Want to rent an apartment in the Windy City and are unsure where to begin? With many renter-friendly boroughs, floorplans, and amenities in a major metro to consider, knowing where to find Chicago apartments online can be challenging.
However, with many websites available, you also want a reliable resource. You don’t want to be in a position where you see the perfect apartment only to discover it’s suddenly unavailable or has inaccurate property details when you visit because the listing wasn’t updated.Â
Below, we’ll break down the best apartment rental sites in Chicago to streamline your search.
Steps to Take Before Apartment Hunting in Chicago Online
Before you begin finding an apartment in Chicago online, decide on the type of property you would want to live in first. Do you prefer a studio or loft-style floorplan? What are the must-have and nice-to-have amenities, like nearby public transit or in-unit laundry? Do you know how much rent you can afford in the city?
Understanding these key details helps refine your search when browsing apartment rental sites in Chicago. Once you determine everything you’ve been looking for, it’s time to start your search.
5 Best Websites to Find Apartments in Chicago
Here are our top five recommendations on where to find Chicago apartments online and how to use their features to make it easier.
1. ChicagoRentals.com
Whether you’re looking to live in the heart of Chicago or its most popular suburban neighborhoods, Chicago Rentals is your go-to resource. It has over 30 Chicagoland apartment properties that are owned and managed by the same company, offering residents an easier renting experience.
Their website separates its listings by city and suburban areas with their corresponding properties. They even have an interactive map and several filters, including neighborhood, number of bedrooms, and budget range, to drill down your search.Â
Chicago Rentals has a diverse range of apartments and amenities, including:
•No security deposit requirements and flexible lease terms on select properties
•Studio to three-bedroom floorplans with pet-friendly policies
•Traditional complexes, high-rise buildings, and townhouse-style apartmentsÂ
If you don’t know where to find Chicago apartments online, Chicago Rentals has top-notch local expertise because they only offer apartment rentals in the Chicagoland area.
2. Apartments.com
Credit: Apartments.com
You’ve likely used or know about Apartments.com. It’s been a solid resource for apartment seekers nationwide for a long time.Â
The website has an extensive list of search filters, including:
•Specialty Housing: Student, senior, military, corporate, low-income/income-restricted, and short-term
•Popular Amenities: Utilities included, in-unit laundry, gated community, pool, etc.Â
•Popular Apartment Amenities: Balcony, hardwood floors, yard, etc.Â
•Community Amenities: Elevator, playground, EV charging, etc.
•Home Styles: Duplex, new construction, and fewer than 50 units
•Property Details: Move-in date, number of bedrooms and bathrooms, square footage, pet policy, price range, and review rating
They also have an option to display apartments that have move-in specials, are currently accepting online applications, are available for rent by owner, and have rooms for rent. If you prefer to search independently, they even have a keyword filter to find specific amenities you want, like a fireplace or electric oven.Â
Apartments.com even shares additional information on Chicago’s neighborhoods with recommendations based on what renters value. From easy transportation access to nearby colleges and highlights of different boroughs, you can research any area easily before you start touring places.
3. RentCafe.com
Credit: RentCafe
Another reliable apartment locator in Chicago is RentCafe. It’s been a go-to platform for finding places to rent across the U.S.Â
The website has an interactive map with several search filters, including:
•Apartment Amenities: Large closets, wheelchair access, dishwasher, etc.Â
•Community Amenities: Covered parking, high-speed internet, controlled access, etc.Â
•Property Details: Number of bedrooms/bathrooms, property rating, pet policy, etc.
RentCafe also has unique filters, like rent specials and available for rent now, to help save you time and money.
4. ApartmentList.com
Credit: Apartment List
Before you begin your search, ApartmentList.com asks you questions first to find you the best Chicago apartments based on your answers. It’s like a questionnaire that realtors will ask you, but you can do it yourself online.
They’ll ask you the following questions:
•How many bedrooms do you need?
•What’s your budget?
•Where are you looking to move?
•Any Chicago neighborhoods in particular?
•Where do you go to work or school? (Plus an address field to show how far the commute is from there)
•What do you prefer for laundry? (on-site, in-unit, or washer/dryer connections)
•What do you prefer for parking? (garage or public)
•What other features do you want? (hardwood floors, dishwasher, A/C, patio/balcony, pool, or gym)
•What pets do you have? (cat or dog)
•What do you care most about? (getting all my features, staying in the location I want, having the cheapest price)
•When do you want to move? How important is the move-in date? (just looking, no hurry, flexible, not flexible)
•What is the lease length you’re looking for? Are you signing it with anyone else?
•What is your monthly household income before taxes?
You can always skip these questions if you prefer, but completing them can help you get personalized apartment matches. That way, you know the properties listed give you everything you want, prefer, and that’s within your budget.Â
5. VeryApt.com
Credit: VeryApt
If you need to commute throughout the city for work or college, VeryApt has dedicated search filters to ensure you move into an apartment that meets your needs. From families with children to students and working professionals, they locate properties based on your exact lifestyle.
They also have standard apartment search filters like:
•Room type
•Transportation (walking, public transit, bike, and car)
•Amenities (in-unit laundry, modern kitchens, high ceilings, lots of sunlight, hardwood floors, etc.)
•Price range
•Nearby (quiet neighborhood, restaurants/bars, parks/running trails, grocery stores, etc.)
VeryApt even has notes, like noisy neighborhoods, and the reasons why they recommend specific apartments to you, like close distance to college campuses, with the exact mileage. It acts like a personalized online realtor, which is perfect for finding apartments in Chicago online.
Apartment Hunting in Chicago Made Easy: Find Your Perfect Place in the Windy City
Now that you know the best resources on where to find Chicago apartments, the next step is to start touring. Since 1996, TLC Management Co. has been serving the Chicagoland area with unique apartment properties in the most sought-after city and suburban neighborhoods.Â
From oversized studios in Evanston near the prestigious Northwestern University to luxury high-rise buildings in Mount Prospect, your dream Chicagoland apartment awaits.Â
Browse our Chicago and suburban properties or contact us at info@chicagorentals.com for expert advice on the best place to live today!
