How much does it cost to rent in Wheaton, IL?

As of July 2026, the median monthly rent in Wheaton, IL is $2,169. This figure is based on aggregated data from public sources and community-submitted rents.

Is Wheaton cheaper than other Illinois cities?

Wheaton is one of the pricier cities in Illinois, ranking #47 out of 142 cities tracked at $2,169/mo.

When was Wheaton rent data last updated?

Wheaton rent data reflects July 2026 and was last refreshed on July 20, 2026. RentDataNow refreshes all data monthly using public and private datasets.

Is Wheaton a renter's market or a landlord's market?

Based on RentDataNow's Rent Market Meter, Wheaton is currently a renter's market. Rents are softening (down 5.2% YoY), so renters have negotiating leverage. The meter is derived from rent-price momentum (year-over-year and month-over-month change), not inventory levels.

City Report · IL

Wheaton

Name: Average Rent Prices in Wheaton, IL
Creator: RentDataNow
License: https://rentdatanow.com/terms-of-service

Pop. 53,557·47th most expensive in Illinois·Wheaton rents have dropped 5.2%, currently a renter's market

Median rent (all units)

$2,169/mo

Year-over-Year

-5.2%

Month-over-Month

+0.7%

vs US Median

+$204

Rising (Monthly)

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Most AffordableMost Expensive

Wheaton · $2,169

More expensive than 68% of US cities · National median $1,965/mo

Rent Reality Score

68/100

Good value

OverheatedFairGreat value

Rents are 9% below what Wheaton's 10-year trend predicts — a better deal than its own history suggests.

Actual rent

$2,169/mo

Expected by trend

$2,388/mo

The Rent Reality Score compares today's median rent to where Wheaton's own long-run trajectory projects it should be. See the full rankings →

Medians by bedroom

Rent by unit size

Studio

$1,775

1 BR

$1,900

2 BR

$2,145

3 BR

$2,755

4 BR+

$3,235

Research median

$2,145/mo

Bedroom estimates are gross rents that include essential utilities (electricity, water, gas, sewer, trash).

Rent trends

12-month history

Loading…

Last updated: July 20, 2026

Annual cost

$26,028/yr

At $2,169/mo median

Rent Market Meter

Renter's Market

Renter's MarketBalancedLandlord's Market

Rents are softening (down 5.2% YoY), so renters have negotiating leverage.

Based on rent-price momentum (-5.2% YoY, +0.7% MoM), not inventory.

Rent check

Is your rent fair?

Compare your rent to the local median.

Demographics

Who lives here

Wheaton, IL is majority owner-occupied, has a median income above the national average, 64.5% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

Population

53,557

Median income

$120,008

Median age

36.8

Renters

28.3%

Age distribution

22%

25.5%

23.6%

17.5%

Under 1822%

18–3425.5%

35–5423.6%

55–6411.4%

65+17.5%

Gender

49.4%

50.6%

Male49.4%

Female50.6%

Race & ethnicity

77.8%

White77.8%

Black4.2%

Hispanic8.9%

Asian5.8%

Other3.3%

Education (25+)

20.2%

64.5%

No HS diploma3.8%

HS diploma11.5%

Some college20.2%

Bachelor's+64.5%

Housing tenure

71.7%

28.3%

Owner71.7%

Renter28.3%

Source: U.S. Census Bureau · ACS 2024 5-Year Estimates

2021 vs 2026

How Wheaton, IL has changed in 5 years

Rent

$1,686 → $2,169

up 28.6%

Income

$108,737 → $120,008

up 10.4%

Population

53,762 → 53,557

down 0.4%

Renter share

26.2% → 28.3%

+2.1 pts

Bachelor's+

64.5% → 64.5%

+0.0 pts

Median age

37.4 → 36.8

-0.6 yrs

The median rent in Wheaton, IL stood at $1,686 in 2021 and currently runs about $2,169, reflecting a 28.6% increase over the period. Median household income rose from $108,737 to $120,008 between 2021 and 2024, a 10.4% shift. That spread, with rent up faster than earnings, points to a tougher affordability environment than five years ago. Renters now make up 28.3% of households, compared with 26.2% five years ago. Taken together, the five-year picture in Wheaton, IL reflects how housing costs and the people paying them have evolved through a stretch that included a pandemic, a hot rental market, and a recent cooling phase.

