100 Best Apartments in Chicago, IL (with reviews)

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Average rent in Chicago, IL

$2,309/mo Chicago, IL average rental price, July 2023

The average monthly rent of apartments in Chicago, IL is $2,309.

Chicago, IL apartment rent ranges

About 18% of apartment rents in Chicago, IL range between $1,001-$1,500. Meanwhile, apartments priced over $1,501-$2,000 represent 22% of apartments. Around 5% 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 $1,726, the average rent in Chicago, IL is $2,309.

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 26 Sep 2023.

What are the best apartments in Chicago, IL?

The best apartments in Chicago, IL are: 7251 at Waters Edge Apartment Homes, Inspire West Town, Shoreham and Tides, 6678-80 N. Olympia Ave. and 2028 N. Winchester Ave..

What is the average rent in Chicago, IL?

The average rent in Chicago, IL is $2,309. 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 $30 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 $195 and $11,011. 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 $300 and $47,257. 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 $300 and $55,853. Browse all available 3-bedroom apartments in Chicago, IL.

What type of rental buildings are in Chicago, IL?

In Chicago 54% of the housing is rented out compared to 46% 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 average age of rental buildings in Chicago is 40 years old, with 40% being newer apartment buildings completed since 2000. The average height of apartment buildings in the city is 19 stories, of which 21% are garden-style apartment communities, 26% are mid-sized buildings, and 61% are high-rises. These characteristics describe large-scale apartment communities of 50 apartments or more.

What apartment floorplans are common in Chicago, IL?

Rental apartments in Chicago come in a range of sizes and floorplans. Studio apartments represent 22% of units for rent, ideal for singles, renters on a budget and people who value central locations more than space. Rentals with 1-bedroom floorplans make up 51% of the total apartments in the city, while 2-bedroom floorplans represent around 21% of all rentals in Chicago. The rest are larger floorplans with 3 bedrooms or more, typically preferred by families, larger households or roommates sharing space.

Chicago, IL in the news

June Rental Activity Report: Kansas City Is Most In-Demand City, With Suburb Overland Park Coming in 2nd

To the north, Chicago dropped seven spots to #22, but nevertheless remains a sought-after place by renters. Specifically, there were 7% fewer listings available this month versus last June as the number of apartments added to renters’ favorites list nearly tripled.

Millennials Make Historic Switch From Renter-Majority to Homeowner-Majority Generation

Chicago was preferred by young professionals looking to settle down in a major metro. One of the reasons that may have led to the trend was the 36% income increase in Chicagoland in the last five years, according to IPUMS data. Between 2017 and 2022, the metro recorded a 75.6% rise in Millennial owners. That said, there were also 7% fewer Millennial renters and 25% fewer Boomer renters in Chicago than there were five years prior

April Rental Activity Report: Atlanta Leads as the Most In-Demand City, Manhattan Makes Top 5

Chicago is also buzzing with renting activity this month. This beloved Midwestern city occupies the 16th spot as the number of listings added to favorites by apartment seekers on RentCafe.com quadrupled in the past year. In addition, high demand led to a 10% drop in availability in the Windy City.

America’s Hottest Rental Markets at the Start of 2023: North Jersey Overtakes Miami as Competition Builds Up in the Northeast

Chicago’s RCI score of 45 has more than doubled since the start of 2022, although it's still easier to find apartments here than in cities with RCI scores above 70. With available rentals becoming fewer and farther between in the Windy City, many apartment seekers turned to the suburbs, only to face even fiercer competition as 2023 rang in. However, Suburban Chicago’s RCI score climbed 20 points to reach 93 at the start of 2023. That’s mostly because a lot of Chicagoans who moved to areas like Naperville, Evanston or Des Plaines during the pandemic chose to stay here. And, with virtually zero new apartments opened, would-be renters found themselves in a tight spot at the start of 2023. As a result, Suburban Chicago is the 10th hottest rental market in the U.S.

