1-Bedroom Apartment Rent in Waukegan, IL
Median asking rent for a 1-bedroom apartment in Waukegan, Illinois as of August 2026. That's +17% lower than the citywide median of $1,678 and in line with the national 1-bedroom median of $1,395.
Income needed for a 1-bedroom in Waukegan
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 Waukegan
Compare Waukegan's median rent across every apartment size.
Cheapest cities for a 1-bedroom in Illinois
| # | City | 1-Bedroom rent |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Carbondale | $530 |
| 2 | Round Lake Beach | $650 |
| 3 | Charleston | $720 |
| 4 | Pekin | $720 |
| 5 | Quincy | $730 |
| 6 | Macomb | $740 |
| 7 | Danville | $770 |
| 8 | Dixon | $770 |
| 9 | Peoria Heights | $770 |
| 10 | Marion | $780 |
| 11 | Normal | $790 |
| 12 | Decatur | $800 |
| 13 | Rock Island | $800 |
| 14 | Peoria | $813 |
| 15 | Moline | $820 |
Most expensive cities for a 1-bedroom in Illinois
| # | City | 1-Bedroom rent |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Morton Grove | $2,340 |
| 2 | Deerfield | $2,340 |
| 3 | Barrington | $2,340 |
| 4 | Wilmette | $2,240 |
| 5 | Buffalo Grove | $2,240 |
| 6 | Highland Park | $2,210 |
| 7 | Plainfield | $2,155 |
| 8 | Naperville | $2,113 |
| 9 | Vernon Hills | $2,110 |
| 10 | Streamwood | $2,110 |
| 11 | Northbrook | $2,100 |
| 12 | Bartlett | $2,070 |
| 13 | Bolingbrook | $2,060 |
| 14 | Romeoville | $2,050 |
| 15 | Elmhurst | $2,050 |
Nearby cities — 1-bedroom rent
Considering nearby alternatives? 3 of these cities have cheaper 1-bedroom rents than Waukegan.
| City | Distance | 1-Bedroom rent | vs Waukegan |
|---|---|---|---|
| Gurnee, IL | 5.5 mi | $1,740 | +$350 (+25%) |
| Zion, IL | 5.7 mi | $1,360 | $-30 (-2%) |
| Lake Bluff, IL | 6.4 mi | $1,860 | +$470 (+34%) |
| Libertyville, IL | 8.5 mi | $1,830 | +$440 (+32%) |
| Vernon Hills, IL | 12 mi | $2,110 | +$720 (+52%) |
| Grayslake, IL | 13.1 mi | $1,740 | +$350 (+25%) |
| Kenosha, WI | 13.2 mi | $1,133 | $-257 (-18%) |
| Highland Park, IL | 13.7 mi | $2,210 | +$820 (+59%) |
| Deerfield, IL | 14.1 mi | $2,340 | +$950 (+68%) |
| Mundelein, IL | 14.5 mi | $1,770 | +$380 (+27%) |
| Round Lake Beach, IL | 15.9 mi | $650 | $-740 (-53%) |
| Buffalo Grove, IL | 16.2 mi | $2,240 | +$850 (+61%) |
1-Bedroom rent in Waukegan — common questions
How much is a 1-bedroom apartment in Waukegan?
As of August 2026, the median 1-bedroom apartment rent in Waukegan, Illinois is $1,390 per month. This is +17% below the citywide median of $1,678.
What income do you need to afford a 1-bedroom in Waukegan?
Using the standard 30% rent-to-income rule, you would need an annual income of about $55,600 ($4,633/month gross), which works out to roughly $26.73/hour at a full-time job.
Is Waukegan expensive for a 1-bedroom compared to the rest of the US?
Waukegan's 1-bedroom median of $1,390 is right at the national 1-bedroom median of $1,395. It ranks in the 49th percentile of US cities tracked.
How does Waukegan rank for 1-bedroom rent in Illinois?
Among the 141 cities in Illinois with 1-bedroom data, Waukegan ranks #60 from cheapest to most expensive.
Are there cheaper 1-bedroom options near Waukegan?
Yes — nearby cities with cheaper 1-bedroom rents include Zion ($1,360), Kenosha ($1,133), Round Lake Beach ($650).