Markets › Chicago
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Chicago IL Apartment Market Read
Covers Chicago, Naperville and Elgin.
Current market read
Landlord’s market
ConditionTight
The yearly data reads a landlord's market, and the monthly figures are mixed: asking rents are rising and jobs are slipping.
From public data. The situation now, not a forecast.
Renter Google searchabout 33,100 searches in September 2026 · HousesSee read → What renters Google mostHousesSee all →
Renter Google Search InterestGoogle · monthly
About 33,100 searches in September 2026, for Chicago on its own
November is usually one of the quietest months for renter searches here.
Attention, not a verdict. Google searches for apartments to rent.
METROSGNL PRO
We watch Chicago for you.
The day asking rent growth (now +4.6%) or job growth (now -0.1%) moves half a point, you get an email. Plus two years of history and the report.
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Momentum · which way it's movingRENT + JOBS · UPDATED MONTHLY
Mixed
Asking rents are climbing but job growth has cooled (September 2026).
Job growthBLS · SEPTEMBER 2026, PRELIMINARY
−0.1%
▼ Cooling, past 12 months
Job growth · 12 months
Oct 2025 to Sep 2026, with Pro
VacancyCENSUS · 2024
Share of rentals sitting empty. A yearly count, last taken 2024, not what sets the condition.
Asking rentZILLOW · MONTHLY
$2,063 a month
September 2026, ▲ up 4.6% on September 2025
Data Provided by Zillow Group
Asking rent · 24 months
Oct 2024 to Sep 2026, with Pro
Census 2024: +5.7% · US avg +4.6%
Median rentCENSUS · 2024
$1,469/mo
Typical rent. A yearly count, last taken 2024
Median rent · 8 yearly counts
2017 to 2025, no 2020, with Pro
In the news · ChicagoNEWS · DAILY
Latest local coverage, today. softer neutral firmer
William Covaci drops $25M for Arlington Heights apartment buildingBulls legend Scottie Pippen buys $2M Streeterville condoKiser Group expands to Cincinnati market with addition of veteran brokerView all 8 Chicago news →Demand vs supplyCENSUS + BLS
Weak demand
DEMAND
Jobs−0.1%
Migration 2025−3.6/1k
SUPPLY
Permits 2025-32%
Vacancy 20243.7%
Rent vs buyWEEKLY RATE · 2024 RENT
+$1,402/mo
Cheaper to rent than buying
rent $1,469 · own $2,871
$1,469RENT
$2,871OWN
Domestic migrationCENSUS · 2025
−3.6/1k
▼ More people left for other US places than moved in. A yearly count, last taken 2025.
OUTFLOWINFLOW
Census · BLS · FRED · Zillow · news
For information only. Not investment advice. AI-written summaries can make mistakes.