salaryRent is higher than in 67% of U.S. cities. A typical house costs under 3 years of household income, which is easy by U.S. standards. Most homes (77.6%) are owned, so rentals can be hard to find.
How much money do I need?
To rent here comfortably, you should earn about $78,080 a year. That is $38 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 259 of 334 cities from cheapest to most expensive.
How much do households earn in Crystal Lake?
Share of households by yearly income. 41.9% of households earn $100,000 or more.
Rent by apartment size in Crystal Lake
| Size | Crystal Lake | U.S. average |
|---|---|---|
| Studio | $1,223 | $1,338 |
| 1 bedroom | $1,349 | $1,324 |
| 2 bedrooms | $1,602 | $1,509 |
| 3 bedrooms | $1,914 | $1,698 |
| 4 bedrooms | $2,873 | $2,098 |
Median monthly rent plus utilities for all renters, by number of bedrooms.
How expensive is Crystal Lake 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 Crystal Lake, so the Illinois figure is shown.
Taxes and bills in Crystal Lake
Life in Crystal Lake
Is it cheaper to rent or buy in Crystal Lake?
Renting is cheaper right now: about $209 a month less.
Owning assumes a typical $311,400 home, 10% down, a 30-year loan at 6.5% and about 1.5% a year for taxes and insurance. You would also need $31,140 for the down payment.
Frequently asked questions
What is the average rent in Crystal Lake, IL?
Renting in Crystal Lake costs a median of about $1,952 a month in 2026, including utilities. The Illinois median is $1,517.
How much do I need to make to live in Crystal Lake?
To keep rent under 30% of income, you need about $78,080 a year, or $38 an hour at a full-time job.
Is Crystal Lake cheap or expensive?
Crystal Lake is rated OK: rent takes 20.0% of the typical household income of $116,929. It ranks 259th cheapest of 334 Illinois cities we track.
How much are property taxes in Crystal Lake?
The median homeowner in Crystal Lake pays $7,720 a year in property taxes, about 2.48% of the median home value.
Is Crystal Lake 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 Crystal Lake?
The median home value in Crystal Lake is $311,400, about 2.7 times the typical yearly household income.
40,579 people live in Crystal Lake. Numbers are typical (middle) values.