Rent rising fastest in Illinois
Cities in Illinois with the largest year-over-year rent increases. Cities with 15,000+ residents. Updated monthly.
Key findings
- Machesney Park ranks first, with +23.8% over the past year.
- Across all 79 cities on this list, the median rent is $1,923/mo.
- Des Plaines moved from #65 to #13 compared with a year ago.
Data as of September 2026. Change in Zillow's rent index over the past 12 months. Rank a year ago uses the change over the 12 months before that. 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
79 cities
| Rank | City | 1-yr change | Median rent | 5-yr change | Vs. a year ago |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 01 | Machesney ParkIL | +23.8% | $1,610/mo | -- | -- |
| 02 | CollinsvilleIL | +19.8% | $1,161/mo | -- | ↑17 from #19 |
| 03 | Morton GroveIL | +9.0% | $2,532/mo | -- | -- |
| 04 | QuincyIL | +8.2% | $1,059/mo | -- | ↑19 from #23 |
| 05 | DekalbIL | +7.9% | $1,320/mo | -- | ↑4 from #9 |
| 06 | EdwardsvilleIL | +7.6% | $1,588/mo | -- | ↑16 from #22 |
| 07 | RockfordIL | +7.3% | $1,227/mo | +48.0% | same |
| 08 | BourbonnaisIL | +7.0% | $1,381/mo | -- | -- |
| 09 | O FallonIL | +6.7% | $1,631/mo | -- | ↑27 from #36 |
| 10 | CarpentersvilleIL | +6.6% | $2,297/mo | -- | ↑15 from #25 |
| 11 | Crystal LakeIL | +6.5% | $1,969/mo | -- | ↑40 from #51 |
| 12 | DeerfieldIL | +6.5% | $2,789/mo | -- | -- |
| 13 | Des PlainesIL | +6.4% | $2,079/mo | +33.6% | ↑52 from #65 |
| 14 | Highland ParkIL | +6.4% | $3,147/mo | -- | ↓13 from #1 |
| 15 | Rolling MeadowsIL | +6.3% | $2,061/mo | -- | ↑51 from #66 |
| 16 | JolietIL | +6.3% | $1,675/mo | +39.8% | ↑17 from #33 |
| 17 | Rock IslandIL | +6.2% | $932/mo | -- | ↓13 from #4 |
| 18 | AltonIL | +6.0% | $1,003/mo | -- | ↑35 from #53 |
| 19 | ChicagoIL | +5.8% | $2,311/mo | +34.8% | ↓4 from #15 |
| 20 | UrbanaIL | +5.6% | $1,348/mo | +34.8% | ↑20 from #40 |
| 21 | Oak ParkIL | +5.3% | $2,044/mo | +27.0% | ↑13 from #34 |
| 22 | DecaturIL | +5.2% | $1,057/mo | -- | ↓19 from #3 |
| 23 | StreamwoodIL | +5.1% | $2,490/mo | -- | -- |
| 24 | SkokieIL | +5.1% | $2,371/mo | +35.3% | ↑5 from #29 |
| 25 | LisleIL | +5.1% | $1,919/mo | +32.4% | ↑21 from #46 |
| 26 | BloomingtonIL | +5.0% | $1,270/mo | +44.3% | ↑36 from #62 |
| 27 | ChampaignIL | +4.9% | $1,466/mo | +37.4% | ↑14 from #41 |
| 28 | NorthbrookIL | +4.8% | $3,014/mo | +36.9% | ↓23 from #5 |
| 29 | BolingbrookIL | +4.7% | $2,742/mo | +37.0% | ↑20 from #49 |
| 30 | Glendale HeightsIL | +4.5% | $1,920/mo | +36.1% | ↑33 from #63 |
| 31 | NormalIL | +4.5% | $1,390/mo | -- | ↓3 from #28 |
| 32 | GenevaIL | +4.5% | $2,002/mo | -- | ↓21 from #11 |
| 33 | Orland ParkIL | +4.5% | $2,713/mo | -- | ↓19 from #14 |
| 34 | La GrangeIL | +4.5% | $2,438/mo | -- | -- |
| 35 | SpringfieldIL | +4.3% | $1,178/mo | +37.0% | ↑4 from #39 |
| 36 | CarbondaleIL | +4.2% | $673/mo | -- | ↑22 from #58 |
| 37 | GurneeIL | +4.1% | $1,944/mo | -- | ↓16 from #21 |
| 38 | Lake in the HillsIL | +4.0% | $2,188/mo | -- | -- |
| 39 | Downers GroveIL | +4.0% | $2,248/mo | -- | ↑20 from #59 |
| 40 | SchaumburgIL | +4.0% | $2,125/mo | +34.0% | ↑16 from #56 |
| 41 | PeoriaIL | +3.9% | $1,240/mo | +44.0% | ↓23 from #18 |
| 42 | ElmhurstIL | +3.9% | $2,453/mo | +27.9% | ↑10 from #52 |
| 43 | Carol StreamIL | +3.9% | $1,844/mo | +33.0% | ↑24 from #67 |
| 44 | Hoffman EstatesIL | +3.9% | $2,039/mo | +35.0% | same |
| 45 | Oak LawnIL | +3.8% | $1,717/mo | -- | ↓29 from #16 |
| 46 | AlsipIL | +3.8% | $1,533/mo | -- | -- |
| 47 | Vernon HillsIL | +3.7% | $2,587/mo | +31.2% | ↓23 from #24 |
| 48 | WoodstockIL | +3.7% | $1,474/mo | -- | -- |
| 49 | EvanstonIL | +3.6% | $2,438/mo | +32.7% | ↓17 from #32 |
| 50 | ElginIL | +3.5% | $1,923/mo | +37.8% | ↓24 from #26 |