Median gross rent
$1,274
Data period: 2020–2024 ACS 5-year
Source: U.S. Census Bureau ACS
Illinois housing market · county comparison
Illinois Rental Market
Compare rental conditions across Illinois from a landlord and investor point of view: demand tightness and income potential, expressed as an Illinois-relative indicator. Updated monthly as source data becomes available.
Indicator month: September 2026.
Key facts
As of September 2026
- As of September 2026, the Illinois RDN Rental Market Indicator is 44.4 out of 100 (Soft Rental Market), down 0.2 points from August 2026.
- The statewide indicator is up 3.3 points from September 2025.
- 102 Illinois counties have a ranked rental-market indicator.
- Edgar ranks first among Illinois counties with an indicator, at 88.2 out of 100.
Source: Illinois RDN rental indicator calculations from Census ACS and available Zillow county data.
Illinois RDN Rental Market Indicator
Current indicator
Indicator month: September 2026
Rental indicator
44.4/ 100
StableSoft Rental Market
Zone labels describe the score's level — not a sentiment survey, advice, or forecast.
- Versus prior month
- −0.2
- Versus a year earlier
- +3.3
Changes are indicator points, not changes in rent. The indicator describes relative landlord and investor conditions; it is not investment advice, an appraisal, or a forecast.
Component breakdown
Component scores are percentile ranks among Illinois counties.
- Rental vacancy25 points maximum
Not available — weight redistributed
- Rent momentum25 points maximum
Not available — weight redistributed
- Gross rental yield25 points maximum
Not available — weight redistributed
- Renter share10 points maximum
Not available — weight redistributed
- Rent burden15 points maximum
Not available — weight redistributed
Statewide indicator: 5-year history
Monthly scores over the last five years, updated with each monthly refresh.
Historical months apply the latest available Census ACS vintage; month-to-month movement comes mainly from Zillow home values and rent trends.
The statewide rental picture
Source measurements provide context; they are not rent quotes, property-level yields or the indicator score.
Typical rent · ZORI composite
$1,967
Data period: September 2026
Source: Data provided by Zillow Group
Illinois RDN composite of available county ZORI observations, not a quote for a particular home.
Rental vacancy
5.0%
Source: U.S. Census Bureau ACS
Gross rental yield
—
Source: Census ACS and Zillow ZHVI
ACS median gross rent × 12 divided by Zillow ZHVI county typical home value, before expenses; not a property-level return. Data provided by Zillow Group.
Renter share
32.9%
Source: U.S. Census Bureau ACS
Rent burden
29.1%
Source: U.S. Census Bureau ACS
Median gross rent as a percentage of household income.
Compare all 102 Illinois counties
Browse county readings and open a county page for sources, coverage and historical context. A dash means a measurement or score is unavailable.
102 of 102 counties
| AdamsZillow rent index | 38.1 | Soft Rental Market | #81 | No change | $828 | 4.3% | 533.7% | 27.9% |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alexander | 58.2 | Balanced Rental Market | #33 | No change | $656 | 13.7% | 1,319.1% | 22.4% |
