salaryRent is higher than in 53% of U.S. cities. A typical house costs under 3 years of household income, which is easy by U.S. standards. Commutes are short, about 16.8 minutes. Most households rent (67%), so there are plenty of rental options.
How much money do I need?
To rent here comfortably, you should earn about $68,480 a year. That is $33 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 210 of 334 cities from cheapest to most expensive.
How much do households earn in North Chicago?
Share of households by yearly income. 16.7% of households earn $100,000 or more.
Rent by apartment size in North Chicago
| Size | North Chicago | U.S. average |
|---|---|---|
| Studio | $1,033 | $1,338 |
| 1 bedroom | $1,393 | $1,324 |
| 2 bedrooms | $1,526 | $1,509 |
| 3 bedrooms | $1,740 | $1,698 |
| 4 bedrooms | $2,180 | $2,098 |
Median monthly rent plus utilities for all renters, by number of bedrooms.
How expensive is North Chicago 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 North Chicago, so the Illinois figure is shown.
Taxes and bills in North Chicago
Life in North Chicago
Is it cheaper to rent or buy in North Chicago?
Buying is cheaper month to month: about $605 a month less than renting.
Owning assumes a typical $159,600 home, 10% down, a 30-year loan at 6.5% and about 1.5% a year for taxes and insurance. You would also need $15,960 for the down payment.
Frequently asked questions
What is the average rent in North Chicago, IL?
Renting in North Chicago costs a median of about $1,712 a month in 2026, including utilities. The Illinois median is $1,517.
How much do I need to make to live in North Chicago?
To keep rent under 30% of income, you need about $68,480 a year, or $33 an hour at a full-time job.
Is North Chicago cheap or expensive?
North Chicago is rated Expensive: rent takes 31.7% of the typical household income of $64,896. It ranks 210th cheapest of 334 Illinois cities we track.
How much are property taxes in North Chicago?
The median homeowner in North Chicago pays $3,969 a year in property taxes, about 2.49% of the median home value.
Is North Chicago 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 North Chicago?
The median home value in North Chicago is $159,600, about 2.5 times the typical yearly household income.
30,643 people live in North Chicago. Numbers are typical (middle) values.