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Apartments for Rent in Chicago, IL
3,276 Rentals Available

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Average rent in Chicago, IL

$2,224/mo Chicago, IL average rental price, October 2022
Image Average Rent

The average monthly rent of apartments in Chicago, IL is $2,224.

Chicago, IL apartment rent ranges

About 19% of apartment rents in Chicago, IL range between $1,001-$1,500. Meanwhile, apartments priced over $1,501-$2,000 represent 20% of apartments. Around 8% of Chicago’s apartments are in the $701-$1,000 price range. 1% of apartments are priced between $501-$700.

Chicago, IL rent trends

Check out the average rent prices in Chicago by neighborhood.

Compared to the national average rent of $1,727, the average rent in Chicago, IL is $2,224.

Getting around in Chicago, IL

86 /100
Very Walkable
65 /100
Good Transit
64 /100
Bikeable
Walk Score®: 86, Transit Score®: 65, Bike Score®: 64

Frequently asked questions

When were prices and availability in Chicago, IL last updated?

Prices and availability in Chicago, IL were last updated on 31 Jan 2023.

What are the best apartments in Chicago, IL?

The best apartments in Chicago, IL are: Shorewind Apartments, 7251 at Waters Edge Apartment Homes, 3616 N. Pine Grove Ave., 6154-56 North Talman/2635-39 W. Granville and 8057 S Laflin Ave.

What is the average rent in Chicago, IL?

The average rent in Chicago, IL is $2,224. Start your search for apartments in Chicago, IL now.

What is the price range for a studio apartment in Chicago, IL?

The price range for a studio apartment in Chicago, IL is between $550 and $22,000. View all studio apartments in Chicago, IL.

What is the price range for a 1-bedroom apartment in Chicago, IL?

The price range for a 1-bedroom apartment in Chicago, IL is between $130 and $14,485. Browse all available 1-bedroom apartments in Chicago, IL now.

What is the price range for a 2-bedroom apartment in Chicago, IL?

The price range for a 2-bedroom apartment in Chicago, IL is between $130 and $24,178. Browse and find a 2-bedroom apartment in Chicago, IL.

What is the price range for a 3-bedroom apartment in Chicago, IL?

The price range for a 3-bedroom apartment in Chicago, IL is between $121 and $37,472. Browse all available 3-bedroom apartments in Chicago, IL.

What type of rental buildings are in Chicago, IL?

In Chicago 55% of the housing is rented out compared to 45% of homes are owned, according to the most recent Census Bureau estimates. 25% of Chicago’s apartments are found in large buildings of 50 units or more, 68% are located in smaller apartment complexes with less than 50 units, and 7% are single-family rentals.

What do typical apartment communities look like in Chicago, IL?

The age and size of multifamily buildings are among the most visible characteristics of the rental market in a city.  In this case, the apartment buildings in Chicago are about 40 years old, on average. Of these, 40% have been built since 2000, representing the newer options on the market and typically offering more amenities. Rental buildings in the city have an average height of 19 stories. About 15% of the rental communities here are low-rise, garden-style communities, 31% are mid-rises, and 53% are high-rise buildings. These are true especially for large-scale multifamily buildings with over 50 apartments.

What apartment floorplans are common in Chicago, IL?

Studio apartments in Chicago are around 22% of rentals, while 1-bedroom floor plans represent 51% of the total stock. For those in search of larger rentals, 2-bedroom floorplans make up 21% of all rentals. More generous apartments with 3 bedrooms or more are also available in this city for those in search of more space.

Chicago, IL in the news

Renter's guide to Chicago, IL

If there is just one thing Chicago is known for, it most certainly is its spectacular lakefront. It’s the essence of Chicago, affecting not only the weather but also distinguishing the city from anywhere else in the world. The 3rd largest city behind New York and Los Angeles, Chicago is nevertheless the largest city on the largest body of fresh water on the planet - the Great Lakes.

Its location in the middle of the country has always been a factor in its role as the country’s transportation hub - first as a port, then a railroad hub, and now home to the 2nd busiest airport in the US. As much as the weather’s unpredictable nature can be challenging, so too can its lakefront tempered climate create absolutely perfect weather conditions on countless days of the year. Many complain about the weather but few ever leave Chicago because of it.

