Where rent has outpaced income in Illinois since 2019

Illinois cities ranked by rent growth minus household income growth from 2019 to 2024 (Zillow yearly average rent, Census 5-year income). Cities with 15,000+ residents.

Key findings

Bloomington ranks first, with rent up 53.8% against household income up 14.6% since 2019.
Across all 25 cities on this list, the median rent is $1,999/mo.

Data as of September 2026. Change in Zillow's yearly average rent from 2019 to 2024, minus the change in Census median household income over the same years. Updated monthly. Download this list (CSV)

Best value (RRS)Overheated (RRS)Most affordable Most expensive Rent falling Rent rising Best rent/income Most rent-burdened Record-high rent Seasonal swings Rent vs. income

25 cities

Rank	City	Gap (points)	Rent since 2019	Income since 2019	Median rent
01	BloomingtonIL Pop. 79KCompare →	+39.2	+53.8%	+14.6%	$1,270/mo
02	PeoriaIL Pop. 112KCompare →	+33.2	+48.0%	+14.8%	$1,240/mo
03	PlainfieldIL Pop. 47KCompare →	+31.2	+41.4%	+10.2%	$3,027/mo
04	RockfordIL Pop. 148KCompare →	+25.2	+48.9%	+23.7%	$1,227/mo
05	SchaumburgIL Pop. 77KCompare →	+20.6	+38.0%	+17.4%	$2,125/mo
06	SpringfieldIL Pop. 113KCompare →	+18.4	+39.3%	+20.9%	$1,178/mo
07	ChampaignIL Pop. 90KCompare →	+17.0	+32.9%	+15.9%	$1,466/mo
08	Vernon HillsIL Pop. 27KCompare →	+16.6	+33.6%	+17.0%	$2,587/mo
09	Arlington HeightsIL Pop. 76KCompare →	+16.4	+37.5%	+21.2%	$1,999/mo
10	NapervilleIL Pop. 151KCompare →	+15.5	+38.7%	+23.2%	$2,236/mo
11	PalatineIL Pop. 66KCompare →	+15.4	+36.9%	+21.5%	$1,895/mo
12	ElginIL Pop. 115KCompare →	+12.2	+43.0%	+30.8%	$1,923/mo
13	WheelingIL Pop. 38KCompare →	+10.1	+34.2%	+24.2%	$2,009/mo
14	AuroraIL Pop. 180KCompare →	+10.0	+40.5%	+30.5%	$2,294/mo
15	UrbanaIL Pop. 39KCompare →	+9.9	+32.1%	+22.2%	$1,348/mo
16	GlenviewIL Pop. 48KCompare →	+8.9	+33.1%	+24.2%	$2,601/mo
17	BellevilleIL Pop. 41KCompare →	+8.5	+40.6%	+32.1%	$1,120/mo
18	EvanstonIL Pop. 76KCompare →	+7.2	+29.4%	+22.2%	$2,438/mo
19	JolietIL Pop. 150KCompare →	+7.1	+37.9%	+30.8%	$1,675/mo
20	LombardIL Pop. 44KCompare →	+6.0	+27.7%	+21.7%	$2,094/mo
21	Oak ParkIL Pop. 53KCompare →	+5.0	+22.0%	+17.1%	$2,044/mo
22	BerwynIL Pop. 56KCompare →	+4.8	+29.8%	+24.9%	$1,485/mo
23	WaukeganIL Pop. 89KCompare →	-4.0	+40.4%	+44.4%	$1,660/mo
24	Des PlainesIL Pop. 59KCompare →	-6.0	+34.3%	+40.3%	$2,079/mo
25	ChicagoIL Pop. 2.7MCompare →	-10.7	+23.0%	+33.7%	$2,311/mo