salaryRent is lower than in 82% of U.S. cities. A typical house costs about 3.8 years of household income. Commutes are short, about 14.2 minutes. Most households rent (63%), so there are plenty of rental options. It is a highly educated city: 56.7% of adults have a college degree.
How much money do I need?
To rent here comfortably, you should earn about $43,800 a year. That is $21 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 73 of 334 cities from cheapest to most expensive.
How much do households earn in Urbana?
Share of households by yearly income. 16.2% of households earn $100,000 or more.
Rent by apartment size in Urbana
| Size | Urbana | U.S. average |
|---|---|---|
| Studio | $973 | $1,338 |
| 1 bedroom | $954 | $1,324 |
| 2 bedrooms | $1,114 | $1,509 |
| 3 bedrooms | $1,480 | $1,698 |
| 4 bedrooms | $1,105 | $2,098 |
Median monthly rent plus utilities for all renters, by number of bedrooms.
How expensive is Urbana overall?
Everyday prices in the Champaign-Urbana metro area are 7% below the U.S. average (index 92.7, U.S. = 100).
Source: U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, Regional Price Parities 2024.
Taxes and bills in Urbana
Life in Urbana
What jobs pay in Urbana
| Job | Median pay | Rent / pay |
|---|---|---|
| Physician Assistant | $139,950 | 9.4% |
| Pharmacist | $139,270 | 9.4% |
| Nurse Practitioner | $137,100 | 9.6% |
| Lawyer | $129,990 | 10.1% |
| Software Developer | $106,080 | 12.4% |
| Electrician | $100,320 | 13.1% |
| Civil Engineer | $98,910 | 13.3% |
| Operations Manager | $96,610 | 13.6% |
| Plumber | $95,530 | 13.8% |
| Registered Nurse | $90,230 | 14.6% |
| Computer Systems Analyst | $86,690 | 15.2% |
| Dental Hygienist | $81,110 | 16.2% |
| Police Officer | $78,520 | 16.7% |
| HVAC Technician | $74,880 | 17.5% |
| Accountant | $69,670 | 18.9% |
| Carpenter | $66,980 | 19.6% |
| Market Research Analyst | $65,840 | 20.0% |
| Licensed Practical Nurse | $64,130 | 20.5% |
| Firefighter | $62,190 | 21.1% |
| Elementary School Teacher | $59,650 | 22.0% |
| Truck Driver | $56,270 | 23.4% |
| Warehouse Worker | $41,970 | 31.3% |
| Customer Service Representative | $41,280 | 31.8% |
| Nursing Assistant | $39,890 | 32.9% |
| Medical Assistant | $39,130 | 33.6% |
| Restaurant Cook | $36,040 | 36.5% |
| Retail Salesperson | $33,870 | 38.8% |
| Cashier | $32,130 | 40.9% |
| Server (Waiter/Waitress) | $31,200 | 42.1% |
Is it cheaper to rent or buy in Urbana?
Renting is cheaper right now: about $188 a month less.
Owning assumes a typical $184,900 home, 10% down, a 30-year loan at 6.5% and about 1.5% a year for taxes and insurance. You would also need $18,490 for the down payment.
Frequently asked questions
What is the average rent in Urbana, IL?
Renting in Urbana costs a median of about $1,095 a month in 2026, including utilities. The Illinois median is $1,517.
How much do I need to make to live in Urbana?
To keep rent under 30% of income, you need about $43,800 a year, or $21 an hour at a full-time job.
Is Urbana cheap or expensive?
Urbana is rated OK: rent takes 26.9% of the typical household income of $48,906. It ranks 73rd cheapest of 334 Illinois cities we track.
How much are property taxes in Urbana?
The median homeowner in Urbana pays $4,491 a year in property taxes, about 2.43% of the median home value.
Is Urbana more expensive than the national average?
Overall prices in the metro area are 7% below the U.S. average, according to the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis.
How much does a house cost in Urbana?
The median home value in Urbana is $184,900, about 3.8 times the typical yearly household income.
39,341 people live in Urbana. Numbers are typical (middle) values.