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City Report · IL

Wilmette

Pop. 27,503·1st most expensive in Illinois·One of the pricier rental markets in the US
Median rent (all units)
$3,693/mo
Year-over-Year
Stable
Month-over-Month
-0.3%
vs US Median
+$1,731
Stable (Monthly)
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Most AffordableMost Expensive
Wilmette · $3,693
More expensive than 97% of US cities · National median $1,962/mo
Affordability
23% of income
VERY AFFORDABLE
0%30% benchmark60%+

At $3,693/mo, rent takes about 23% of the local median household income, comfortably within the 30% benchmark.

Income to afford
$148,000/yr
Local median income
$190,662/yr
Based on the 30%-of-income rule using Wilmette's median rent and household income. See the full affordability breakdown →
Medians by bedroom

Rent by unit size

Studio
$2,100
1 BR
$2,240
2 BR
$2,530
3 BR
$3,250
4 BR+
$3,820
Fair Market Rent (HUD)
$2,530/mo

These are HUD Fair Market Rents, the payment standard for a Housing Choice Voucher (Section 8). They often differ from the $3,693 market median above, and that is expected: FMR is the 40th percentile of standard-quality units and counts gross rent, so it includes essential utilities such as electricity, water, gas, sewer, and trash. The market median is asking rent, which usually excludes utilities. HUD sets FMR once a year; market rent here updates monthly.

Source: HUD Small Area Fair Market Rents. Read the methodology →

Rent trends

12-month history

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Last updated: August 17, 2026

Annual cost
$44,316/yr
At $3,693/mo median
Rent Market Meter
Balanced Market
Renter's MarketBalancedLandlord's Market
Rents are roughly steady, with neither renters nor landlords holding a strong edge right now.
Based on rent-price momentum (+0.0% YoY, -0.3% MoM), not inventory.
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Demographics

Who lives here

Wilmette, IL is majority owner-occupied, has a large retiree population, has a median income above the national average, 83.6% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

Population
27,503
Median income
$190,662
Median age
45.3
Renters
12.1%
Age distribution
30.5%
28.2%
21.7%
Under 1830.5%
18–348%
35–5428.2%
55–6411.6%
65+21.7%
Gender
49%
51%
Male49%
Female51%
Race & ethnicity
77.6%
12.3%
White77.6%
Black1%
Hispanic4.9%
Asian12.3%
Other4.2%
Education (25+)
83.6%
No HS diploma1.2%
HS diploma5.4%
Some college9.8%
Bachelor's+83.6%
Housing tenure
87.9%
12.1%
Owner87.9%
Renter12.1%

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

2021 vs 2026

How Wilmette, IL has changed in 5 years

Income
$173,967 → $190,662
up 9.6%
Population
27,895 → 27,503
down 1.4%
Renter share
12% → 12.1%
+0.1 pts
Bachelor's+
83.8% → 83.6%
-0.2 pts

Census figures show median household income at $190,662 today, compared with $173,967 five years earlier. Census counts show Wilmette, IL losing about 392 residents over the five-year window, down 1.4% on net.

Community

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

Can you afford rent in Wilmette on your salary?

At $3,693/mo, how Wilmette rent compares to typical pay (30% rule).

By apartment size

Wilmette rent by bedroom count

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

Local insights

Tips for renters in Wilmette

About renting in Wilmette, IL

Last updated: August 17, 2026

The median rent in Wilmette is $3,693/mo as of August 2026. A studio apartment averages $2,100/mo while a 2-bedroom runs $2,530/mo. One-bedroom apartments average $2,240/mo and 3-bedroom units go for $3,250/mo.

At 23% of local median household income ($190,662/yr), Wilmette ranks as affordable compared to the national benchmark of 30%. Rent prices have stayed steady over the past year.

FAQ

Frequently asked questions

Is Wilmette an affordable city for renters?

Wilmette is considered very affordable for renters. At $3,693/mo, rent takes approximately 23% of the local median household income ($190,662/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%. Wilmette falls comfortably within that range.

How much income do you need to rent in Wilmette?

To keep rent at or below 30% of gross income, you would need to earn at least $148,000/year (~$71/hour full-time) to afford the median rent of $3,693/mo in Wilmette. The local median household income is $190,662/yr, meaning the typical Wilmette household meets that threshold.

Is rent going up or down in Wilmette?

Rent in Wilmette has been relatively stable over the past year, with a 0.0% change year over year as of August 2026.

How does Wilmette rent compare to other cities in Illinois?

Wilmette is one of the pricier cities in Illinois for rent, ranking #1 out of 142 tracked cities at $3,693/mo.

Which nearby cities are cheaper to rent in than Wilmette?

Several nearby cities have lower median rents than Wilmette ($3,693/mo): Skokie ($2,132/mo), Niles ($2,329/mo), Glenview ($2,492/mo).

What percentage of Wilmette residents rent vs. own?

According to Census data, approximately 12.1% of Wilmette households are renters, while 87.9% are owner-occupied. Wilmette leans toward homeownership, which can mean a smaller rental inventory.

How does Wilmette rent compare to the national average?

Wilmette's median rent of $3,693/mo is $1,731 (88%) above the US national median of $1,962/mo. Within Illinois, it ranks #1 out of 142 tracked cities.
Income Affordability
23%
VERY AFFORDABLE

At $3,693/mo, rent takes ~23% of Wilmette's median household income ($190,662/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%.

Wilmette 23%Benchmark 30%
State income tax4.95%
Run the Wilmette affordability calculator →
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Neighborhoods

Estimated from ZIP-level data

Schools nearby

Public schools near Wilmette, IL

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