| Bond | 45.7 | Balanced Rental Market | #62 | +0.7 | $785 | 7.6% | 575.5% | 23.4% |
| Boone | 33.1 | Soft Rental Market | #90 | No change | $1,041 | 4.1% | 436.4% | 18.2% |
| Brown | 41.2 | Soft Rental Market | #73 | −0.3 | $698 | 5.6% | 504.1% | 28.2% |
| Bureau | 65.7 | Strong Rental Market | #16 | +0.3 | $832 | 3.3% | 641.7% | 23.9% |
| Calhoun | 18.5 | Soft Rental Market | #102 | No change | $583 | 30.0% | 351.9% | 11.3% |
| Carroll | 51.8 | Balanced Rental Market | #45 | No change | $818 | 5.2% | 607.1% | 22.8% |
| Cass | 59.7 | Balanced Rental Market | #30 | No change | $723 | 9.7% | 878.4% | 24.1% |
| ChampaignZillow rent index | 38.6 | Soft Rental Market | #79 | +1.0 | $1,051 | 9.3% | 529.0% | 46.0% |
| Christian | 47.2 | Balanced Rental Market | #56 | −0.4 | $785 | 11.9% | 692.3% | 24.8% |
| Clark | 45.1 | Balanced Rental Market | #64 | −0.4 | $861 | 4.8% | 682.7% | 19.7% |
| Clay | 78.5 | Strong Rental Market | #5 | No change | $735 | 3.2% | 831.6% | 20.7% |
| Clinton | 39.2 | Soft Rental Market | #78 | No change | $912 | 4.5% | 486.0% | 19.7% |
| ColesZillow rent index | 68.3 | Strong Rental Market | #13 | No change | $780 | 3.0% | 645.2% | 39.6% |
| CookZillow rent index | 44.0 | Soft Rental Market | #66 | −0.5 | $1,435 | 4.5% | 506.1% | 42.3% |
| Crawford | 46.6 | Balanced Rental Market | #58 | No change | $811 | 11.7% | 713.2% | 18.1% |
| Cumberland | 35.9 | Soft Rental Market | #86 | No change | $772 | 6.2% | 541.3% | 15.8% |
| De Witt | 55.0 | Balanced Rental Market | #39 | No change | $903 | 6.0% | 661.4% | 21.5% |
| DeKalbZillow rent index | 35.0 | Soft Rental Market | #88 | −7.0 | $1,049 | 2.6% | 427.0% | 38.6% |
| Douglas | 59.9 | Balanced Rental Market | #29 | No change | $848 | 4.3% | 632.0% | 23.1% |
| DuPageZillow rent index | 30.4 | Soft Rental Market | #92 | −1.0 | $1,688 | 5.6% | 462.6% | 26.9% |
| Edgar | 88.2 | Strong Rental Market | #1 | No change | $775 | 1.4% | 842.2% | 27.3% |
| Edwards | 59.3 | Balanced Rental Market | #32 | +0.6 | $811 | 4.3% | 820.9% | 20.7% |
| Effingham | 37.2 | Soft Rental Market | #84 | No change | $733 | 5.4% | 402.6% | 21.8% |
| Fayette | 21.3 | Soft Rental Market | #100 | No change | $798 | 12.6% | 619.7% | 19.4% |
| Ford | 71.1 | Strong Rental Market | #8 | No change | $923 | 0.1% | 704.7% | 27.7% |
| Franklin | 70.0 | Strong Rental Market | #10 | No change | $803 | 1.9% | 857.4% | 25.9% |
| Fulton | 41.7 | Soft Rental Market | #72 | −0.6 | $785 | 14.8% | 778.4% | 23.4% |
| Gallatin | 81.7 | Strong Rental Market | #3 | No change | $541 | 0.0% | 723.1% | 22.6% |
| Greene | 54.5 | Balanced Rental Market | #41 | −0.9 | $754 | 8.0% | 731.4% | 21.8% |
| GrundyZillow rent index | 55.6 | Balanced Rental Market | #36 | −8.0 | $1,177 | 1.0% | 437.5% | 25.6% |
| Hamilton | 70.9 | Strong Rental Market | #9 | −0.7 | $568 | 0.0% | 571.3% | 23.6% |
| Hancock | 47.1 | Balanced Rental Market | #57 | No change | $782 | 12.1% | 815.9% | 18.7% |
| Hardin | 29.9 | Soft Rental Market | #93 | +0.3 | $379 | 10.7% | 451.9% | 20.5% |
| Henderson | 43.3 | Soft Rental Market | #68 | −0.4 | $764 | 13.2% | 730.7% | 18.9% |
| Henry | 52.2 | Balanced Rental Market | #44 | No change | $842 | 3.8% | 588.4% | 20.1% |