Tips for renting in Chicago, IL

Over a quarter century ago, Chicago passed one of the most all-encompassing renter’s rights bills in the nation. Known as the Chicago Residential Landlord Tenant Ordinance and last updated in 2010, it provides extensive protection to those who rent in Chicago.

The law covers a whole host of safeguards for tenants, such as interest on security deposits and timely return of the deposits, 48-hour notification to enter the apartment, sufficient notice of lease termination, rights to timely repairs, essential services such as water, electricity and heat, and protection against landlord retaliations. These are just a few of many renters’ rights established in the law. Many cities don’t have such legislation in place so it behooves anyone relocating to Chicago to obtain a copy online and review it before signing any lease.

Things for renting

Chicago, IL demographics

Chicago, IL has a population of 2,699,347 according to the most recent data from the U.S. Census Bureau. 1,388,469 of Chicago’s residents are women and 1,310,878 are men. The median age of those who live in Chicago, IL is 34.8.

Living in Chicago, IL

Favorable reasons for living in Chicago far outweigh negative factors. Possibly the most underrated reason to live in Chicago is being on the Great Lakes and having access to clean, fresh drinking water that tastes great right from the tap. You’ll never have to buy another bottle of water again!

Chicago offers a plethora of attractions and fun things to do, though, the city’s lakefront parks, trails, and beaches that line its 20-mile shoreline are by far its biggest attraction and it’s all free. Sports lovers may not have a better sports town anywhere, with two major league baseball teams (Chicago Cubs and Chicago White Sox), a storied football franchise (Chicago Bears), a basketball team that was home to Michael Jordan (Chicago Bulls), an “original six” hockey team (Chicago Blackhawks), and a major league soccer team (Chicago Fire Soccer Club). This doesn’t even begin to speak to the hundreds of amateur sports leagues for Chicagoans who enjoy playing sports as much as watching them.

All that sports can work up an appetite and there’s no better place to satisfy it than in Chicago’s neighborhoods, where you’ll find every imaginable palette of food. A city of neighborhoods, one could spend a lifetime indulging in the diversity and charm that each offers. Are there negatives to living in the Windy City? Yes, the weather. However, even the unpredictable Chicago weather can be turned into a positive. As the saying goes, if you don’t like the weather in Chicago just wait a few hours and it will change!

Finally, it’s worth mentioning that there are few places with such a diverse population. More Poles live in Chicago than anywhere in the world outside Warsaw and more Mexicans live here than anywhere in the country. From Asian to Ukrainian and every ethnicity in between, Chicago is home to over 500,000 foreign-born immigrants!

Chicago, IL households

  • 565,754 Family
    515,389 Non-family
  • 274,229 Children
    806,914 No Children
  • 1,081,143Total Number of Households
  • 2.44Average People Per Household
  • $62,097Median Household Income

According to U.S. Census data, there are 1,081,143 households in Chicago, IL. 565,754 are family households and 515,389 are non-family households. There are 274,229 households with children in Chicago and 806,914 households without children. On average, about 2.44 people live in a household in Chicago, IL.

Things to do in Chicago, IL

Navy Pier is a big draw as is Millennium Park, in downtown Chicago. Attending a professional sports event is always popular, particularly a visit to the venerable Wrigley Field. Skyscrapers such as the Hancock Center and the Willis Tower offer scenic views of the city and surrounding states from their observation decks. Chicago is also home to one of the nation's oldest and largest zoos - Lincoln Park Zoo - that houses over 1,000 animals representing nearly 200 species, and it’s all free of charge.

Some of Chicago’s more notable annual events include the dozens of neighborhood festivals and nationally recognized neighborhood art fairs; the Chicago Jazz Festival, which features world-class jazz musicians; the Taste of Chicago, which highlights some of the best restaurants in Chicago; parades, parades and more parades, including the Gay Pride Parade and weekend festival that has grown to be one the largest and most well-known LGBT events in the world; and the Chicago Air and Water Show, which showcases some of the most exciting displays of aircraft in the country. 

