Can A Pharmacist Afford Rent in Chicago, IL?
Comfortably affordable — rent takes 21.3% of gross income.
Chicago rent: June 2026. Salary: BLS OEWS May 2024 (Illinois state estimate).
About rent and a pharmacist salary
Pharmacist pay covers comfortable rent in nearly every US city. At the national-average pharmacist salary, the 30% rule supports about $3,319 a month in rent — above median rent in all but a handful of high-cost coastal metros.
Cheaper rent nearby
These Illinois cities have lower median rent than Chicago, which improves the affordability math on a pharmacist salary:
Compare with full rent data for Chicago
View full rent data for Chicago, IL →Frequently asked questions
Can a pharmacist afford rent in Chicago, IL?
Median rent in Chicago is $2,409 a month. A typical pharmacist in Illinois earns about $135,405 a year, which makes that rent 21.3% of gross monthly income. Under the 30% rule, the answer is yes.
How much rent can a pharmacist afford in Chicago?
Using the 30% rule, a pharmacist salary in Illinois (~$135,405/yr) supports up to $3,385 a month in rent. Chicago's current median rent is $2,409/mo, which leaves a $976/mo buffer.
How many hours does a pharmacist work to cover rent in Chicago?
At an hourly equivalent of about $65 an hour, a pharmacist in Illinois works roughly 37 hours a month to cover Chicago's median rent of $2,409.
Where is rent cheaper than Chicago for a pharmacist?
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 a pharmacist salary.