salaryRent is lower than in 77% of U.S. cities. A typical house costs about 4.1 years of household income. Most households rent (58%), so there are plenty of rental options.
How much money do I need?
To rent here comfortably, you should earn about $47,080 a year. That is $23 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 84 of 334 cities from cheapest to most expensive.
How much do households earn in DeKalb?
Share of households by yearly income. 14.1% of households earn $100,000 or more.
Rent by apartment size in DeKalb
| Size | DeKalb | U.S. average |
|---|---|---|
| Studio | $850 | $1,338 |
| 1 bedroom | $970 | $1,324 |
| 2 bedrooms | $1,153 | $1,509 |
| 3 bedrooms | $1,520 | $1,698 |
| 4 bedrooms | $1,860 | $2,098 |
Median monthly rent plus utilities for all renters, by number of bedrooms.
How expensive is DeKalb 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 DeKalb, so the Illinois figure is shown.
Taxes and bills in DeKalb
Life in DeKalb
Is it cheaper to rent or buy in DeKalb?
Renting is cheaper right now: about $243 a month less.
Owning assumes a typical $204,700 home, 10% down, a 30-year loan at 6.5% and about 1.5% a year for taxes and insurance. You would also need $20,470 for the down payment.
Frequently asked questions
What is the average rent in DeKalb, IL?
Renting in DeKalb costs a median of about $1,177 a month in 2026, including utilities. The Illinois median is $1,517.
How much do I need to make to live in DeKalb?
To keep rent under 30% of income, you need about $47,080 a year, or $23 an hour at a full-time job.
Is DeKalb cheap or expensive?
DeKalb is rated OK: rent takes 28.2% of the typical household income of $50,130. It ranks 84th cheapest of 334 Illinois cities we track.
How much are property taxes in DeKalb?
The median homeowner in DeKalb pays $5,607 a year in property taxes, about 2.74% of the median home value.
Is DeKalb 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 DeKalb?
The median home value in DeKalb is $204,700, about 4.1 times the typical yearly household income.
40,443 people live in DeKalb. Numbers are typical (middle) values.