3-Bedroom Apartment Rent in Waukegan, IL
Median asking rent for a 3-bedroom apartment in Waukegan, Illinois as of July 2026. That's +22% higher than the citywide median of $1,648 and +6% below the national 3-bedroom median of $2,130.
Income needed for a 3-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 3-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 3-bedroom in Illinois
| # | City | 3-Bedroom rent |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Rantoul | $988 |
| 2 | Pekin | $1,190 |
| 3 | Dixon | $1,210 |
| 4 | Macomb | $1,220 |
| 5 | Charleston | $1,230 |
| 6 | Danville | $1,230 |
| 7 | Quincy | $1,230 |
| 8 | Swansea | $1,243 |
| 9 | Rock Island | $1,290 |
| 10 | Decatur | $1,310 |
| 11 | Savoy | $1,310 |
| 12 | Carbondale | $1,320 |
| 13 | Moline | $1,320 |
| 14 | Peoria | $1,340 |
| 15 | Urbana | $1,355 |
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? 3 of these cities have cheaper 3-bedroom rents than Waukegan.
| City | Distance | 3-Bedroom rent | vs Waukegan |
|---|---|---|---|
| Gurnee, IL | 5.5 mi | $2,530 | +$520 (+26%) |
| Zion, IL | 5.7 mi | $1,980 | $-30 (-1%) |
| Lake Bluff, IL | 6.4 mi | $2,700 | +$690 (+34%) |
| Libertyville, IL | 8.5 mi | $2,660 | +$650 (+32%) |
| Lake Forest, IL | 9.8 mi | $3,390 | +$1,380 (+69%) |
| Vernon Hills, IL | 12 mi | $3,060 | +$1,050 (+52%) |
| Grayslake, IL | 13.1 mi | $2,530 | +$520 (+26%) |
| Kenosha, WI | 13.2 mi | $1,983 | $-27 (-1%) |
| Highland Park, IL | 13.7 mi | $3,200 | +$1,190 (+59%) |
| Deerfield, IL | 14.1 mi | $3,390 | +$1,380 (+69%) |
| Mundelein, IL | 14.5 mi | $2,570 | +$560 (+28%) |
| Round Lake Beach, IL | 15.9 mi | $1,671 | $-339 (-17%) |
3-Bedroom rent in Waukegan — common questions
How much is a 3-bedroom apartment in Waukegan?
As of July 2026, the median 3-bedroom apartment rent in Waukegan, Illinois is $2,010 per month. This is +22% higher than the citywide median of $1,648.
What income do you need to afford a 3-bedroom in Waukegan?
Using the standard 30% rent-to-income rule, you would need an annual income of about $80,400 ($6,700/month gross), which works out to roughly $38.65/hour at a full-time job.
Is Waukegan expensive for a 3-bedroom compared to the rest of the US?
Waukegan's 3-bedroom median of $2,010 is +6% below the national 3-bedroom median of $2,130. It ranks in the 44th percentile of US cities tracked.
How does Waukegan rank for 3-bedroom rent in Illinois?
Among the 142 cities in Illinois with 3-bedroom data, Waukegan ranks #57 from cheapest to most expensive.
Are there cheaper 3-bedroom options near Waukegan?
Yes — nearby cities with cheaper 3-bedroom rents include Zion ($1,980), Kenosha ($1,983), Round Lake Beach ($1,671).