Can An Accountant Afford Rent in Chicago, IL?
Stretched but workable — rent takes 31.2% of gross income.
Chicago rent: June 2026. Salary: BLS OEWS May 2024 (Illinois state estimate).
About rent and an accountant salary
Accountant pay covers comfortable rent in nearly every US city. The cost-of-living premium that high-cost metros add to rent is offset, in most cases, by higher local accountant pay — but not entirely. At the national-average accountant salary, the 30% rule supports about $2,270 a month in rent, which is above the median rent in most metros tracked here. The per-city pages quantify the surplus or pinch in each market.
Cheaper rent nearby
These Illinois cities have lower median rent than Chicago, which improves the affordability math on an accountant salary:
Compare with full rent data for Chicago
View full rent data for Chicago, IL →Frequently asked questions
Can an accountant afford rent in Chicago, IL?
Median rent in Chicago is $2,409 a month. A typical accountant in Illinois earns about $92,596 a year, which makes that rent 31.2% of gross monthly income. Under the 30% rule, the answer is no — rent exceeds the 30% threshold.
How much rent can an accountant afford in Chicago?
Using the 30% rule, an accountant salary in Illinois (~$92,596/yr) supports up to $2,315 a month in rent. Chicago's current median rent is $2,409/mo, which is $94/mo over the affordability threshold.
How many hours does an accountant work to cover rent in Chicago?
At an hourly equivalent of about $45 an hour, an accountant in Illinois works roughly 54.1 hours a month to cover Chicago's median rent of $2,409.
Where is rent cheaper than Chicago for an accountant?
Nearby Illinois cities with lower median rent include Downers Grove ($2,408/mo), Barrington ($2,407/mo), Downers Grove ($2,407/mo). Each shifts the affordability math materially on an accountant salary.