Can A Real Estate Agent Afford Rent in Oak Park, IL?
Stretched but workable — rent takes 37.4% of gross income.
Oak Park rent: July 2026. Salary: BLS OEWS May 2024 (Illinois state estimate).
About rent and a real estate agent salary
Real estate agent pay is commission-driven and varies widely with local market conditions. The BLS mean averages high and low producers. At the national-average agent salary, the 30% rule supports about $1,640 a month in rent — though successful agents in active markets earn well above this.
Cheaper rent nearby
These Illinois cities have lower median rent than Oak Park, which improves the affordability math on a real estate agent salary:
Compare with full rent data for Oak Park
View full rent data for Oak Park, IL →Frequently asked questions
Can a real estate agent afford rent in Oak Park, IL?
Median rent in Oak Park is $2,086 a month. A typical real estate agent in Illinois earns about $66,892 a year, which makes that rent 37.4% of gross monthly income. Under the 30% rule, the answer is no — rent exceeds the 30% threshold.
How much rent can a real estate agent afford in Oak Park?
Using the 30% rule, a real estate agent salary in Illinois (~$66,892/yr) supports up to $1,672 a month in rent. Oak Park's current median rent is $2,086/mo, which is $414/mo over the affordability threshold.
How many hours does a real estate agent work to cover rent in Oak Park?
At an hourly equivalent of about $32 an hour, a real estate agent in Illinois works roughly 64.9 hours a month to cover Oak Park's median rent of $2,086.
Where is rent cheaper than Oak Park for a real estate agent?
Nearby Illinois cities with lower median rent include Buffalo Grove ($2,085/mo), Carpentersville ($2,085/mo), Crystal Lake ($2,085/mo). Each shifts the affordability math materially on a real estate agent salary.