| IroquoisZillow rent index | 45.7 | Balanced Rental Market | #63 | No change | $799 | 4.7% | 601.6% | 20.0% |
| JacksonZillow rent index | 50.6 | Balanced Rental Market | #48 | +1.0 | $782 | 8.2% | 711.4% | 50.0% |
| Jasper | 46.2 | Balanced Rental Market | #60 | No change | $793 | 3.6% | 558.0% | 14.8% |
| JeffersonZillow rent index | 56.6 | Balanced Rental Market | #35 | No change | $885 | 6.0% | 721.9% | 28.3% |
| Jersey | 27.9 | Soft Rental Market | #96 | No change | $846 | 8.1% | 498.1% | 19.5% |
| Jo Daviess | 20.3 | Soft Rental Market | #101 | No change | $825 | 7.6% | 402.4% | 19.6% |
| Johnson | 28.5 | Soft Rental Market | #95 | +1.0 | $781 | 7.2% | 508.4% | 18.0% |
| KaneZillow rent index | 37.6 | Soft Rental Market | #82 | No change | $1,453 | 3.1% | 454.3% | 24.0% |
| KankakeeZillow rent index | 47.6 | Balanced Rental Market | #54 | −8.0 | $1,097 | 4.2% | 579.5% | 30.1% |
| KendallZillow rent index | 40.0 | Soft Rental Market | #76 | −13.0 | $1,781 | 2.8% | 540.5% | 16.0% |
| Knox | 50.8 | Balanced Rental Market | #47 | +0.3 | $788 | 6.6% | 787.1% | 29.2% |
| LakeZillow rent index | 39.6 | Soft Rental Market | #77 | −0.3 | $1,477 | 3.8% | 445.3% | 25.2% |
| LaSalleZillow rent index | 47.3 | Balanced Rental Market | #55 | +6.2 | $928 | 4.0% | 571.5% | 25.6% |
| Lawrence | 84.7 | Strong Rental Market | #2 | No change | $836 | 2.8% | 984.3% | 28.2% |
| LeeZillow rent index | 40.8 | Soft Rental Market | #74 | No change | $894 | 7.5% | 568.8% | 26.4% |
| Livingston | 49.3 | Balanced Rental Market | #50 | −0.3 | $880 | 7.2% | 612.7% | 25.7% |
| Logan | 69.6 | Strong Rental Market | #11 | +0.6 | $829 | 1.6% | 696.3% | 31.5% |
| MaconZillow rent index | 55.2 | Balanced Rental Market | #38 | +3.5 | $847 | 12.0% | 815.4% | 29.8% |
| Macoupin | 44.4 | Soft Rental Market | #65 | No change | $801 | 10.5% | 665.9% | 21.5% |
| MadisonZillow rent index | 63.7 | Balanced Rental Market | #21 | +0.5 | $1,024 | 4.1% | 621.9% | 25.8% |
| Marion | 66.1 | Strong Rental Market | #15 | No change | $794 | 4.0% | 764.7% | 25.3% |
| Marshall | 63.0 | Balanced Rental Market | #23 | No change | $782 | 1.6% | 652.3% | 20.8% |
| Mason | 55.3 | Balanced Rental Market | #37 | No change | $802 | 4.0% | 912.5% | 18.2% |
| Massac | 54.6 | Balanced Rental Market | #40 | No change | $756 | 4.5% | 772.6% | 23.6% |
| McDonough | 50.9 | Balanced Rental Market | #46 | No change | $761 | 11.9% | 901.5% | 36.5% |
| McHenryZillow rent index | 48.4 | Balanced Rental Market | #53 | −1.0 | $1,401 | 3.0% | 457.2% | 17.3% |
| McLeanZillow rent index | 50.6 | Balanced Rental Market | #49 | +2.0 | $1,009 | 5.8% | 464.7% | 34.9% |
| Menard | 35.1 | Soft Rental Market | #87 | No change | $885 | 3.4% | 507.5% | 20.5% |
| Mercer | 27.0 | Soft Rental Market | #97 | No change | $786 | 10.4% | 536.9% | 16.2% |
| MonroeZillow rent index | 31.7 | Soft Rental Market | #91 | No change | $1,042 | 3.4% | 388.3% | 15.3% |
| Montgomery | 36.7 | Soft Rental Market | #85 | −0.4 | $723 | 7.5% | 635.3% | 22.6% |
| Morgan | 48.9 | Balanced Rental Market | #52 | +0.4 | $722 | 8.0% | 635.5% | 27.2% |
| Moultrie | 43.2 | Soft Rental Market | #69 | +0.4 | $804 | 6.7% | 519.4% | 24.0% |
| Ogle | 52.4 | Balanced Rental Market | #43 | No change | $936 | 3.0% | 471.9% | 24.6% |