The National Apartment Size Shrinking as Studios & 1-Bedroom Apartments Gain in Share

Usually small in size, apartments for rent in Chicago seem to get slightly larger. Going from 704 square feet in 2012 to 797 square feet in 2022, renters in the Windy City have gained an extra 93 square feet (for a 12% increase) in the last decade.

America’s Hottest Rental Markets at the Start of 2023: North Jersey Overtakes Miami as Competition Builds Up in the Northeast

Chicago’s Rental Competitivity Index (RCI) score of 45 at the start of 2023 has more than doubled since one year prior, although it's still easier to find apartments here than in cities with RCI scores above 70. With available rentals becoming fewer and farther between in the Windy City, many apartment seekers turned to the suburbs, only to face even fiercer competition as 2023 rang in.

Adaptive Reuse Apartments Up 25% from Pre-Pandemic Numbers, Led by Record Office-to-Apartment Conversions

Despite leading in total conversions in the 2010s, Chicago landed in third place for adaptive reuse projects in the U.S. during the first two years of the pandemic. For example, a total of 732 new apartments for rent in Chicago were created through office conversions, with many more similar transformations to come. In particular, Chicago’s downtown area seems to be the best spot to tackle adaptive reuse projects — and the perfect example for that is LaSalle Street. And, with Millennium on LaSalle as a benchmark for success, the City of Chicago is taking proposals to revitalize what used to be an important part of Chicago’s Central Business District.

Renting Out the Neighborhood: 101 Zip Codes Switch From Homeowner to Renter Majority

Next up is Chicago’s 60606, which coincides with the West Loop neighborhood. In this area, the number of renters grew by two and a half times in a decade (151%). A thriving community that flaunts a 63% renter population, its residents are mostly Millennials and Gen Zers with high academic achievements. Deemed one of the best neighborhoods for young professionals in Chicago, the West Loop has had a spectacular transformation in the last two decades. In a true Cinderella story fashion, it blossomed from a commercial area into one of the best neighborhoods to live in Chicago.

News image for Would You Downsize for a Down Payment? Here Are the Cities Where You Can Get on the Property Ladder in Less Than 5 Years by Giving Up 1 Bedroom

Would You Downsize for a Down Payment? Here Are the Cities Where You Can Get on the Property Ladder in Less Than 5 Years by Giving Up 1 Bedroom

Chicago is not only the third-largest city in the U.S., but also a highly coveted place to be — and not just because of its unique architecture and deep-dish pizza. Renters here could save $8,916 per year if they gave up one bedroom, and that means that they'd be able to afford a down payment for a starter home in two years and three months.

Record Apartment Conversions Make 2021 Most Successful Year in Adaptive Reuse

Chicago is nipping at D.C.’s heels with 1,020 converted apartments in former office buildings. One successful example is Millennium On LaSalle, a 1960s structure that still fits picture-perfect downtown Chicago like a glove. This illustrates the fact that part of what makes adaptive reuse projects so attractive is that the old buildings remain part of the existing architectural fabric, while completely reinventing themselves at the same time.

Living in Chicago, IL

Curling the picturesque shores of Lake Michigan in northeast Illinois right up to the Indiana border is Chicago, the third-largest city in the country. Renters in Chicago are 100 miles south of Milwaukee, Wis.; 185 miles northwest of Indianapolis; and 200 miles north of Springfield, Ill. Home to dozens of parades, festivals, and beaches - as well as the Cubs, White Sox, Bulls and Bears - renting in Chicago guarantees endlessly exhilarating experiences every day. Additionally, rentals in Chicago are near hundreds of theaters and live music venues, in addition to an explosion of incredible restaurants. While deep dish pizza, Italian beef sandwiches and hot dogs are timeless Chicago treats, renters also recommend upscale dining at Brass Heart or Demetra Ethiopian Cuisine, as well as dessert at Lickity Split. The District of Chicago Public Schools provides renters with public education services.

