At $1,396/mo, rent takes about 27% of the local median household income, comfortably within the 30% benchmark.
Rent by unit size
These are HUD Fair Market Rents, the payment standard for a Housing Choice Voucher (Section 8). They often differ from the $1,396 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 →
12-month history
Last updated: October 17, 2026
What the numbers show
Rent in Zion changed +1.2% over the year to September 2026. Across the 94 Illinois cities Zillow tracks, the typical change was +4.0%.
Rent has fallen 2 months in a row, and rose in 7 of the last 12 months.
30% of the median household income ($63,104) is $1,578 a month. That covers HUD's Fair Market Rent for up to a 2-bedroom ($1,540); a 3-bedroom is $1,980.
Racine, WI, 18 miles away, rents for 13% less ($1,215/mo), about $2,200 a year in savings.
From Zillow's monthly rent index (ZORI) for Zion. Income is the Census median household income (5-year estimates). Fair Market Rents are HUD’s, which include utilities.
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Who lives here
Zion, IL is majority owner-occupied, has a large share of families with children, has a median income below the national average, 15.1% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau · ACS 2024 5-Year Estimates
How Zion, IL has changed in 5 years
On the earnings side, the typical household in Zion, IL now reports about $63,104, up from $58,431 in 2021.
Discussions about Zion
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Can you afford rent in Zion on your salary?
At $1,396/mo, how Zion rent compares to typical pay (30% rule).
Zion rent by bedroom count
Median rent for each apartment size in Zion. Click any size for full breakdown.
Tips for renters in Zion
Last updated: October 17, 2026
The median rent in Zion is $1,396/mo as of October 2026. A studio apartment averages $1,280/mo while a 2-bedroom runs $1,540/mo. One-bedroom apartments average $1,360/mo and 3-bedroom units go for $1,980/mo.
At 27% of local median household income ($63,104/yr), Zion ranks as affordable compared to the national benchmark of 30%. Rents have increased 1.2% over the past year.
Frequently asked questions
How much income do you need to rent in Zion?
Is rent going up or down in Zion?
How does Zion rent compare to other cities in Illinois?
At $1,396/mo, rent takes ~27% of Zion's median household income ($63,104/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%.
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Estimated from ZIP-level data
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