salaryRent is lower than in 85% of U.S. cities. A typical house costs under 3 years of household income, which is easy by U.S. standards. Commutes are long, about 30.1 minutes each way.
How much money do I need?
To rent here comfortably, you should earn about $41,720 a year. That is $20 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 61 of 334 cities from cheapest to most expensive.
How much do households earn in Chicago Heights?
Share of households by yearly income. 17.4% of households earn $100,000 or more.
Rent by apartment size in Chicago Heights
| Size | Chicago Heights | U.S. average |
|---|---|---|
| Studio | $1,026 | $1,338 |
| 1 bedroom | $971 | $1,324 |
| 2 bedrooms | $1,053 | $1,509 |
| 3 bedrooms | $1,366 | $1,698 |
| 4 bedrooms | $1,743 | $2,098 |
Median monthly rent plus utilities for all renters, by number of bedrooms.
How expensive is Chicago Heights 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 Chicago Heights, so the Illinois figure is shown.
Taxes and bills in Chicago Heights
Life in Chicago Heights
Is it cheaper to rent or buy in Chicago Heights?
Renting is cheaper right now: about $74 a month less.
Owning assumes a typical $161,000 home, 10% down, a 30-year loan at 6.5% and about 1.5% a year for taxes and insurance. You would also need $16,100 for the down payment.
Frequently asked questions
What is the average rent in Chicago Heights, IL?
Renting in Chicago Heights costs a median of about $1,043 a month in 2026, including utilities. The Illinois median is $1,517.
How much do I need to make to live in Chicago Heights?
To keep rent under 30% of income, you need about $41,720 a year, or $20 an hour at a full-time job.
Is Chicago Heights cheap or expensive?
Chicago Heights is rated OK: rent takes 21.2% of the typical household income of $59,100. It ranks 61st cheapest of 334 Illinois cities we track.
How much are property taxes in Chicago Heights?
The median homeowner in Chicago Heights pays $4,248 a year in property taxes, about 2.64% of the median home value.
Is Chicago Heights 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 Chicago Heights?
The median home value in Chicago Heights is $161,000, about 2.7 times the typical yearly household income.
26,736 people live in Chicago Heights. Numbers are typical (middle) values.