Renting in Chicago, IL

There are more than 100 neighborhoods to choose from when renting in Chicago. First, The Loop is an upscale neighborhood that's popular with professional renters because there are high-rise luxury apartments close to dining, transportation, shopping and entertainment options. Or, for easy access to boutique shopping and the downtown area, shop-savvy renters choose West Loop. Meanwhile, River North (located north of The Loop) has a mix of high-rise apartments and historic loft houses for rent. Notably, the most expensive apartments for rent in Chicago tend to be in The Loop and along The Magnificent Mile (a shopping hotspot), while more affordable Chicago rentals can be found in uptown and Near North Side. High-rise apartments for rent in Chicago have pools, fitness centers and security. The luxury apartments for rent also have granite countertops, stainless steel appliances and bathrooms that can feel like a spa.

Shopping in Chicago, IL

Renters know that Chicago's shopping scene is downright incredible, starting with independent stores in uptown, like The Vintage Garage, Lillstreet Art Center and strange collectibles found at Woolly Mammoth. Otherwise, State Street - especially from Lake Street to Jackson Boulevard - is where renters will find department stores, such as Anthropologie, Banana Republic Factory and Sephora. Similarly, Block 37 on State Street has a giant historical Macy's store; rare beauty supplies at Palmer House Hilton Hotel; and department stores, like T.J.Maxx, Nordstrom, Express, Target and more. However, bordered by the Michigan Avenue Bridge and Oak Street, "The Magnificent Mile" is where renters will stumble upon Nordstrom; Marshalls; Bloomingdale's; more malls; and luxury brands, such as Coach and Bulgari. Or, for boutique shopping, renters go to the neighborhoods of Andersonville, Hyde Park, Lincoln Park, Pilsen and Bucktown. Renters near Oak Street are also close to boutiques, jewelry designers and top fashion brands.

Transportation in Chicago, IL

Chicago's public transportation system, operated by the Chicago Transit Authority, is the nation's second-largest. Here, the Red Line takes renters from Howard to 95th & Dan Ryan, while the Blue Line makes a downtown connection between Chicago-O'Hare Airport and Forest Park; the Brown Line takes renters from Kimball to downtown; the Green Line is a downtown route that takes renters from Forest Park to 63rd Street; the Orange Line takes renters to Midway Airport and the Southwest Side, while the Purple Line takes renters from Linden to Howard; the Pink Line takes renters from 54th/Cermak to the downtown Loop; and the Yellow Line ("Skokie Swift") takes renters between Dempster-Skokie and Howard. Alternatively, Metra trains from Union Station and Ogilvie Transportation Center provide renters with easy access to the Chicago Riverwalk. Various boat and kayak tours are also available. Finally, there are also more than 13,000 bike racks for public use, and Chicago's airports are O'Hare International and Midway International.

Look for apartments near me

Are you looking to land that one apartment near you that ticks all the boxes? Now you can browse through available RentCafe apartment listings in your area, rated and reviewed by verified residents. Comparing the size, price, amenities and location of apartments for rent near you is easier than ever. Do you feel like expanding the search beyond your neighborhood and ZIP code? Browse apartments for rent in your city and state to find the best fit, wherever you are in the U.S. Somewhere out there is the perfect apartment just waiting for you.

Whether you're looking for a studio, an apartment with one or more bedrooms, or maybe you're upgrading to a luxury apartment or need to acommodate a pet, RentCafe allows you to easily search for a rental near you based on your criteria, anywhere in the U.S. So, let's find your new home today!

RentCafe is your one-stop shop for finding a great new apartment in Chicago, IL. Easily search through a wide selection of apartments for rent in Chicago, IL, and view detailed information about available rentals including floor plans, pricing, photos, amenities, interactive maps, and thorough property descriptions. Property owners and managers are one click away, so feel free to contact them and find out all you need to know about the apartment you’re interested in. Browse Chicago, IL apartments with rents starting from $875 and submit your rental application today!

Finding a home nearby is easier than you think. Check out our Apartments Near Me page and take your pick!

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1 BED	$1,375
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Studio	$1,988+
1 BED	$2,547+
2+ BEDS	$4,001+

Apartments for Rent in Chicago, IL 3,611 Rentals Available

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