Illinois Cost of Living
Housing costs and affordability data for 102 counties.
Average Monthly Rent
$837/mo
Average Home Value
$146,132
Average Owner Cost
$939/mo
▼28% below national average rentExplore on Map
At a Glance
Average Monthly Rent
$837/mo
28% below national median
Average Home Value
$146,132
48% below national median
Avg. Monthly Owner Cost
$939/mo
44% below national median
Affordability Rating
Affordable
Avg. rent under 30% of income
Housing Costs in Illinois: An Overview
The median rent in Illinois is $837 per month, which is 28% below the national median of $1,163. This makes the state relatively affordable compared to much of the country.
Within Illinois, housing costs vary significantly by county. Kendall County is the most expensive county with a median rent of $1,763 per month and a median home value of $298,900. At the other end of the spectrum, Hardin County offers the most affordable housing, with a median rent of $342 per month and homes valued at a median of $91,700.
The average home value across Illinois counties is $146,132, 48% lower than the national median of $281,900. With a median household income of roughly $68,580, homeownership remains within reach for many households.
Before moving to Illinois, it is worth understanding the local housing landscape. Costs can swing dramatically between rural and urban counties, so researching the specific county you plan to live in is essential. Use the county-level data below to compare rent, home values, and affordability ratings so you can budget accurately for your relocation.
Distribution
Rent Distribution in Illinois
How median rents are spread across 102 counties
Top 5 Most Expensive Counties
Kendall County
Illinois
$1,763/mo
Home: $298,900
Rent/Income: 31.0%
DuPage County
Illinois
$1,628/mo
Home: $374,100
Rent/Income: 27.0%
Lake County
Illinois
$1,434/mo
Home: $326,600
Rent/Income: 28.0%
Will County
Illinois
$1,413/mo
Home: $298,000
Rent/Income: 29.0%
Kane County
Illinois
$1,404/mo
Home: $303,000
Rent/Income: 29.0%
Top 5 Most Affordable Counties
Hardin County
Illinois
$342/mo
Home: $91,700
Rent/Income: 20.0%
Pope County
Illinois
$438/mo
Home: $165,300
Rent/Income: 17.0%
Calhoun County
Illinois
$479/mo
Home: $174,000
Rent/Income: 23.0%
Gallatin County
Illinois
$500/mo
Home: $84,700
Rent/Income: 19.0%
Alexander County
Illinois
$540/mo
Home: $58,700
Rent/Income: 25.0%
All Illinois Counties
| County | Median Rent | Home Value | Owner Cost | Rent/Income |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Kendall County | Expensive$1,763/mo | $298,900 | $1,976/mo | 31.0% |
| DuPage County | Expensive$1,628/mo | $374,100 | $1,901/mo | 27.0% |
| Lake County | Moderate$1,434/mo | $326,600 | $1,891/mo | 28.0% |
| Will County | Moderate$1,413/mo | $298,000 | $1,789/mo | 29.0% |
| Kane County | Moderate$1,404/mo | $303,000 | $1,778/mo | 29.0% |
| Cook County | Moderate$1,381/mo | $305,200 | $1,686/mo | 29.0% |
| McHenry County | Moderate$1,358/mo | $286,900 | $1,724/mo | 30.0% |
| Grundy County | Moderate$1,137/mo | $259,200 | $1,573/mo | 26.0% |
| Kankakee County | Moderate$1,075/mo | $185,700 | $1,202/mo | 29.0% |
| DeKalb County | Moderate$1,041/mo | $231,900 | $1,500/mo | 33.0% |
| St. Clair County | Moderate$1,032/mo | $168,800 | $1,154/mo | 28.0% |
| Champaign County | Moderate$1,018/mo | $205,100 | $1,206/mo | 31.0% |
| Boone County | Moderate$1,011/mo | $198,600 | $1,310/mo | 28.0% |
| Monroe County | Affordable$996/mo | $265,600 | $1,383/mo | 26.0% |
