salaryRent here is among the lowest 10% of all U.S. cities. A typical house costs under 3 years of household income, which is easy by U.S. standards. Commutes are short, about 17.7 minutes.
How much money do I need?
To rent here comfortably, you should earn about $37,840 a year. That is $18 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 44 of 334 cities from cheapest to most expensive.
How much do households earn in Decatur?
Share of households by yearly income. 13.9% of households earn $100,000 or more.
Rent by apartment size in Decatur
| Size | Decatur | U.S. average |
|---|---|---|
| Studio | $879 | $1,338 |
| 1 bedroom | $751 | $1,324 |
| 2 bedrooms | $951 | $1,509 |
| 3 bedrooms | $1,120 | $1,698 |
| 4 bedrooms | $1,106 | $2,098 |
Median monthly rent plus utilities for all renters, by number of bedrooms.
How expensive is Decatur overall?
Everyday prices in the Decatur metro area are 12% below the U.S. average (index 88.4, U.S. = 100).
Source: U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, Regional Price Parities 2024.
Taxes and bills in Decatur
Life in Decatur
What jobs pay in Decatur
| Job | Median pay | Rent / pay |
|---|---|---|
| Pharmacist | $145,960 | 7.8% |
| Nurse Practitioner | $110,820 | 10.2% |
| Software Developer | $110,300 | 10.3% |
| Lawyer | $100,790 | 11.3% |
| Civil Engineer | $96,170 | 11.8% |
| Operations Manager | $96,120 | 11.8% |
| Carpenter | $87,220 | 13.0% |
| Registered Nurse | $87,170 | 13.0% |
| Police Officer | $81,800 | 13.9% |
| Electrician | $81,020 | 14.0% |
| Dental Hygienist | $80,930 | 14.0% |
| Computer Systems Analyst | $80,410 | 14.1% |
| HVAC Technician | $77,770 | 14.6% |
| Plumber | $76,750 | 14.8% |
| Accountant | $76,720 | 14.8% |
| Market Research Analyst | $68,080 | 16.7% |
| Licensed Practical Nurse | $66,750 | 17.0% |
| Firefighter | $62,430 | 18.2% |
| Truck Driver | $59,100 | 19.2% |
| Elementary School Teacher | $59,050 | 19.2% |
| Warehouse Worker | $46,010 | 24.7% |
| Medical Assistant | $43,060 | 26.4% |
| Nursing Assistant | $41,990 | 27.0% |
| Customer Service Representative | $40,190 | 28.2% |
| Restaurant Cook | $36,440 | 31.2% |
| Retail Salesperson | $33,650 | 33.7% |
| Cashier | $31,320 | 36.2% |
| Server (Waiter/Waitress) | $31,200 | 36.4% |
Is it cheaper to rent or buy in Decatur?
Buying is cheaper month to month: about $255 a month less than renting.
Owning assumes a typical $99,600 home, 10% down, a 30-year loan at 6.5% and about 1.5% a year for taxes and insurance. You would also need $9,960 for the down payment.
Frequently asked questions
What is the average rent in Decatur, IL?
Renting in Decatur costs a median of about $946 a month in 2026, including utilities. The Illinois median is $1,517.
How much do I need to make to live in Decatur?
To keep rent under 30% of income, you need about $37,840 a year, or $18 an hour at a full-time job.
Is Decatur cheap or expensive?
Decatur is rated OK: rent takes 20.4% of the typical household income of $55,642. It ranks 44th cheapest of 334 Illinois cities we track.
How much are property taxes in Decatur?
The median homeowner in Decatur pays $2,279 a year in property taxes, about 2.29% of the median home value.
Is Decatur more expensive than the national average?
Overall prices in the metro area are 12% below the U.S. average, according to the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis.
How much does a house cost in Decatur?
The median home value in Decatur is $99,600, about 1.8 times the typical yearly household income.
69,815 people live in Decatur. Numbers are typical (middle) values.