A renter’s guide to where new apartments are rising in Chicago, IL

Chicago has seen a major wave of new apartment construction over the past decade, with more than 52,900 new apartments completed across 25 zip codes.

For renters facing a tight market, knowing where these new buildings are clustered can make it easier to find modern apartments with updated amenities, strong transit access, and easy connections to jobs and city hotspots.

So, which Chicago neighborhoods added the most new apartments in the last decade?

Chicago gives renters a mix of big-city energy and relative affordability, especially compared to other markets. While the cost of living here is higher than the state and national average, many of the new apartments in these areas are close to CTA train lines and key bus routes, making it realistic to live without a car while commuting to jobs across the city.

If you are deciding where to live, these five zip codes are a strong place to start when searching for Chicago’s newest apartments.

8,641 new apartments make zip code 60607 Chicago, IL’s biggest construction zone

Zip code 60607 covers the West Loop, along with historic Little Italy and Greektown. This area leads in apartment construction with 8,641 new apartments added since 2015. Living in West Loop makes it easy to get around without a car. The neighborhood earns a walking score of 89, while the CTA Blue, Green, or Pink Lines connect renters to the rest of the city.

West Loop puts renters close to thousands of jobs in and around Chicago’s central business district. The neighborhood itself has become a major employment node, home to corporate offices for large brands, tech firms, and growing startups, such as Mondelez International, Uptake Technologies, and Google’s Chicago office.

6,651 new apartments in zip code 60610 expand housing in a downtown hotspot

Covering River North, parts of the Gold Coast, and sections of Old Town, zip code 60610 has added 6,651 new apartments. Transit in this zip code is some of the strongest in the city, thanks to the CTA Red and Brown Lines serving the area, along with frequent bus routes running through the neighborhood.

You’ll also live close to the Loop, giving you access to a broad range of professional, legal, financial, and government jobs within a few minutes’ travel. This includes giants such as IDEO, Gensler, Northern Trust, and Sidley Austin LLP.

Zip code 60605 brings in 6,416 new apartments south of downtown

If you’re looking for the conveniences of downtown living with slightly more open space, zip code 60605 is a great choice, welcoming 6,416 new apartments in the last ten years. You’ll be close to the CTA Red, Orange, and Green Lines, which all converge at Roosevelt station, with additional bus routes along Michigan Avenue and State Street.

Living in South Loop means extremely short commutes to the Loop’s business district. The Museum Campus employs workers at the Field Museum, Shedd Aquarium, and Adler Planetarium, while Soldier Field and McCormick Place create hospitality and events industry jobs.

Zip code 60654 welcomes 5,210 new apartments

Centered on the Merchandise Mart, zip code 60654 has added 5,210 new apartments. The area connects renters to the Brown and Purple Lines, while the nearby State Red Line stop is just a short walk away.

As a result, this neighborhood functions as both a residential and commercial center, with the Merchandise Mart housing design showrooms like Steelcase and Herman Miller and media companies such as WGN-TV.

3,536 new apartments in zip code 60640 expand housing in a lakefront neighborhood

Zip code 60640 offers 3,536 new apartments, along with plenty of transit options. Renters have access to three stations (Wilson, Lawrence, and Argyle), along with multiple bus lines. The zip code scores high for walkability and bike-ability, with flat streets and the Lakefront Trail offering car-free routes.

While Uptown has fewer large corporate employers of its own, its transit access puts jobs at major employers like JPMorgan Chase, Northern Trust, WGN-TV, and Northwestern Memorial Hospital within easy reach.

Chicago’s apartment construction has slowed compared to its late-2010s peak, impacted by rising costs and interest rates. However, development continues, focusing on updating older buildings and adding modern amenities like flexible workspaces and outdoor areas.

New projects mainly target areas near CTA rail lines and downtown job hubs, where demand remains strong. Renters face steady competition, but with more construction expected in the near future, there may be opportunities for better lease terms in buildings releasing multiple units.

Methodology

RentCafe.com is a nationwide apartment search website that enables renters to easily find apartments and houses for rent throughout the U.S.

This study uses data from 2015–2025, with the ‘past decade’ referring to this period.