Studio Apartment Rent in Waukegan, IL
Median asking rent for a studio apartment in Waukegan, Illinois as of July 2026. That's +21% lower than the citywide median of $1,648 and in line with the national studio median of $1,290.
Income needed for a studio 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 studio at the current median rent.
Rent by apartment size in Waukegan
Compare Waukegan's median rent across every apartment size.
Cheapest cities for a studio in Illinois
| # | City | Studio rent |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Dixon | $610 |
| 2 | Rantoul | $638 |
| 3 | Charleston | $640 |
| 4 | Quincy | $650 |
| 5 | Macomb | $660 |
| 6 | Pekin | $660 |
| 7 | Rock Island | $680 |
| 8 | Danville | $690 |
| 9 | Carbondale | $700 |
| 10 | Moline | $700 |
| 11 | Normal | $720 |
| 12 | Peoria | $738 |
| 13 | Springfield | $750 |
| 14 | Washington | $750 |
| 15 | Decatur | $760 |
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
Considering nearby alternatives? 2 of these cities have cheaper studio rents than Waukegan.
| City | Distance | Studio rent | vs Waukegan |
|---|---|---|---|
| Gurnee, IL | 5.5 mi | $1,630 | +$335 (+26%) |
| Zion, IL | 5.7 mi | $1,280 | $-15 (-1%) |
| Lake Bluff, IL | 6.4 mi | $1,740 | +$445 (+34%) |
| Libertyville, IL | 8.5 mi | $1,710 | +$415 (+32%) |
| Lake Forest, IL | 9.8 mi | $2,190 | +$895 (+69%) |
| Vernon Hills, IL | 12 mi | $1,970 | +$675 (+52%) |
| Grayslake, IL | 13.1 mi | $1,630 | +$335 (+26%) |
| Kenosha, WI | 13.2 mi | $1,123 | $-172 (-13%) |
| Highland Park, IL | 13.7 mi | $2,060 | +$765 (+59%) |
| Deerfield, IL | 14.1 mi | $2,190 | +$895 (+69%) |
| Mundelein, IL | 14.5 mi | $1,660 | +$365 (+28%) |
| Buffalo Grove, IL | 16.2 mi | $2,100 | +$805 (+62%) |
Studio rent in Waukegan — common questions
How much is a studio apartment in Waukegan?
As of July 2026, the median studio apartment rent in Waukegan, Illinois is $1,295 per month. This is +21% below the citywide median of $1,648.
What income do you need to afford a studio in Waukegan?
Using the standard 30% rent-to-income rule, you would need an annual income of about $51,800 ($4,317/month gross), which works out to roughly $24.90/hour at a full-time job.
Is Waukegan expensive for a studio compared to the rest of the US?
Waukegan's studio median of $1,295 is right at the national studio median of $1,290. It ranks in the 51th percentile of US cities tracked.
How does Waukegan rank for studio rent in Illinois?
Among the 140 cities in Illinois with studio data, Waukegan ranks #55 from cheapest to most expensive.
Are there cheaper studio options near Waukegan?
Yes — nearby cities with cheaper studio rents include Zion ($1,280), Kenosha ($1,123).