| McLean County | Affordable$992/mo | $198,300 | $1,251/mo | 26.0% |
| Winnebago County | Affordable$986/mo | $155,100 | $1,034/mo | 29.0% |
| Madison County | Affordable$969/mo | $167,900 | $1,109/mo | 28.0% |
| Sangamon County | Affordable$954/mo | $170,300 | $1,082/mo | 27.0% |
| Piatt County | Affordable$950/mo | $173,200 | $1,098/mo | 24.0% |
| Peoria County | Affordable$946/mo | $152,600 | $1,057/mo | 29.0% |
| Clinton County | Affordable$934/mo | $180,500 | $1,042/mo | 26.0% |
| Woodford County | Affordable$907/mo | $193,800 | $1,154/mo | 26.0% |
| LaSalle County | Affordable$906/mo | $154,900 | $990/mo | 26.0% |
| Ogle County | Affordable$901/mo | $184,100 | $1,084/mo | 24.0% |
| Tazewell County | Affordable$898/mo | $164,500 | $1,070/mo | 26.0% |
| Williamson County | Affordable$897/mo | $145,600 | $910/mo | 28.0% |
| Rock Island County | Affordable$863/mo | $144,700 | $1,004/mo | 29.0% |
| Jefferson County | Affordable$862/mo | $118,400 | $834/mo | 24.0% |
| De Witt County | Affordable$857/mo | $124,200 | $854/mo | 22.0% |
| Livingston County | Affordable$855/mo | $131,500 | $950/mo | 23.0% |
| Lee County | Affordable$853/mo | $155,100 | $966/mo | 24.0% |
| Bureau County | Affordable$838/mo | $121,900 | $920/mo | 25.0% |
| Henry County | Affordable$837/mo | $145,300 | $923/mo | 25.0% |
| Ford County | Affordable$836/mo | $118,100 | $864/mo | 27.0% |
| Schuyler County | Affordable$836/mo | $106,200 | $775/mo | 23.0% |
| Henderson County | Affordable$834/mo | $101,600 | $648/mo | 22.0% |
| Clark County | Affordable$828/mo | $123,100 | $871/mo | 29.0% |
| Adams County | Affordable$826/mo | $155,900 | $891/mo | 26.0% |
| Douglas County | Affordable$818/mo | $142,600 | $927/mo | 24.0% |
| Lawrence County | Affordable$810/mo | $95,500 | $607/mo | 24.0% |
| Fulton County | Affordable$808/mo | $102,500 | $786/mo | 26.0% |
| Whiteside County | Affordable$808/mo | $125,800 | $853/mo | 29.0% |
| Logan County | Affordable$804/mo | $125,900 | $907/mo | 27.0% |
| Putnam County | Affordable$804/mo | $167,800 | $936/mo | 23.0% |
| Vermilion County | Affordable$802/mo | $92,900 | $663/mo | 27.0% |
| Greene County | Affordable$800/mo | $94,400 | $709/mo | 22.0% |
| Macon County | Affordable$797/mo | $121,800 | $865/mo | 25.0% |
| Jo Daviess County | Affordable$795/mo | $193,900 | $1,063/mo | 29.0% |
| Jersey County | Affordable$794/mo | $168,800 | $1,013/mo | 26.0% |
| Coles County | Affordable$793/mo | $121,900 | $830/mo | 26.0% |
| Iroquois County | Affordable$793/mo | $125,400 | $847/mo | 28.0% |
| Massac County | Affordable$793/mo | $118,000 | $786/mo | 31.0% |
| Macoupin County | Affordable$789/mo | $126,100 | $830/mo | 23.0% |
| Carroll County | Affordable$784/mo | $113,500 | $819/mo | 24.0% |
| Menard County | Affordable$780/mo | $179,300 | $1,053/mo | 30.0% |
| Washington County | Affordable$776/mo | $149,800 | $920/mo | 21.0% |
| Wabash County | Affordable$774/mo | $103,900 | $697/mo | 24.0% |
| Moultrie County | Affordable$773/mo | $121,500 | $853/mo | 22.0% |
| Franklin County | Affordable$771/mo | $87,700 | $652/mo | 29.0% |
| Marion County | Affordable$771/mo | $100,100 | $785/mo | 26.0% |
| Marshall County | Affordable$767/mo | $137,800 | $858/mo | 23.0% |
| Jasper County | Affordable$766/mo | $122,900 | $849/mo | 19.0% |
| Stark County | Affordable$765/mo | $103,500 | $801/mo | 27.0% |
| Stephenson County | Affordable$764/mo | $127,500 | $877/mo | 27.0% |
| Shelby County | Affordable$762/mo | $130,400 | $792/mo | 21.0% |
| Crawford County | Affordable$761/mo | $113,700 | $796/mo | 20.0% |
