2-Bedroom Apartment Rent in Waukegan, IL
Median asking rent for a 2-bedroom apartment in Waukegan, Illinois as of August 2026. That's +7% lower than the citywide median of $1,678 and +5% below the national 2-bedroom median of $1,655.
Income needed for a 2-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 2-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 2-bedroom in Illinois
| # | City | 2-Bedroom rent |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Carbondale | $670 |
| 2 | Dixon | $870 |
| 3 | Pekin | $920 |
| 4 | Charleston | $930 |
| 5 | Quincy | $950 |
| 6 | Macomb | $960 |
| 7 | Peoria Heights | $980 |
| 8 | Rantoul | $980 |
| 9 | Rock Island | $990 |
| 10 | Decatur | $995 |
| 11 | Danville | $1,010 |
| 12 | Moline | $1,010 |
| 13 | Normal | $1,010 |
| 14 | Savoy | $1,010 |
| 15 | Pontoon Beach | $1,014 |
Most expensive cities for a 2-bedroom in Illinois
| # | City | 2-Bedroom rent |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Morton Grove | $2,640 |
| 2 | Deerfield | $2,640 |
| 3 | Barrington | $2,640 |
| 4 | Wilmette | $2,530 |
| 5 | Buffalo Grove | $2,530 |
| 6 | Highland Park | $2,490 |
| 7 | Plainfield | $2,455 |
| 8 | Naperville | $2,388 |
| 9 | Vernon Hills | $2,380 |
| 10 | Streamwood | $2,380 |
| 11 | Northbrook | $2,370 |
| 12 | Bartlett | $2,340 |
| 13 | Bolingbrook | $2,325 |
| 14 | Romeoville | $2,310 |
| 15 | Elmhurst | $2,310 |
Nearby cities — 2-bedroom rent
Considering nearby alternatives? 3 of these cities have cheaper 2-bedroom rents than Waukegan.
| City | Distance | 2-Bedroom rent | vs Waukegan |
|---|---|---|---|
| Gurnee, IL | 5.5 mi | $1,970 | +$405 (+26%) |
| Zion, IL | 5.7 mi | $1,540 | $-25 (-2%) |
| Lake Bluff, IL | 6.4 mi | $2,100 | +$535 (+34%) |
| Libertyville, IL | 8.5 mi | $2,070 | +$505 (+32%) |
| Vernon Hills, IL | 12 mi | $2,380 | +$815 (+52%) |
| Grayslake, IL | 13.1 mi | $1,970 | +$405 (+26%) |
| Kenosha, WI | 13.2 mi | $1,477 | $-88 (-6%) |
| Highland Park, IL | 13.7 mi | $2,490 | +$925 (+59%) |
| Deerfield, IL | 14.1 mi | $2,640 | +$1,075 (+69%) |
| Mundelein, IL | 14.5 mi | $2,000 | +$435 (+28%) |
| Round Lake Beach, IL | 15.9 mi | $1,468 | $-97 (-6%) |
| Buffalo Grove, IL | 16.2 mi | $2,530 | +$965 (+62%) |
2-Bedroom rent in Waukegan — common questions
How much is a 2-bedroom apartment in Waukegan?
As of August 2026, the median 2-bedroom apartment rent in Waukegan, Illinois is $1,565 per month. This is +7% below the citywide median of $1,678.
What income do you need to afford a 2-bedroom in Waukegan?
Using the standard 30% rent-to-income rule, you would need an annual income of about $62,600 ($5,217/month gross), which works out to roughly $30.10/hour at a full-time job.
Is Waukegan expensive for a 2-bedroom compared to the rest of the US?
Waukegan's 2-bedroom median of $1,565 is +5% below the national 2-bedroom median of $1,655. It ranks in the 44th percentile of US cities tracked.
How does Waukegan rank for 2-bedroom rent in Illinois?
Among the 142 cities in Illinois with 2-bedroom data, Waukegan ranks #58 from cheapest to most expensive.
Are there cheaper 2-bedroom options near Waukegan?
Yes — nearby cities with cheaper 2-bedroom rents include Zion ($1,540), Kenosha ($1,477), Round Lake Beach ($1,468).