Last updated
Average Rent in Chicago, IL & Rent Trends
Rent prices and market trends across 11 apartment communities in Chicago, IL. Updated daily.
Market Average
$4,549/mo
▼ 8.5% from last month
Lowest Available
$1,529/mo
cheapest unit on market
Communities
11
tracked daily
Units Listed
17
available now
Rent Watch: cuts and increases
Open Rent Watch →See current options while we confirm new price comparisons. Filter by bedrooms and budget, then inspect each building’s history.
Rent by Neighborhood in Chicago, IL
Compare average rent across Chicago, IL neighborhoods. Click any area to see detailed trends. View these neighborhoods on the rent map
| Neighborhood | Avg Rent | 30d Change | From | Properties | Units |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Chicago Loop | $4,560 | ▲ $1,132 | $2,332 | 1 | 10 |
| Streeterville | $4,333 | ▼ $351 | $2,701 | 1 | 20 |
| West Town | $3,596 | ▼ $8 | $2,771 | 1 | 14 |
| Logan Square | $3,481 | ▲ $428 | $2,924 | 1 | 2 |
| Sheffield & DePaul | $3,480 | ▼ $19 | $1,249 | 13 | 139 |
| Wrigleyville | $3,433 | ▼ $58 | $2,495 | 1 | 4 |
| Little Italy | $3,403 | ▼ $6 | $1,750 | 2 | 30 |
Is Rent Going Up or Down in Chicago, IL?
As of October 2026, the average rent in Chicago, IL is $4,549 per month across 11 apartment communities and 17 available units. Rents have decreased $423 (8.5%) over the past month.
The most affordable option is Ion Lincoln Park starting at $1,529/mo. By unit type, a 3-bedroom averages $4,549/mo.
Prices range from $1,529 to $10,540 per month. The most common price point is the $2,000 range, where 5 units are currently listed.
Chicago, IL Rent Price History
View as table
| Month | Avg Rent | Change | Properties |
|---|---|---|---|
| June 2026 | $3,188 | - | 5 |
| July 2026 | $3,322 | +$134 | 9 |
| August 2026 | $3,534 | +$212 | 11 |
| September 2026 | $3,592 | +$58 | 11 |
| October 2026 | $3,635 | +$43 | 10 |
The trend line and monthly averages track each building's average listed price, recorded daily with outliers trimmed. The current month is a month-to-date figure, so it can sit above or below today's live market average shown at the top of this page.
Rent Price Distribution
Rent by Bedroom Type in Chicago, IL
Rent Prices by Apartment in Chicago, IL
| Property | Starting at | Average | Units | Rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ion Lincoln Park | $1,529/mo | $1,529/mo | 1 | 3.5 |
| Lake Meadows Apartments | $2,010/mo | $2,132/mo | 6 | 2.6 |
| Hotspot Apartment Rentals | $3,286/mo | $3,286/mo | 1 | 5 |
| Webster House Apartments | $3,800/mo | $3,900/mo | 2 | 4.9 |
| Chicago Apartment Place, Inc. | $3,895/mo | $3,895/mo | 1 | 3.7 |
| Sentral Michigan Avenue | Chicago Apartments | $6,018/mo | $6,018/mo | 1 | 4.8 |
| Parq Fulton | $6,412/mo | $6,412/mo | 1 | 4.8 |
Frequently Asked Questions About Rent in Chicago, IL
What is the average rent in Chicago, IL?
Is rent going up or down in Chicago, IL?
What is the cheapest apartment in Chicago, IL?
How many apartments are available in Chicago, IL?
What salary do I need to live comfortably in Chicago, IL?
Built on the 25 to 30 percent rent-to-income guideline used by most landlords and credit-scoring models.
Minimum to afford average rent
$182,000/year
Based on the 30 percent rule, using our tracked average rent of $4,549/mo.
Comfortable income
$218,000/year
Based on the 25 percent rule, leaving more room for savings, transport, and groceries.
To afford the cheapest tracked apartment ($1,529/mo), you need to earn at least $61,000/year.
Median household income in Chicago, IL is $75,134 , about 66% below the comfortable-living threshold.
Cost of living in Chicago, IL
Overall prices in Chicago, IL runs above the national average by about 2% (BEA Regional Price Parity index 102.5, where 100 equals the U.S. average). The breakdown below estimates monthly costs for a single adult, using national consumer-spending baselines from the Bureau of Labor Statistics scaled by Chicago, IL's regional price parities.
| Category | Monthly estimate |
|---|---|
| Rent (market average) | $4,549 |
| Utilities | $477 |
| Groceries | $563 |
| Transportation | $1,138 |
| Healthcare | $555 |
| Other goods and services | $888 |
| Estimated total | $8,170/mo |
Population
2,707,648
Median household income
$75,134
Census median rent
$1,380/mo
Census rent burden
29.0%
Median age
35.7
Mean commute
34 min
Methodology
Rent data
Sourced directly from each tracked apartment community and refreshed every 24 hours. Every listed unit price on this page is real and listed today.
Cost of living
Estimates combine national consumer-spending baselines from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (Consumer Expenditure Survey) with the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis Regional Price Parities (MARPP dataset). Both are peer-reviewed federal data releases published annually.
Salary to live comfortably
Applies the standard 25 to 30 percent rent-to-income rule on top of the listed rent. This is the same affordability guideline used by most landlords and credit-scoring models.
Demographic figures
Median household income, population, median age, commute time, Census median rent, and rent as percentage of income come from the U.S. Census Bureau's American Community Survey 5-year estimates, the most recent complete release.
Cost of living and demographic figures were last published in 2023.
Google Search Trends for Chicago, IL Apartments
Search interest for apartments in this area over the past 12 months.
Search Interest Over Time
Explore Chicago, IL Apartments
Browse all 11 communities with daily-updated pricing and availability.