salaryRent is higher than in 73% of U.S. cities. A typical house costs about 3.2 years of household income. Most homes (78.3%) are owned, so rentals can be hard to find.
How much money do I need?
To rent here comfortably, you should earn about $83,960 a year. That is $40 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 284 of 334 cities from cheapest to most expensive.
How much do households earn in Des Plaines?
Share of households by yearly income. 36.1% of households earn $100,000 or more.
Rent by apartment size in Des Plaines
| Size | Des Plaines | U.S. average |
|---|---|---|
| Studio | $2,017 | $1,338 |
| 1 bedroom | $1,361 | $1,324 |
| 2 bedrooms | $1,865 | $1,509 |
| 3 bedrooms | $1,964 | $1,698 |
| 4 bedrooms | $2,765 | $2,098 |
Median monthly rent plus utilities for all renters, by number of bedrooms.
How expensive is Des Plaines overall?
Everyday prices in the Chicago-Naperville-Elgin metro area are 4% above the U.S. average (index 103.6, U.S. = 100).
Source: U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, Regional Price Parities 2024.
Taxes and bills in Des Plaines
Life in Des Plaines
What jobs pay in Des Plaines
| Job | Median pay | Rent / pay |
|---|---|---|
| Lawyer | $165,660 | 15.2% |
| Pharmacist | $140,880 | 17.9% |
| Software Developer | $134,380 | 18.7% |
| Nurse Practitioner | $131,740 | 19.1% |
| Physician Assistant | $127,940 | 19.7% |
| Operations Manager | $109,390 | 23.0% |
| Police Officer | $107,810 | 23.4% |
| Computer Systems Analyst | $103,490 | 24.3% |
| Plumber | $103,380 | 24.4% |
| Electrician | $102,350 | 24.6% |
| Registered Nurse | $100,490 | 25.1% |
| Dental Hygienist | $100,260 | 25.1% |
| Civil Engineer | $100,160 | 25.1% |
| Firefighter | $82,820 | 30.4% |
| Accountant | $82,360 | 30.6% |
| Carpenter | $80,440 | 31.3% |
| Market Research Analyst | $80,400 | 31.3% |
| Elementary School Teacher | $78,390 | 32.1% |
| Licensed Practical Nurse | $78,070 | 32.3% |
| HVAC Technician | $77,960 | 32.3% |
| Truck Driver | $62,300 | 40.4% |
| Medical Assistant | $47,270 | 53.3% |
| Customer Service Representative | $47,100 | 53.5% |
| Nursing Assistant | $46,940 | 53.7% |
| Warehouse Worker | $40,550 | 62.1% |
| Restaurant Cook | $38,930 | 64.7% |
| Retail Salesperson | $35,820 | 70.3% |
| Cashier | $35,010 | 71.9% |
| Server (Waiter/Waitress) | $31,200 | 80.7% |
Is it cheaper to rent or buy in Des Plaines?
Renting is cheaper right now: about $230 a month less.
Owning assumes a typical $335,600 home, 10% down, a 30-year loan at 6.5% and about 1.5% a year for taxes and insurance. You would also need $33,560 for the down payment.
Frequently asked questions
What is the average rent in Des Plaines, IL?
Renting in Des Plaines costs a median of about $2,099 a month in 2026, including utilities. The Illinois median is $1,517.
How much do I need to make to live in Des Plaines?
To keep rent under 30% of income, you need about $83,960 a year, or $40 an hour at a full-time job.
Is Des Plaines cheap or expensive?
Des Plaines is rated OK: rent takes 23.9% of the typical household income of $105,558. It ranks 284th cheapest of 334 Illinois cities we track.
How much are property taxes in Des Plaines?
The median homeowner in Des Plaines pays $6,344 a year in property taxes, about 1.89% of the median home value.
Is Des Plaines more expensive than the national average?
Overall prices in the metro area are 4% above the U.S. average, according to the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis.
How much does a house cost in Des Plaines?
The median home value in Des Plaines is $335,600, about 3.2 times the typical yearly household income.
59,156 people live in Des Plaines. Numbers are typical (middle) values.