| PeoriaZillow rent index | 62.4 | Balanced Rental Market | #25 | +6.0 | $993 | 6.9% | 716.6% | 33.0% |
| Perry | 38.5 | Soft Rental Market | #80 | +0.3 | $728 | 8.3% | 734.9% | 19.1% |
| Piatt | 43.8 | Soft Rental Market | #67 | −0.4 | $1,046 | 4.5% | 518.6% | 15.2% |
| Pike | 57.6 | Balanced Rental Market | #34 | No change | $676 | 4.0% | 672.2% | 22.3% |
| Pope | 25.5 | Soft Rental Market | #98 | No change | $449 | 8.7% | 336.9% | 13.7% |
| Pulaski | 66.9 | Strong Rental Market | #14 | +0.3 | $634 | 5.1% | 787.9% | 31.8% |
| Putnam | 60.7 | Balanced Rental Market | #27 | No change | $851 | 1.5% | 540.1% | 18.5% |
| Randolph | 63.6 | Balanced Rental Market | #22 | +0.3 | $780 | 0.9% | 617.5% | 23.4% |
| Richland | 62.2 | Balanced Rental Market | #26 | +0.4 | $805 | 3.1% | 685.2% | 26.2% |
| Rock IslandZillow rent index | 54.5 | Balanced Rental Market | #42 | +6.0 | $889 | 6.5% | 680.3% | 30.3% |
| Saline | 71.9 | Strong Rental Market | #7 | No change | $726 | 2.8% | 945.1% | 27.5% |
| SangamonZillow rent index | 46.4 | Balanced Rental Market | #59 | +13.7 | $983 | 11.0% | 589.4% | 28.7% |
| Schuyler | 49.2 | Balanced Rental Market | #51 | −0.4 | $853 | 5.4% | 641.3% | 20.6% |
| Scott | 68.4 | Strong Rental Market | #12 | No change | $689 | 5.9% | 874.6% | 21.0% |
| Shelby | 65.0 | Strong Rental Market | #18 | +1.0 | $814 | 1.7% | 590.8% | 21.6% |
| St. ClairZillow rent index | 64.3 | Balanced Rental Market | #20 | −1.8 | $1,090 | 4.7% | 736.1% | 31.6% |
| Stark | 65.3 | Strong Rental Market | #17 | −0.7 | $735 | 0.4% | 618.3% | 19.9% |
| StephensonZillow rent index | 40.5 | Soft Rental Market | #75 | No change | $798 | 4.2% | 596.8% | 29.1% |
| TazewellZillow rent index | 34.3 | Soft Rental Market | #89 | +1.8 | $909 | 6.5% | 575.2% | 21.6% |
| Union | 46.0 | Balanced Rental Market | #61 | No change | $648 | 2.1% | 516.1% | 22.6% |
| VermilionZillow rent index | 41.8 | Soft Rental Market | #71 | No change | $838 | 9.5% | 992.5% | 29.8% |
| Wabash | 74.1 | Strong Rental Market | #6 | −0.3 | $794 | 1.2% | 695.3% | 23.7% |
| Warren | 80.3 | Strong Rental Market | #4 | No change | $788 | 3.3% | 800.4% | 24.8% |
| Washington | 62.7 | Balanced Rental Market | #24 | −0.7 | $818 | 0.2% | 584.5% | 15.9% |
| Wayne | 65.0 | Strong Rental Market | #19 | No change | $657 | 1.0% | 629.8% | 21.6% |
| White | 60.1 | Balanced Rental Market | #28 | +0.7 | $719 | 4.1% | 734.0% | 22.9% |
| WhitesideZillow rent index | 42.4 | Soft Rental Market | #70 | No change | $856 | 8.4% | 699.5% | 23.1% |
| WillZillow rent index | 29.8 | Soft Rental Market | #94 | −2.0 | $1,462 | 3.7% | 466.2% | 17.2% |
| WilliamsonZillow rent index | 59.5 | Balanced Rental Market | #31 | +1.0 | $930 | 5.2% | 707.5% | 29.3% |
| WinnebagoZillow rent index | 37.6 | Soft Rental Market | #83 | −1.0 | $1,021 | 4.6% | 580.4% | 34.1% |
| Woodford | 24.7 | Soft Rental Market | #99 | No change | $912 | 6.0% | 463.9% | 14.3% |
Illinois rent history
Illinois typical rent trend (RDN composite of Zillow ZORI counties)
Time range
Latest displayed month: September 2026 · $2,094
Data provided by Zillow GroupCounty Zillow ZORI observations are weighted by ACS renter households using a constant county set. This composite is not a quote for a particular property.
