Most rent-burdened cities in Illinois
Cities in Illinois ranked by highest rent as a percentage of median household income. Cities with 15,000+ residents.
Key findings
- Dolton ranks first, with rent at 48.2% of median household income.
- Across all 115 cities on this list, the median rent is $1,920/mo.
- Niles moved from #7 to #2 compared with a year ago.
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 | DoltonIL | 48.2% | $2,327/mo | $57,887 | same |
| 02 | NilesIL | 38.0% | $2,383/mo | $75,274 | ↑5 from #7 |
| 03 | Park ForestIL | 36.5% | $1,857/mo | $61,072 | -- |
| 04 | UrbanaIL | 35.7% | $1,348/mo | $45,346 | ↓2 from #2 |
| 05 | ChicagoIL | 35.6% | $2,311/mo | $77,902 | ↓2 from #3 |
| 06 | DekalbIL | 34.1% | $1,320/mo | $46,481 | ↓1 from #5 |
| 07 | Calumet CityIL | 33.3% | $1,536/mo | $55,369 | ↓3 from #4 |
| 08 | Orland ParkIL | 32.9% | $2,713/mo | $98,910 | ↓2 from #6 |
| 09 | Chicago HeightsIL | 32.0% | $1,463/mo | $54,798 | -- |
| 10 | CarpentersvilleIL | 31.7% | $2,297/mo | $86,917 | ↓1 from #9 |
| 11 | ChampaignIL | 31.3% | $1,466/mo | $56,118 | ↓3 from #8 |
| 12 | KankakeeIL | 30.4% | $1,204/mo | $47,514 | ↓2 from #10 |
| 13 | BolingbrookIL | 30.4% | $2,742/mo | $108,400 | ↓1 from #12 |
| 14 | EvanstonIL | 30.3% | $2,438/mo | $96,434 | ↓3 from #11 |
| 15 | SkokieIL | 29.8% | $2,371/mo | $95,337 | same |
| 16 | StreamwoodIL | 29.5% | $2,490/mo | $101,218 | ↑1 from #17 |
| 17 | Round Lake BeachIL | 29.5% | $2,116/mo | $86,059 | ↓4 from #13 |
| 18 | AuroraIL | 29.4% | $2,294/mo | $93,633 | ↓4 from #14 |
| 19 | Blue IslandIL | 28.6% | $1,420/mo | $59,489 | -- |
| 20 | WheelingIL | 28.3% | $2,009/mo | $85,205 | ↓4 from #16 |
| 21 | BensenvilleIL | 28.2% | $1,871/mo | $79,515 | -- |
| 22 | MontgomeryIL | 27.8% | $2,403/mo | $103,734 | -- |
| 23 | WaukeganIL | 27.7% | $1,660/mo | $71,919 | ↓5 from #18 |
| 24 | AlsipIL | 27.6% | $1,533/mo | $66,585 | ↓5 from #19 |
| 25 | MattesonIL | 27.6% | $2,192/mo | $95,457 | -- |
| 26 | Morton GroveIL | 27.3% | $2,532/mo | $111,116 | ↓1 from #25 |
| 27 | Round LakeIL | 27.1% | $2,533/mo | $111,977 | -- |
| 28 | RockfordIL | 26.9% | $1,227/mo | $54,752 | ↓1 from #27 |
| 29 | BradleyIL | 26.7% | $1,500/mo | $67,420 | -- |
| 30 | BloomingdaleIL | 26.7% | $2,286/mo | $102,928 | -- |
| 31 | Glendale HeightsIL | 26.6% | $1,920/mo | $86,545 | ↓10 from #21 |
| 32 | ZionIL | 26.5% | $1,396/mo | $63,104 | ↓12 from #20 |
| 33 | McHenryIL | 26.4% | $1,901/mo | $86,315 | -- |
| 34 | SchaumburgIL | 26.2% | $2,125/mo | $97,514 | ↓10 from #24 |
| 35 | LansingIL | 26.0% | $1,637/mo | $75,569 | -- |
| 36 | SycamoreIL | 25.8% | $1,811/mo | $84,120 | -- |
| 37 | MundeleinIL | 25.8% | $2,327/mo | $108,340 | ↓14 from #23 |
| 38 | DarienIL | 25.8% | $2,388/mo | $111,215 | ↓12 from #26 |
| 39 | NormalIL | 25.7% | $1,390/mo | $64,785 | ↓10 from #29 |
| 40 | North AuroraIL | 25.6% | $2,442/mo | $114,305 | -- |
| 41 | Machesney ParkIL | 25.6% | $1,610/mo | $75,489 | ↑21 from #62 |
| 42 | ElginIL | 25.6% | $1,923/mo | $90,282 | ↓14 from #28 |
| 43 | Des PlainesIL | 25.5% | $2,079/mo | $97,875 | ↓8 from #35 |
| 44 | WestmontIL | 25.5% | $1,871/mo | $88,090 | ↓22 from #22 |
| 45 | Vernon HillsIL | 25.5% | $2,587/mo | $121,943 | ↓15 from #30 |
| 46 | PlainfieldIL | 25.2% | $3,027/mo | $144,000 | ↓15 from #31 |
| 47 | CarbondaleIL | 25.1% | $673/mo | $32,128 | ↓14 from #33 |
| 48 | Rolling MeadowsIL | 25.1% | $2,061/mo | $98,514 | ↓10 from #38 |
| 49 | PeoriaIL | 25.0% | $1,240/mo | $59,410 | ↓15 from #34 |
| 50 | LombardIL | 25.0% | $2,094/mo | $100,362 | ↓18 from #32 |