salaryRent is higher than in 55% of U.S. cities. A typical house costs about 3.6 years of household income. Most homes (75.2%) are owned, so rentals can be hard to find. It is a highly educated city: 58.2% of adults have a college degree.
How much money do I need?
To rent here comfortably, you should earn about $70,520 a year. That is $34 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 221 of 334 cities from cheapest to most expensive.
How much do households earn in Downers Grove?
Share of households by yearly income. 46.9% of households earn $100,000 or more.
Rent by apartment size in Downers Grove
| Size | Downers Grove | U.S. average |
|---|---|---|
| Studio | $1,475 | $1,338 |
| 1 bedroom | $1,511 | $1,324 |
| 2 bedrooms | $1,990 | $1,509 |
| 3 bedrooms | $2,611 | $1,698 |
| 4 bedrooms | $3,145 | $2,098 |
Median monthly rent plus utilities for all renters, by number of bedrooms.
How expensive is Downers Grove 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 Downers Grove
Life in Downers Grove
What jobs pay in Downers Grove
| Job | Median pay | Rent / pay |
|---|---|---|
| Lawyer | $165,660 | 12.8% |
| Pharmacist | $140,880 | 15.0% |
| Software Developer | $134,380 | 15.7% |
| Nurse Practitioner | $131,740 | 16.1% |
| Physician Assistant | $127,940 | 16.5% |
| Operations Manager | $109,390 | 19.3% |
| Police Officer | $107,810 | 19.6% |
| Computer Systems Analyst | $103,490 | 20.4% |
| Plumber | $103,380 | 20.5% |
| Electrician | $102,350 | 20.7% |
| Registered Nurse | $100,490 | 21.1% |
| Dental Hygienist | $100,260 | 21.1% |
| Civil Engineer | $100,160 | 21.1% |
| Firefighter | $82,820 | 25.5% |
| Accountant | $82,360 | 25.7% |
| Carpenter | $80,440 | 26.3% |
| Market Research Analyst | $80,400 | 26.3% |
| Elementary School Teacher | $78,390 | 27.0% |
| Licensed Practical Nurse | $78,070 | 27.1% |
| HVAC Technician | $77,960 | 27.1% |
| Truck Driver | $62,300 | 34.0% |
| Medical Assistant | $47,270 | 44.8% |
| Customer Service Representative | $47,100 | 44.9% |
| Nursing Assistant | $46,940 | 45.1% |
| Warehouse Worker | $40,550 | 52.2% |
| Restaurant Cook | $38,930 | 54.3% |
| Retail Salesperson | $35,820 | 59.1% |
| Cashier | $35,010 | 60.4% |
| Server (Waiter/Waitress) | $31,200 | 67.8% |
Is it cheaper to rent or buy in Downers Grove?
Renting is cheaper right now: about $1,358 a month less.
Owning assumes a typical $449,800 home, 10% down, a 30-year loan at 6.5% and about 1.5% a year for taxes and insurance. You would also need $44,980 for the down payment.
Frequently asked questions
What is the average rent in Downers Grove, IL?
Renting in Downers Grove costs a median of about $1,763 a month in 2026, including utilities. The Illinois median is $1,517.
How much do I need to make to live in Downers Grove?
To keep rent under 30% of income, you need about $70,520 a year, or $34 an hour at a full-time job.
Is Downers Grove cheap or expensive?
Downers Grove is rated Cheap: rent takes 17.0% of the typical household income of $124,150. It ranks 221st cheapest of 334 Illinois cities we track.
How much are property taxes in Downers Grove?
The median homeowner in Downers Grove pays $7,227 a year in property taxes, about 1.61% of the median home value.
Is Downers Grove 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 Downers Grove?
The median home value in Downers Grove is $449,800, about 3.6 times the typical yearly household income.
50,054 people live in Downers Grove. Numbers are typical (middle) values.