RentDataNowRentDataNow
City Report · IL

Wheeling

Pop. 38,433·55th most expensive in Illinois·Wheeling rents are up 5.5% over the past year
Median rent (all units)
$2,103/mo
Year-over-Year
+5.5%
Month-over-Month
+3.1%
vs US Median
+$138
Rising (Monthly)
Be the first to discuss Wheeling rents ↓
Most AffordableMost Expensive
Wheeling · $2,103
More expensive than 64% of US cities · National median $1,965/mo
Rent Reality Score
59/100
Fairly priced
OverheatedFairGreat value

Rents are 5% below what Wheeling's 10-year trend predicts — a better deal than its own history suggests.

Actual rent
$2,103/mo
Expected by trend
$2,207/mo
The Rent Reality Score compares today's median rent to where Wheeling's own long-run trajectory projects it should be. See the full rankings →
Medians by bedroom

Rent by unit size

Studio
$1,570
1 BR
$1,680
2 BR
$1,900
3 BR
$2,440
4 BR+
$2,870
Research median
$1,900/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
$25,236/yr
At $2,103/mo median
Rent Market Meter
Strong Landlord's Market
Renter's MarketBalancedLandlord's Market
Rents are up 5.5% year-over-year. Expect competition, and move quickly to lock in terms.
Based on rent-price momentum (+5.5% YoY, +3.1% MoM), not inventory.
Rent check

Is your rent fair?

Compare your rent to the local median.

Demographics

Who lives here

Wheeling, IL is majority owner-occupied, 40.8% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

Population
38,433
Median income
$85,205
Median age
39.9
Renters
37.3%
Age distribution
20.6%
21.3%
28.8%
17.6%
Under 1820.6%
18–3421.3%
35–5428.8%
55–6411.8%
65+17.6%
Gender
47.7%
52.3%
Male47.7%
Female52.3%
Race & ethnicity
52.1%
28.1%
15.9%
White52.1%
Black4%
Hispanic28.1%
Asian15.9%
Education (25+)
12.5%
21%
25.8%
40.8%
No HS diploma12.5%
HS diploma21%
Some college25.8%
Bachelor's+40.8%
Housing tenure
62.7%
37.3%
Owner62.7%
Renter37.3%

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

2021 vs 2026

How Wheeling, IL has changed in 5 years

Rent
$1,461 → $2,103
up 43.9%
Income
$74,331 → $85,205
up 14.6%
Population
39,104 → 38,433
down 1.7%
Renter share
37.5% → 37.3%
-0.2 pts
Bachelor's+
42% → 40.8%
-1.2 pts
Median age
39.1 → 39.9
+0.8 yrs

Compared with 2021, rent in Wheeling, IL has climbed by $642 per month, settling near $2,103 after starting the period at $1,461. Household income in the area moved from $74,331 to $85,205 across the same window, up 14.6% versus 2021. Rent outpaced income growth by roughly 29.3 percentage points, which means renters are spending a larger slice of each paycheck on housing than they did in 2021. Headcount in the area went from 39,104 to 38,433 between 2021 and 2024, a 1.7% change. Reading these numbers side by side helps frame whether current listings in Wheeling, IL look reasonable against where the market sat half a decade ago.

Community

Discussions about Wheeling

No discussions yet. Start the conversation.

View Wheeling rent history (2015–2026) →
Salary vs rent

Can you afford rent in Wheeling on your salary?

At $2,103/mo, how Wheeling rent compares to typical pay (30% rule).

By apartment size

Wheeling rent by bedroom count

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

Local insights

Tips for renters in Wheeling

About renting in Wheeling, IL

Last updated: July 20, 2026

The median rent in Wheeling is $2,103/mo as of July 2026. A studio apartment averages $1,570/mo while a 2-bedroom runs $1,900/mo. One-bedroom apartments average $1,680/mo and 3-bedroom units go for $2,440/mo.

At 30% of local median household income ($85,205/yr), Wheeling ranks as moderate compared to the national benchmark of 30%. Rents have increased 5.5% over the past year.

FAQ

Frequently asked questions

Is Wheeling an affordable city for renters?

Wheeling is considered moderate for renters. At $2,103/mo, rent takes approximately 30% of the local median household income ($85,205/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%. Wheeling slightly exceeds that threshold, so budgeting carefully matters here.

How much income do you need to rent in Wheeling?

To keep rent at or below 30% of gross income, you would need to earn at least $84,000/year (~$40/hour full-time) to afford the median rent of $2,103/mo in Wheeling. The local median household income is $85,205/yr, meaning the typical Wheeling household meets that threshold.

Is rent going up or down in Wheeling?

Rent in Wheeling has increased 5.5% over the past year as of July 2026, putting upward pressure on renter budgets.

How does Wheeling rent compare to other cities in Illinois?

Wheeling is middle-of-the-pack for Illinois for rent, ranking #55 out of 142 tracked cities at $2,103/mo.

Which nearby cities are cheaper to rent in than Wheeling?

Several nearby cities have lower median rents than Wheeling ($2,103/mo): Mount Prospect ($1,718/mo), Arlington Heights ($1,949/mo).

What percentage of Wheeling residents rent vs. own?

According to Census data, approximately 37.3% of Wheeling households are renters, while 62.7% are owner-occupied. Wheeling leans toward homeownership, which can mean a smaller rental inventory.

How does Wheeling rent compare to the national average?

Wheeling's median rent of $2,103/mo is $138 (7%) above the US national median of $1,965/mo. Within Illinois, it ranks #55 out of 142 tracked cities.
Income Affordability
30%
MODERATE

At $2,103/mo, rent takes ~30% of Wheeling's median household income ($85,205/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%.

Wheeling 30%Benchmark 30%
State income tax4.95%
Run the Wheeling affordability calculator →
Lowest-rent ZIP codes in Wheeling
Compare

How does this area stack up?

Pick another city or ZIP to compare.

Neighborhoods

Estimated from ZIP-level data

Schools nearby

Public schools near Wheeling, IL

Recent submissions

Be the first to submit your rent for Wheeling.

Recent discussions

No discussions yet.