
Cheap Homes for Rent in Chicago, IL from $400 (875 Rentals)
Search the lowest-cost Homes available for rent right now in Chicago.


12842 Wood St

3434 S Wallace St, Unit B

8805 S Muskegon Ave

4236 N Ozark Ave

8109 S King Dr

254 W 31st St

6903 S Paxton Ave

7353 S Kenwood Ave, Unit 2nd floor

7720 S Marquette Ave
The Windy City Price Tag: Your Complete Guide to the Cost of Living in Chicago
Chicago may cost more than the national average, but with the right neighborhood, a smart transit strategy, and a few local insider tips, living well in the Windy City is more achievable than you might think. Our local expert breaks down everything from rent and groceries to transportation and healthcare so you can plan your move with confidence.

4911 Homerlee Ave

4851 S Ashland Ave, Unit 3R

5304 S New England Ave

342 141st St

1008 W 143rd St

3411 S Ashland Ave, Unit B

5417 N Kenmore Ave, Unit 207

728 N Pine Ave

6144 S Indiana Ave

4700 N Racine Ave, Unit 308
Rent According to Income: A Look at Income-Restricted Rentals
Find income-restricted rentals and housing subsidies. Explore government programs designed to help low-income families secure stable, affordable housing.

7444 S Langley Ave

2779 N Milwaukee Ave, Unit 108

3335 W Diversey Ave, Unit 801
4735 N Beacon St, Unit 310

6912 N Ashland Ave, Unit 103

1540 Steiber St

2666 E 77th St, Unit 1

1619 W Morse Ave, Unit 208

7068 N Sheridan Rd, Unit 1G

826 S Austin Blvd
Best Places to Live Near Chicago: 5 Cities That Keep the Windy City Accessible
Looking for a rental near Chicago? These five cities offer excellent options! From small-town charm to excellent business options, you can't go wrong!

3723 W Grand Ave, Unit 1

2648 E 78th St, Unit 4

348-58 W 74Th St, Unit 352-1W

3258 Maple Ave, Unit BH

348 Pulaski Rd

2700 W Albion Ave

12550 Fairview Ave, Unit 2-2M

7320 S Vincennes Ave

4621 S Ashland Ave

13943 S State St
Chicago Relocation 101: Mastering Utilities, Registration, and the CTA
Moving to Chicago? This essential relocation guide offers a complete checklist for new residents, covering finding the right neighborhood, setting up utilities (ComEd, People’s Gas), and mastering high-rise moving logistics and vehicle registration.

917 W Eastwood Ave, Unit 307

7337 S South Shore Dr

112 W 113th Pl

4844 W Wrightwood Ave, Unit D2

4526 N Sheridan Rd, Unit 219

5417 N Kenmore Ave, Unit 405

1145 W Morse Ave

5647 W Madison St

203 W 154th St

3244-46 N Pulaski, Unit 14
Renters Insurance 101: What It Is, What It Covers, and Why You Need It
From theft to fire to water damage, the unexpected can happen to any renter. Discover why renters insurance is one of the smartest and most affordable investments you can make as a tenant.
Chicago, IL Local Guide

