) |
| Concord, MO | 20 mi | $960 | +$120 (+14%) |
| Festus, MO | 20 mi | $850 | +$10 (+1%) |
| Affton, MO | 20.1 mi | $920 | +$80 (+10%) |
| Fairview Heights, IL | 22.3 mi | $1,030 | +$190 (+23%) |
| Saint Louis, MO | 22.4 mi | $967 | +$127 (+15%) |
| Shiloh, IL | 22.4 mi | $960 | +$120 (+14%) |
Studio rent in Waterloo — common questions
How much is a studio apartment in Waterloo?
As of March 2026, the median studio apartment rent in Waterloo, Illinois is $840 per month. This is +38% below the citywide median of $1,350.
What income do you need to afford a studio in Waterloo?
Using the standard 30% rent-to-income rule, you would need an annual income of about $33,600 ($2,800/month gross), which works out to roughly $16.15/hour at a full-time job.
Is Waterloo expensive for a studio compared to the rest of the US?
Waterloo's studio median of $840 is +35% below the national studio median of $1,290. It ranks in the 14th percentile of US cities tracked.
How does Waterloo rank for studio rent in Illinois?
Among the 156 cities in Illinois with studio data, Waterloo ranks #30 from cheapest to most expensive.
Are there cheaper studio options near Waterloo?
Most nearby cities have similar or higher studio rents than Waterloo.