salaryRent is lower than in 74% of U.S. cities. A typical house costs about 3.5 years of household income. Commutes are short, about 14.9 minutes. Most households rent (56%), so there are plenty of rental options.
How much money do I need?
To rent here comfortably, you should earn about $49,240 a year. That is $24 an hour at a full-time job.
Is rent cheaper than other Illinois cities?
Yes. Rent here is cheaper than in most of Illinois. It is number 99 of 334 cities from cheapest to most expensive.
How much do households earn in Champaign?
Share of households by yearly income. 20.6% of households earn $100,000 or more.
Rent by apartment size in Champaign
| Size | Champaign | U.S. average |
|---|---|---|
| Studio | $998 | $1,338 |
| 1 bedroom | $1,068 | $1,324 |
| 2 bedrooms | $1,333 | $1,509 |
| 3 bedrooms | $1,471 | $1,698 |
| 4 bedrooms | $1,348 | $2,098 |
Median monthly rent plus utilities for all renters, by number of bedrooms.
How expensive is Champaign overall?
Everyday prices in the Champaign-Urbana metro area are 7% below the U.S. average (index 92.7, U.S. = 100).
Source: U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, Regional Price Parities 2024.
Taxes and bills in Champaign
Life in Champaign
What jobs pay in Champaign
| Job | Median pay | Rent / pay |
|---|---|---|
| Physician Assistant | $139,950 | 10.6% |
| Pharmacist | $139,270 | 10.6% |
| Nurse Practitioner | $137,100 | 10.8% |
| Lawyer | $129,990 | 11.4% |
| Software Developer | $106,080 | 13.9% |
| Electrician | $100,320 | 14.7% |
| Civil Engineer | $98,910 | 14.9% |
| Operations Manager | $96,610 | 15.3% |
| Plumber | $95,530 | 15.5% |
| Registered Nurse | $90,230 | 16.4% |
| Computer Systems Analyst | $86,690 | 17.0% |
| Dental Hygienist | $81,110 | 18.2% |
| Police Officer | $78,520 | 18.8% |
| HVAC Technician | $74,880 | 19.7% |
| Accountant | $69,670 | 21.2% |
| Carpenter | $66,980 | 22.1% |
| Market Research Analyst | $65,840 | 22.4% |
| Licensed Practical Nurse | $64,130 | 23.0% |
| Firefighter | $62,190 | 23.8% |
| Elementary School Teacher | $59,650 | 24.8% |
| Truck Driver | $56,270 | 26.3% |
| Warehouse Worker | $41,970 | 35.2% |
| Customer Service Representative | $41,280 | 35.8% |
| Nursing Assistant | $39,890 | 37.0% |
| Medical Assistant | $39,130 | 37.8% |
| Restaurant Cook | $36,040 | 41.0% |
| Retail Salesperson | $33,870 | 43.6% |
| Cashier | $32,130 | 46.0% |
| Server (Waiter/Waitress) | $31,200 | 47.3% |
Is it cheaper to rent or buy in Champaign?
Renting is cheaper right now: about $232 a month less.
Owning assumes a typical $210,900 home, 10% down, a 30-year loan at 6.5% and about 1.5% a year for taxes and insurance. You would also need $21,090 for the down payment.
Frequently asked questions
What is the average rent in Champaign, IL?
Renting in Champaign costs a median of about $1,231 a month in 2026, including utilities. The Illinois median is $1,517.
How much do I need to make to live in Champaign?
To keep rent under 30% of income, you need about $49,240 a year, or $24 an hour at a full-time job.
Is Champaign cheap or expensive?
Champaign is rated OK: rent takes 24.4% of the typical household income of $60,523. It ranks 99th cheapest of 334 Illinois cities we track.
How much are property taxes in Champaign?
The median homeowner in Champaign pays $4,639 a year in property taxes, about 2.20% of the median home value.
Is Champaign more expensive than the national average?
Overall prices in the metro area are 7% below the U.S. average, according to the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis.
How much does a house cost in Champaign?
The median home value in Champaign is $210,900, about 3.5 times the typical yearly household income.
89,996 people live in Champaign. Numbers are typical (middle) values.