| Mason County | Affordable$760/mo | $106,100 | $755/mo | 26.0% |
| Randolph County | Affordable$760/mo | $134,100 | $743/mo | 24.0% |
| Edgar County | Affordable$757/mo | $95,700 | $715/mo | 21.0% |
| Mercer County | Affordable$757/mo | $139,300 | $947/mo | 25.0% |
| Cumberland County | Affordable$756/mo | $117,700 | $785/mo | 22.0% |
| Hancock County | Affordable$755/mo | $108,400 | $723/mo | 23.0% |
| Richland County | Affordable$754/mo | $106,600 | $698/mo | 23.0% |
| Edwards County | Affordable$746/mo | $97,500 | $670/mo | 24.0% |
| Jackson County | Affordable$746/mo | $125,000 | $840/mo | 30.0% |
| Fayette County | Affordable$740/mo | $114,700 | $667/mo | 25.0% |
| Bond County | Affordable$735/mo | $133,100 | $865/mo | 21.0% |
| Effingham County | Affordable$734/mo | $179,800 | $947/mo | 21.0% |
| McDonough County | Affordable$730/mo | $103,500 | $832/mo | 30.0% |
| Christian County | Affordable$729/mo | $112,100 | $836/mo | 26.0% |
| Knox County | Affordable$725/mo | $104,900 | $814/mo | 32.0% |
| Brown County | Affordable$724/mo | $142,200 | $834/mo | 24.0% |
| Cass County | Affordable$723/mo | $95,500 | $793/mo | 22.0% |
| Montgomery County | Affordable$715/mo | $102,200 | $780/mo | 28.0% |
| Perry County | Affordable$714/mo | $105,200 | $692/mo | 32.0% |
| Saline County | Affordable$711/mo | $92,900 | $678/mo | 27.0% |
| Morgan County | Affordable$710/mo | $128,700 | $897/mo | 23.0% |
| Clay County | Affordable$709/mo | $94,300 | $734/mo | 21.0% |
| White County | Affordable$706/mo | $100,100 | $674/mo | 27.0% |
| Warren County | Affordable$694/mo | $101,300 | $824/mo | 19.0% |
| Scott County | Affordable$669/mo | $101,700 | $708/mo | 17.0% |
| Pike County | Affordable$659/mo | $100,100 | $765/mo | 27.0% |
| Union County | Affordable$658/mo | $131,700 | $746/mo | 28.0% |
| Johnson County | Affordable$634/mo | $148,200 | $735/mo | 27.0% |
| Wayne County | Affordable$632/mo | $109,400 | $795/mo | 25.0% |
| Pulaski County | Affordable$625/mo | $81,000 | $494/mo | 24.0% |
| Hamilton County | Affordable$566/mo | $108,800 | $661/mo | 19.0% |
| Alexander County | Affordable$540/mo | $58,700 | $570/mo | 25.0% |
| Gallatin County | Affordable$500/mo | $84,700 | $572/mo | 19.0% |
| Calhoun County | Affordable$479/mo | $174,000 | $924/mo | 23.0% |
| Pope County | Affordable$438/mo | $165,300 | $675/mo | 17.0% |
| Hardin County | Affordable$342/mo | $91,700 | $568/mo | 20.0% |
Compare Illinois to Other States
See how Illinois counties stack up against counties in other states. Compare rent, home values, and affordability side by side.
Start a ComparisonFrequently Asked Questions About Illinois Housing Costs
What is the most affordable county in Illinois?
Hardin County is among the most affordable counties in Illinois with a median rent of $342 per month.
What is the most expensive county to live in Illinois?
Kendall County is among the most expensive counties in Illinois with a median rent of $1,763 per month and a median home value of $298,900.
How does Illinois's cost of living compare to the national average?
Illinois's average monthly rent of $837 is 28% below the national median of $1,163.
What is the average home value in Illinois?
The average home value across all Illinois counties is $146,132.
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Compare Moving QuotesData: U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey (ACS) 5-Year Estimates (2019-2023) — Informational only. Not financial or legal advice.