Looking to live in the affordable suburbs of Chicago as an apartment renter? Chicagoland has several suburban areas worth considering without paying as much as living in the city.
Whether you’re commuting for work or renting with roommates, here are some of the most affordable places to live in the Chicago suburbs that won’t break the bank.
10 Affordable Suburbs of Chicago: Best Places to Rent an Apartment Within Budget
Below are the top 10 best Chicago suburbs to rent an apartment based on affordability, lifestyle, and top neighborhood highlights.
1. Round Lake Beach
Source: Nextdoor
Round Lake Beach is known for its lakeside setting, multiple forest preserves, and seasonal outdoor festivals. It’s also family-friendly, with popular entertainment attractions such as Kristof’s Entertainment Center and the Children’s Neighborhood Museum.
The average cost of rent in Round Lake Beach for the following apartment floor plans is:
•Studio: $950 per month
•One-Bedroom: $1,450 per month
•Two-Bedroom: $1,800 per month
•Three-Bedroom: $2,500 per month
Located northwest, Round Lake Beach is one of the most affordable suburbs of Chicago and is around an hour and a half drive to the city.
2. Joliet
Joliet is known for its historic destinations, including the Route 66 highway, Rialto Square Theatre, and the Old Joliet Prison. It’s also a motorsports hub, as it’s home to the Chicagoland Speedway, Route 66 Raceway, and Hollywood Casino.
The average cost of rent in Joliet for the following apartment floor plans is:
•Studio: $1,157 per month
•One-Bedroom: $1,312 per month
•Two-Bedroom: $1,611 per month
•Three-Bedroom: $1,688 per month
Located southwest, Joliet is also among the most affordable suburbs of Chicago and is around an hour drive to the city.
3. Batavia
Source: City of Batavia
Batavia is known for its outdoor recreation, with the Fox River Trail, multiple parks, and natural areas. It’s also a family-friendly community, offering seasonal events like outdoor festivals and concert series in Downtown Batavia.
The average cost of rent in Batavia for the following apartment floor plans is:
•Studio: $1,165 per month
•One-Bedroom: $1,435 per month
•Two-Bedroom: $1,757 per month
•Three-Bedroom: $2,495 per month
Batavia is located west of Chicago and is around an hour drive to the city.
4. Oak Park
Oak Park is known for its architecture, with more Frank Lloyd Wright-designed prairie-inspired buildings than anywhere else in the world. It’s also highly walkable with a vibrant artistic hub, featuring local galleries, artisan workshops, and the Oak Park Conservatory.
The average cost of rent in Oak Park for the following apartment floor plans is:
•Studio: $1,412 per month
•One-Bedroom: $1,675 per month
•Two-Bedroom: $2,412 per month
•Three-Bedroom: $2,658 per month
Located west of Chicago, Oak Park is one of the closest village suburbs, around a 15-minute drive to the city.
5. Aurora
Aurora is known for its shopping and tourism, with one of the most popular outlet malls in the U.S. at the Chicago Premium Outlets and the Hollywood Casino Aurora. The Paramount Theatre and RiverEdge Park are also major entertainment destinations, with a revitalized downtown area.
The average cost of rent in Aurora for the following apartment floor plans is:
•Studio: $1,183 per month
•One-Bedroom: $1,599 per month
•Two-Bedroom: $2,000 per month
•Three-Bedroom: $2,435 per month
Aurora is located northeast of Chicago and is about an hour’s drive to the city.
6. Mundelein
Mundelein is known for its quiet suburban lifestyle and outdoor recreation. It has lakeside beaches, forest preserves, and golf courses. Yet, it still brings a city-like feel to downtown Mundelein, hosting seasonal festivals and major growing commercial and industrial sectors.
The average cost of rent in Mundelein for the following apartment floor plans is:
•Studio: $1,559 per month
•One-Bedroom: $1,699 per month
•Two-Bedroom: $1,942 per month
•Three-Bedroom: $2,526 per month
Located northwest of Chicago, Mundelein is a village suburb, around a 45-minute drive to the city.
7. Schaumburg
Schaumburg is known for its thriving economic center, with more businesses in Illinois than any other city outside of Chicago. It ranked as the Best Place to Live in Illinois in 2018 for its quality of life. These include acres of natural sanctuaries, working professional hubs, and entertainment destinations, such as the LEGOLAND Discovery Center Chicago.
The average cost of rent in Schaumburg for the following apartment floor plans is:
•Studio: $1,643 per month
•One-Bedroom: $1,852 per month
•Two-Bedroom: $2,154 per month
•Three-Bedroom: $2,477 per month
Located northwest of Chicago, Schaumburg is a village suburb, less than a 40-minute drive to the city.
8. Glen Ellyn
Glen Ellyn is known for its landscape, featuring 29 parks near residential neighborhoods. It was voted as the Best Suburbs to Live in Illinois in 2024 by Niche for its top-ranking school districts. There’s also a historic downtown area for a city-like living experience with award-winning restaurants, vintage boutiques, and outdoor festivals.
The average cost of rent in Glen Ellyn for the following apartment floor plans is:
•Studio: $1,670 per month
•One-Bedroom: $1,637 per month
•Two-Bedroom: $2,044 per month
•Three-Bedroom: $2,200 per month
Located west of Chicago, Glen Ellyn is a village suburb, less than a 40-minute drive to the city.
9. Evanston
Evanston is higher on rent affordability, but its closer location to Chicago and landscape make it worth considering. It’s known for its lakefront living by the Lake Michigan shoreline and near the prestigious Northwestern University Evanston campus. There’s also a downtown Evanston area, featuring art galleries, seasonal events, and indie bookstores.
The average cost of rent in Evanston for the following apartment floor plans is:
•Studio: $1,713 per month
•One-Bedroom: $1,912 per month
•Two-Bedroom: $2,548 per month
•Three-Bedroom: $3,677 per month
Located north of Chicago, Evanston is one of the closest lakeside suburbs and is around a 30-minute drive to the city.
10. Naperville
Naperville has a higher average rent, but it’s an award-winning suburb. It recently ranked first as the 2024 Best Cities to Live in America for its tech job opportunities, healthcare, agriculture, public education, and cultural attractions. Downtown Naperville was also voted as one of the nation’s best suburban downtowns, featuring hundreds of national retailers, independent boutiques, and local dining.Â
The average cost of rent in Naperville for the following apartment floor plans is:
•Studio: $1,771 per month
•One-Bedroom: $1,826 per month
•Two-Bedroom: $2,238 per month
•Three-Bedroom: $3,006 per month
Located southwest of Chicago, Naperville is a highly rated suburb and a 45-minute drive from the city.
Affordable Chicago Suburbs Apartment for Rent With TLC Management Co.
Searching for affordable apartments in the Chicago suburbs? At TLC Management Co., we have over 30 properties in Chicagoland. We have the local expertise to find you the perfect place to live within your means. As building owners and property managers, we bring a premium rental experience for our residents.Â
Our apartments feature diverse and convenient amenities for various lifestyles, including:
•No security deposit required and flexible lease conditions on select properties
•Resort-style swimming pools, hot tubs, and tree-lined walking trails
•Noise-reduced construction, nine-foot ceilings, in-unit washer/dryers, and custom walk-in closets
Ready to start your search?
Browse our Chicago suburban apartments or contact us at info@chicagorentals.com to schedule your tour today!
