DeKalb County, IL at a glance
Median household income
$70,724$5,894 per month · U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-YearHow much rent can you afford in DeKalb County, IL?
HUD’s fair market rent for each size, against what a typical household here earns. Change the income to see yours.
How much is rent in DeKalb County, IL? By bedroom, 2026
HUD's fiscal 2026 Fair Market Rents for DeKalb County, IL HUD Metro FMR Area, with the income each one takes if rent stays under 30% of it.
| Unit Size | Monthly Rent | Annual Rent | 30% Rule Min. Income | % of Median Income |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Studio / Efficiency | $947 | $11,364 | $37,880 | 16.1% |
| 1-Bedroom Apartment | $1,046 | $12,552 | $41,840 | 17.7% |
| 2-Bedroom ApartmentBenchmark | $1,373 | $16,476 | $54,920 | 23.3% |
| 3-Bedroom Home | $1,825 | $21,900 | $73,000 | 31% |
| 4-Bedroom Home | $2,203 | $26,436 | $88,120 | 37.4% |
What a typical income covers in DeKalb County, IL
The 50/30/20 rule applied to the local median of $70,724 a year ($5,894 a month before tax).
What $70,724 leaves after Illinois taxes
Federal income tax, Social Security, Medicare and Illinois tax on the local median income. Change the salary to see yours.
Rent, jobs and pay in Illinois
Living in DeKalb County, IL: common questions
What is the median household income in DeKalb County, IL?
According to the latest U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-Year survey, the median household income in DeKalb County, IL is $70,724 per year (approximately $5,894 per month).
What is the average rent in DeKalb County, IL?
The closest official figure is HUD's Fair Market Rent for 2026: $947 for a studio, $1,046 for one bedroom, $1,373 for two, $1,825 for three and $2,203 for four, utilities included.
It is not an average of listings. HUD sets it at the rent 40% of recent movers paid or less for a standard unit, so a new lease on a nicer place will usually cost more.
Is DeKalb County, IL expensive to live in?
Prices there run 3.6% above the U.S. average. BEA's regional price parity for the metro area is 103.6, where the U.S. is 100. Rent moves the number most: housing is where places differ, while goods cost about the same everywhere.
How much do you need to earn to comfortably afford rent in DeKalb County, IL?
To keep a $1,373 two-bedroom under 30% of gross income, a household needs about $54,920 a year, or $4,577 a month. That is 78% of what the typical household in DeKalb County, IL earns.
How much do you need to live comfortably in DeKalb County, IL?
On the local median income of $70,724 ($5,894 a month before tax), the 50/30/20 rule leaves $2,947 a month for needs like rent, utilities and groceries, $1,768 for everything else and $1,179 for savings or debt. A two-bedroom at $1,373 takes 47% of the needs share.
How much is the electric bill in DeKalb County, IL?
Homes in Illinois paid 19.9¢ per kWh on average (EIA). At 900 kWh a month, a typical use, that is about $179. Your bill depends mostly on heating and cooling.