salaryRent is lower than in 56% of U.S. cities. A typical house costs under 3 years of household income, which is easy by U.S. standards. Most homes (80.6%) are owned, so rentals can be hard to find.
How much money do I need?
To rent here comfortably, you should earn about $61,120 a year. That is $29 an hour at a full-time job.
Is rent cheaper than other Illinois cities?
No. Rent here is more expensive than in most of Illinois. It is number 173 of 334 cities from cheapest to most expensive.
How much do households earn in Chatham?
Share of households by yearly income. 41.2% of households earn $100,000 or more.
Rent by apartment size in Chatham
| Size | Chatham | U.S. average |
|---|---|---|
| 1 bedroom | $1,115 | $1,324 |
| 2 bedrooms | $1,380 | $1,509 |
| 3 bedrooms | $1,746 | $1,698 |
Median monthly rent plus utilities for all renters, by number of bedrooms.
How expensive is Chatham overall?
Everyday prices in Illinois overall are same as the U.S. average (index 100.0, U.S. = 100).
Source: U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, Regional Price Parities 2024. City-level data is not published for Chatham, so the Illinois figure is shown.
Taxes and bills in Chatham
Life in Chatham
Is it cheaper to rent or buy in Chatham?
Renting is cheaper right now: about $159 a month less.
Owning assumes a typical $243,200 home, 10% down, a 30-year loan at 6.5% and about 1.5% a year for taxes and insurance. You would also need $24,320 for the down payment.
Frequently asked questions
What is the average rent in Chatham, IL?
Renting in Chatham costs a median of about $1,528 a month in 2026, including utilities. The Illinois median is $1,517.
How much do I need to make to live in Chatham?
To keep rent under 30% of income, you need about $61,120 a year, or $29 an hour at a full-time job.
Is Chatham cheap or expensive?
Chatham is rated Cheap: rent takes 15.9% of the typical household income of $115,155. It ranks 173rd cheapest of 334 Illinois cities we track.
How much are property taxes in Chatham?
The median homeowner in Chatham pays $4,866 a year in property taxes, about 2.00% of the median home value.
Is Chatham more expensive than the national average?
Overall prices in Illinois are same as the U.S. average, according to the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis.
How much does a house cost in Chatham?
The median home value in Chatham is $243,200, about 2.1 times the typical yearly household income.
14,639 people live in Chatham. Numbers are typical (middle) values.