salaryRent is higher than in 67% of U.S. cities. Household incomes are higher than in 91% of U.S. cities. A typical house costs under 3 years of household income, which is easy by U.S. standards. Most homes (85.1%) are owned, so rentals can be hard to find. It is a highly educated city: 63.8% of adults have a college degree.
How much money do I need?
To rent here comfortably, you should earn about $78,200 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 260 of 334 cities from cheapest to most expensive.
How much do households earn in Geneva?
Share of households by yearly income. 56.8% of households earn $100,000 or more.
Rent by apartment size in Geneva
| Size | Geneva | U.S. average |
|---|---|---|
| 1 bedroom | $1,751 | $1,324 |
| 2 bedrooms | $1,970 | $1,509 |
| 3 bedrooms | $2,001 | $1,698 |
| 4 bedrooms | $1,867 | $2,098 |
Median monthly rent plus utilities for all renters, by number of bedrooms.
How expensive is Geneva 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 Geneva, so the Illinois figure is shown.
Taxes and bills in Geneva
Life in Geneva
Is it cheaper to rent or buy in Geneva?
Renting is cheaper right now: about $1,108 a month less.
Owning assumes a typical $441,400 home, 10% down, a 30-year loan at 6.5% and about 1.5% a year for taxes and insurance. You would also need $44,140 for the down payment.
Frequently asked questions
What is the average rent in Geneva, IL?
Renting in Geneva costs a median of about $1,955 a month in 2026, including utilities. The Illinois median is $1,517.
How much do I need to make to live in Geneva?
To keep rent under 30% of income, you need about $78,200 a year, or $38 an hour at a full-time job.
Is Geneva cheap or expensive?
Geneva is rated Cheap: rent takes 15.1% of the typical household income of $155,672. It ranks 260th cheapest of 334 Illinois cities we track.
How much are property taxes in Geneva?
The median homeowner in Geneva pays $9,951 a year in property taxes, about 2.25% of the median home value.
Is Geneva 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 Geneva?
The median home value in Geneva is $441,400, about 2.8 times the typical yearly household income.
21,258 people live in Geneva. Numbers are typical (middle) values.