Things to do

Some of Chicago’s more notable annual events include the dozens of neighborhood festivals and nationally recognized neighborhood art fairs; the Chicago Jazz Festival, which features world-class jazz musicians; the Taste of Chicago, which highlights some of the best restaurants in Chicago; parades, parades and more parades, including the Gay Pride Parade and weekend festival that has grown to be one the largest and most well-known LGBT events in the world; and the Chicago Air and Water Show, which showcases some of the most exciting displays of aircraft in the country. 

Then, of course, there’s the world-renowned city culture. A few of the more recognized cultural institutions include the Chicago Symphony, the Art Institute of Chicago, the Field Museum of Natural History, and the Museum of Science and Industry. 

Chicago has one of the most extensive parks’ systems in the country. Lincoln Park, the city’s largest occupying nearly 5 miles along Chicago’s north lakefront, includes dozens of beaches along that stretch. Grant Park, located in downtown Chicago, includes Millennium Park and the Pritzker Music Pavilion, designed by world-renowned architect, Richard Gehry. Jackson Park encompasses 500 acres along the city’s south lakefront, was home to Chicago’s 1893 World’s Fair, and was designed by the father of landscape architects, Frederick Law Olmsted. Humboldt Park, a popular neighborhood park occupying over 200 acres in the heart of the city’s northwest side, is the only park in the city not on the lakefront with its own beach.

Chicago has one of the most extensive parks’ systems in the country. Lincoln Park, the city’s largest occupying nearly 5 miles along Chicago’s north lakefront, includes dozens of beaches along that stretch. Grant Park, located in downtown Chicago, includes Millennium Park and the Pritzker Music Pavilion, designed by world-renowned architect, Richard Gehry. Jackson Park encompasses 500 acres along the city’s south lakefront, was home to Chicago’s 1893 World’s Fair, and was designed by the father of landscape architects, Frederick Law Olmsted. Humboldt Park, a popular neighborhood park occupying over 200 acres in the heart of the city’s northwest side, is the only park in the city not on the lakefront with its own beach.

Yet, not all fun and activity is limited to Chicago’s outdoor space. Some of the best shopping in the city occurs indoors and one of the most spectacular of those places is Water Tower Place, located along Chicago’s Magnificent Mile - Michigan Avenue. Navy Pier, one of the city’s most popular attractions, includes a variety of stores and restaurants, a theater, 400’ carousel, boat rides, a children’s museum, and much more. If you happen to be in Oak Lawn, do check out Chicago Ridge Mall – it’s home to some great shops, a movie theater, and a food court.

Finally, some of Chicago’s best entertainment venues are in Chicago’s many ethnic neighborhoods. Just to name a few, Chinatown and Little Village, on the city’s near south side respectively highlight Chicago’s Asian and Mexican cultures. Korean culture abounds in the Albany Park neighborhood and you’ll be immersed in Indian culture in Chicago’s West Ridge community.

 

Things to do

Chicago, IL employment & economy

Chicago is not only culturally diverse, it’s also economically diverse, which keeps the city unemployment rate low. No one industry dominates the city’s economy, though some industries stand out. Every major bank in the country and a number of international banks have branches in the city. Chicago is home to the Chicago Mercantile Exchange, founded in Chicago as a commodities exchange in the 19th century and now the largest options and futures exchange in the world. The medical industry is also well represented in teaching and research facilities as well as many major hospitals. Finally, the software industry is growing rapidly with most of the major companies, such as Microsoft, Google, and Intel, maintaining offices in a city that has been termed “Silicon Prairie” for all the start-ups that are blossoming in the city’s small business incubators. One of the primary reasons that Chicago is so attractive to 21st-century industries is its highly educated workforce, due mainly to the availability of some of the country’s best schools and universities.

Education in Chicago, IL

The Chicago Public Schools is the third largest school district in the US with more than 600 schools providing quality education to approximately 400,000 children. Top universities in the city include University of Chicago, DePaul University, Northwestern University, and Columbia College, to name a few.

Chicago, IL education statistics

The level of education of the population of Chicago, IL is as follows: 6% have no high school education, 30% completed some high school, 20% partially completed college, 5% have an Associate Degree, 23% have a Bachelor Degree, and 15% have a Graduate Degree.

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