Community

Discussions about Wheaton

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View Wheaton rent history (2015–2026) →

Salary vs rent

Can you afford rent in Wheaton on your salary?

At $2,169/mo, how Wheaton rent compares to typical pay (30% rule).

Registered Nurse

Avg $96,370/yr · Rent = 27% income

affordable

Elementary School Teacher

Avg $68,422/yr · Rent = 38% income

stretched

Police Officer

Avg $78,815/yr · Rent = 33% income

stretched

Software Developer

Avg $140,872/yr · Rent = 18.5% income

very comfortable

Lawyer

Avg $179,999/yr · Rent = 14.5% income

very comfortable

Firefighter

Avg $64,066/yr · Rent = 40.6% income

rent-burdened

Truck Driver

Avg $57,844/yr · Rent = 45% income

rent-burdened

Electrician

Avg $71,298/yr · Rent = 36.5% income

stretched

By apartment size

Wheaton rent by bedroom count

Median rent for each apartment size in Wheaton. Click any size for full breakdown.

Local insights

Tips for renters in Wheaton

About renting in Wheaton, IL

Last updated: July 20, 2026

The median rent in Wheaton is $2,169/mo as of July 2026. A studio apartment averages $1,775/mo while a 2-bedroom runs $2,145/mo. One-bedroom apartments average $1,900/mo and 3-bedroom units go for $2,755/mo.

At 22% of local median household income ($120,008/yr), Wheaton ranks as affordable compared to the national benchmark of 30%. Rents have decreased 5.2% over the past year.

FAQ

Frequently asked questions

Is Wheaton an affordable city for renters?

Wheaton is considered very affordable for renters. At $2,169/mo, rent takes approximately 22% of the local median household income ($120,008/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%. Wheaton falls comfortably within that range.

How much income do you need to rent in Wheaton?

To keep rent at or below 30% of gross income, you would need to earn at least $87,000/year (~$42/hour full-time) to afford the median rent of $2,169/mo in Wheaton. The local median household income is $120,008/yr, meaning the typical Wheaton household meets that threshold.

Is rent going up or down in Wheaton?

Rent in Wheaton has decreased 5.2% over the past year as of July 2026, offering some relief compared to 12 months ago.

Which Wheaton neighborhoods have the lowest rent?

The most affordable ZIP codes in Wheaton are 60187 ($1,996/mo), and 60189 ($2,365/mo). Citywide, the median rent in Wheaton is $2,169/mo.

How does Wheaton rent compare to other cities in Illinois?

Wheaton is one of the pricier cities in Illinois for rent, ranking #47 out of 142 tracked cities at $2,169/mo.

Which nearby cities are cheaper to rent in than Wheaton?

Several nearby cities have lower median rents than Wheaton ($2,169/mo): Carol Stream ($1,822/mo), Lisle ($1,939/mo), Glendale Heights ($1,949/mo).

What percentage of Wheaton residents rent vs. own?

According to Census data, approximately 28.3% of Wheaton households are renters, while 71.7% are owner-occupied. Wheaton leans toward homeownership, which can mean a smaller rental inventory.

How does Wheaton rent compare to the national average?

Wheaton's median rent of $2,169/mo is $204 (10%) above the US national median of $1,965/mo. Within Illinois, it ranks #47 out of 142 tracked cities.

Income Affordability

22%

VERY AFFORDABLE

At $2,169/mo, rent takes ~22% of Wheaton's median household income ($120,008/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%.

Wheaton 22%Benchmark 30%

State income tax4.95%

Run the Wheaton affordability calculator →

Nearby cities