Method v1.0
How the RDN Rental Market Indicator works
This 0–100 indicator compares landlord- and investor-perspective rental conditions across Illinois counties. It is relative to other Illinois counties, not an absolute assessment of a property.
Rental vacancy
25 / 100 pointsVacant-for-rent units divided by renter-occupied plus vacant-for-rent units. Lower vacancy scores better.
Rent momentum
25 / 100 pointsThe 12-month change in Zillow ZORI where Zillow publishes a county index (about 30 counties). Otherwise, this component is unavailable and its weight is redistributed across available components. Moderate growth near 4% per year scores best; very fast growth is slightly penalized.
Gross rental yield
25 / 100 pointsACS median gross rent × 12 divided by Zillow ZHVI county typical home value, on the same rent basis for every county. This is a gross comparison, before expenses; it is not a property-level return.
Renter share
10 / 100 pointsRenter-occupied households divided by all occupied households.
Rent burden
15 / 100 pointsACS median gross rent as a percentage of household income. Lower rent burden scores better.
Ranking and coverage
Component scores are percentile ranks among Illinois counties. Available components are weighted as shown above. Missing components are excluded and the remaining weights rescaled; a county receives no indicator when less than 50 points of component weight are available.
Indicator bands are Strong at 65 or above, Balanced from 45 to below 65, and Soft below 45. The statewide indicator is an average of county indicators weighted by renter-occupied households.
Updates and historical readings
Updates are scheduled for the 20th of each month, after Zillow's mid-month release. Finalized months are locked. Counties without a Zillow ZORI index have no rent-momentum component. Method v1.0 applies the latest available ACS vintage across the displayed history.
The statewide rent trend is an Illinois RDN composite of county Zillow ZORI observations weighted by ACS renter households, using a constant county set. It is not a quote for a particular home or county.
This indicator describes landlord- and investor-perspective conditions only. It is not investment advice, an appraisal, or a forecast.
Questions about the indicator
What does the rental-market indicator measure?
It compares Illinois counties from a landlord and investor point of view using rental vacancy, rent momentum, gross rental yield, renter share and rent burden. Its 0–100 scores are relative to other Illinois counties, not assessments of individual properties.
Is the indicator investment advice?
No. It is an independent statistical editorial indicator, not investment, financial, legal or real-estate advice, an appraisal or a forecast.
Why do some counties lack Zillow rent data?
Zillow ZORI does not cover every county. Where a 12-month county ZORI change is unavailable, the rent-momentum component is excluded and its weight redistributed. Gross rental yield uses ACS median gross rent for every county.
How often does the indicator update?
Updates are scheduled monthly, on the 20th after Zillow’s mid-month release. The latest available source periods can differ, and finalized indicator months are locked.
Why might a rural county move little from month to month?
A county without a 12-month Zillow ZORI change has no rent-momentum component. Its available components include ACS five-year estimates, which update by annual vintage and may change little between monthly calculations.
How is the statewide figure calculated?
The statewide indicator is an average of available county indicator scores weighted by renter-occupied households. Counties without a score do not contribute to that average.
Sources and latest periods
Publisher datasets underlying the indicator and contextual rental figures. Periods reflect available stored source information, not live releases.
| Source | What we use | Cadence | Latest period | Link |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year (retrieved from the Census API or the Census Reporter mirror of the same official tables) | B25064, B25003, B25004, B25071, and B19013 | Annual vintage | 2020–2024 ACS 5-year | Source page · Census Reporter |
| Zillow Observed Rent Index (ZORI) | County rents and rent momentumData provided by Zillow Group | Monthly | September 2026 | Source page |
| Zillow Home Value Index (ZHVI) | Typical home values for gross-yield comparisonsData provided by Zillow Group | Monthly | Not provided in this summary | Source page |
| HUD Fair Market Rents | Fiscal-year voucher-program rent benchmarks | Annual | Not yet available | Source page |