Best rent-to-income cities in Illinois
Cities in Illinois ranked by lowest rent as a percentage of median household income. Cities with 15,000+ residents.
Key findings
- Washington ranks first, with rent at 12.5% of median household income.
- Across all 115 cities on this list, the median rent is $1,920/mo.
Data as of September 2026. Twelve months of median rent as a share of Census median household income (5-year estimates). Updated monthly. Download this list (CSV)
Best value (RRS)Overheated (RRS)Most affordableMost expensiveRent fallingRent risingBest rent/incomeMost rent-burdenedRecord-high rentSeasonal swingsRent vs. income
115 cities
| Rank | City | Rent/income | Median rent | Income | Vs. a year ago |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 01 | WashingtonIL | 12.5% | $988/mo | $95,179 | -- |
| 02 | East PeoriaIL | 14.8% | $885/mo | $71,833 | -- |
| 03 | LibertyvilleIL | 16.0% | $2,206/mo | $165,667 | ↓1 from #2 |
| 04 | GenevaIL | 16.6% | $2,002/mo | $144,341 | ↓3 from #1 |
| 05 | NapervilleIL | 17.3% | $2,236/mo | $155,105 | ↓2 from #3 |
| 06 | PekinIL | 17.8% | $901/mo | $60,790 | -- |
| 07 | La GrangeIL | 18.3% | $2,438/mo | $159,929 | ↓1 from #6 |
| 08 | DeerfieldIL | 18.4% | $2,789/mo | $181,660 | ↓3 from #5 |
| 09 | CharlestonIL | 18.5% | $762/mo | $49,300 | -- |
| 10 | Glen EllynIL | 18.7% | $2,195/mo | $140,938 | -- |
| 11 | Rock IslandIL | 18.9% | $932/mo | $59,041 | ↓4 from #7 |
| 12 | Fairview HeightsIL | 19.1% | $1,287/mo | $80,930 | -- |
| 13 | MolineIL | 19.3% | $1,090/mo | $67,701 | ↓3 from #10 |
| 14 | WoodridgeIL | 19.5% | $1,638/mo | $101,000 | ↓1 from #13 |
| 15 | GurneeIL | 19.5% | $1,944/mo | $119,628 | ↓7 from #8 |
| 16 | ElmhurstIL | 19.7% | $2,453/mo | $149,644 | ↓5 from #11 |
| 17 | BloomingtonIL | 19.7% | $1,270/mo | $77,384 | ↓8 from #9 |
| 18 | Lake ForestIL | 20.2% | $3,952/mo | $235,081 | -- |
| 19 | BourbonnaisIL | 20.3% | $1,381/mo | $81,708 | ↓7 from #12 |
| 20 | Park RidgeIL | 20.4% | $2,433/mo | $142,986 | -- |
| 21 | Arlington HeightsIL | 20.6% | $1,999/mo | $116,723 | ↓7 from #14 |
| 22 | CollinsvilleIL | 20.6% | $1,161/mo | $67,612 | ↓18 from #4 |
| 23 | OttawaIL | 20.8% | $1,238/mo | $71,413 | -- |
| 24 | BellevilleIL | 21.2% | $1,120/mo | $63,535 | ↓6 from #18 |
| 25 | Granite CityIL | 21.2% | $1,046/mo | $59,205 | -- |
| 26 | WoodstockIL | 21.4% | $1,474/mo | $82,758 | ↓5 from #21 |
| 27 | SpringfieldIL | 21.4% | $1,178/mo | $66,064 | ↓8 from #19 |
| 28 | LisleIL | 21.4% | $1,919/mo | $107,479 | ↓13 from #15 |
| 29 | Carol StreamIL | 21.6% | $1,844/mo | $102,309 | ↓4 from #25 |
| 30 | Mount ProspectIL | 21.6% | $1,835/mo | $101,720 | ↓2 from #28 |
| 31 | Crystal LakeIL | 21.8% | $1,969/mo | $108,418 | ↓14 from #17 |
| 32 | JolietIL | 21.8% | $1,675/mo | $92,201 | ↓12 from #20 |
| 33 | GlenviewIL | 21.8% | $2,601/mo | $143,056 | ↓4 from #29 |
| 34 | Evergreen ParkIL | 21.9% | $1,744/mo | $95,719 | -- |
| 35 | EdwardsvilleIL | 22.0% | $1,588/mo | $86,721 | ↓19 from #16 |
| 36 | AltonIL | 22.1% | $1,003/mo | $54,568 | ↓12 from #24 |
| 37 | Oak ParkIL | 22.1% | $2,044/mo | $110,820 | ↓11 from #26 |
| 38 | Buffalo GroveIL | 22.3% | $2,403/mo | $129,395 | ↓2 from #36 |
| 39 | CiceroIL | 22.4% | $1,322/mo | $70,842 | ↓7 from #32 |
| 40 | Lake in the HillsIL | 22.4% | $2,188/mo | $117,151 | ↓10 from #30 |
| 41 | Highland ParkIL | 22.5% | $3,147/mo | $168,094 | ↓14 from #27 |
| 42 | QuincyIL | 22.5% | $1,059/mo | $56,480 | ↓19 from #23 |
| 43 | BrookfieldIL | 22.7% | $2,086/mo | $110,295 | -- |
| 44 | BerwynIL | 22.7% | $1,485/mo | $78,408 | ↓9 from #35 |
| 45 | YorkvilleIL | 22.8% | $2,058/mo | $108,513 | -- |
| 46 | Hoffman EstatesIL | 22.9% | $2,039/mo | $106,806 | ↓13 from #33 |
| 47 | NorthbrookIL | 22.9% | $3,014/mo | $157,782 | ↓16 from #31 |
| 48 | DanvilleIL | 23.1% | $883/mo | $45,957 | ↓8 from #40 |
| 49 | PalatineIL | 23.2% | $1,895/mo | $97,819 | ↓8 from #41 |
| 50 | Elk Grove VillageIL | 23.4% | $1,833/mo | $94,175 | ↓11 from #39 |