How much does it cost to rent a home in Chicago?
| Bedroom | Average Rent | Cheapest Rent | Highest Rent |
|---|---|---|---|
| Chicago 2 Bedroom Homes for Rent | $2,807 | $550 | $10,000+ |
| Chicago 3 Bedroom Homes for Rent | $3,520 | $700 | $10,000+ |
| Chicago 4 Bedroom Homes for Rent | $4,058 | $1,350 | $10,000+ |
| Chicago 5 Bedroom Homes for Rent | $6,717 | $2,200 | $10,000+ |
| Chicago 6 Bedroom Homes for Rent | $5,381 | $2,500 | $10,000+ |
| Chicago 7 Bedroom Homes for Rent | $5,610 | $3,300 | $10,000+ |
Browse Top Homes for Rent in Chicago
Explore Chicago
Chicago, IL Local Guide
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Cheapest Neighborhoods for Apartments in Chicago, IL
Pricing Updated: 09/09/2026Current apartment rentals in the Chicago, IL area range in price from $200 to $40,000 with an overall median price of $2,491. The three Chicago neighborhoods with the lowest median rent pricing are West Calumet at $1,175, Liverpool at $1,300, and Indiana Harbor at $1,350. Here is today’s list of the top 10 neighborhoods with the lowest median pricing for Chicago Apartments for rent:
| Neighborhood | Median Price | Min Price | Available Units |
|---|---|---|---|
| West Calumet | $1,175 | $975 | 4 |
| Liverpool | $1,300 | $795 | 31 |
| Indiana Harbor | $1,350 | $800 | 3 |
| Brinkmans | $1,360 | $925 | 8 |
| Downtown Michigan City | $1,360 | $925 | 8 |
| Edgewood | $1,360 | $925 | 8 |
| Trail Creek | $1,360 | $925 | 8 |
| Village Green | $1,360 | $925 | 8 |
| Meadow Estates | $1,370 | $1,150 | 14 |
| Roxana | $1,372 | $975 | 4 |
Cheapest Available Chicago Apartments for Rent
 The cheapest available apartment rental in Chicago, IL is a 4 Beds unit found at Coleman Place At Legends South in the Armour Square neighborhood priced from $170. West Haven Park II - B in the Little Italy neighborhood has the second lowest priced unit, which is a 4 Beds apartment currently listed from $192. Here is today’s list of the most affordable Chicago apartments for rent:
| Apartment Listing | Model Name | Bed/Bath | Priced From |
|---|---|---|---|
| Coleman Place At Legends South | The Wells | 4BR,2BA | $170 |
| West Haven Park II - B | 4 Bedroom | 4BR,2BA | $192 |
| Westhaven Park II - A | 4 Bedroom | 4BR,2BA | $239 |
| Westhaven Park II - C | 3 Bedroom | 3BR,1BA | $268 |
| Highlands Tudor Manor - 55+ Community | Studio | Studio,1BA | $700 |
| 6246 S. King Dr. | Efficiencies | Studio,1BA | $710 |
| 5445 Ingleside By 3L Living | Large Co-Living Single Room | Studio,1BA | $712 |
| 1155 W 83rd St | Studio | Studio,1BA | $720 |
| 5748 Blackstone By 3L Living | No Kitchenette with Shared Bathroom | Studio,1BA | $726 |
| 8001 S Ellis | Studio Apartment | Studio,1BA | $740 |
Best Value Apartments for Rent in Chicago, IL
As of September 09, 2026 the best value apartment in the Chicago area is the $0.48 price per square foot 3712 N Racine Ave Model at 3712 N Racine Ave, Unit # 01 in the in the Lakeview neighborhood starting from $4,800. The second greatest value Chicago apartment is the 1459 N Milwaukee Ave Model at 1459 N Milwaukee Ave, Unit 2A starting at $3,300 with a $0.33 price per square foot in the West Park neighborhood. Here is today’s list of the best values for Chicago apartments based on price per square foot:
| Apartment Listing | Model Name | Bed/Bath | Price Per Sq.Ft. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 3712 N Racine Ave, Unit # 01 | 3712 N Racine Ave | 4BR,2BA | $0.48 |
| 1459 N Milwaukee Ave, Unit 2A | 1459 N Milwaukee Ave | 2BR,2BA | $0.33 |
| 5030 W School St, Unit Apt | 5030 W School St | 2BR,1BA | $0.16 |
| 10219 S Racine Ave, Unit Unit 1 | 10219 S Racine Ave | 2BR,1BA | $0.51 |
| 7845 S Kingston Ave, Unit 3 | 7845 S Kingston Ave | 3BR,2BA | $0.53 |
| 3728 W 57th Plz, Unit 2 | 3728 W 57th Plz | 3BR,1BA | $0.63 |
| 1119 N Harding Ave, Unit 2nd floor | 1119 N Harding Ave | 2BR,1BA | $0.59 |
| 7809 S Marshfield Ave, Unit 7809 South Marshfield #1 | 7809 S Marshfield Ave | 2BR,1BA | $0.56 |
| 6437 N Glenwood Ave | 6437 N Glenwood Ave | 5BR,2BA | $0.43 |
| Westhaven Park II - A | 3 Bedroom | 3BR,1BA | $0.15 |
Don't Settle: How to Negotiate Your Apartment Lease and Save Money
Discover the insider tips from an attorney and real estate agent on how to negotiate your next apartment lease. Find out what's on the table and what's not, so you can save money and get the best terms possible.
Read ArticleBest Neighborhoods to Rent in Near Chicago's Top Employers: A Guide for Renters
A Local Expert's Guide to The 10 Best Chicago Neighborhoods near Major Local Employers. Find your perfect Chicago, IL apartment, condo, or rental home today at ApartmentHomeLiving.com
Read ArticleNavigating the Rental Market: Tips for First-Time Renters
Entering the rental market? Learn these simple tips and strategies to avoid common pitfalls and make confident choices. Rent with peace of mind.
Read ArticleA Local Expert's Top Student Friendly Neighborhoods to Rent Near Colleges in Chicago
A Local Expert's guide to the Best Student Friendly Neighborhoods Near Colleges in the Chicago, IL metro area for affordable living. Find your perfect Chicago Student apartment, condo, or rental home today at ApartmentHomeliving.com
Read ArticleReal Estate and Rental Term Glossary | ApartmentHomeLiving.com Renter University
From the letter A all the way to the letter Z, the Real Estate and Rental Term Glossary from the content team at ApartmentHomeLiving.com provides our visitors and shoppers with a little clarity and helpful guidance in navigating the real estate world through definitions and explainers for the top subjects and terms that someone may come across during the leasing, buying, or selling process.
Read ArticleQuick Rent Budget Calculator
How much rent can you afford?
The common "Rule of Thumb" is that rent should be no more than 30% of your income. How much is that? Enter your monthly income and click "Calculate My Budget" to find out.
Remember the 3 Rules of Real Estate:Location, Location, Location!
Explore Chicago, IL Rentals by Map
See the most popular apartments and homes in Chicago, IL
Chicago, IL Area Reviews
Nicole • 4+ years in Chicago
April 10, 2026Big city challenges with traffic but also provides the amenities of the city you can't find elsewhere
Frequently Asked Questions about Chicago
What type of rentals are currently available in Chicago?
There are currently 24181 Apartments for Rent in Chicago, IL with pricing that ranges from $600 to $43,181. There are also 4920 Single Family Homes for rent, Condos, and Townhome rentals currently available in Chicago ranging from $400 to $40,000.
What is the current price range for Rental Homes in Chicago?
Today's rental pricing for Homes for Rent, Condos and Townhomes in Chicago ranges from $400 to $40,000 with an average monthly rent of $2,798.
How much are larger Three and Four Bedroom Rentals in Chicago?
For those who are looking for larger living arrangements, Three Bedroom Apartments in Chicago range from $695 to $38,481, while Three Bedroom Homes, Condos, and Townhomes for rent range from $700 to $40,000. Four Bedroom Single-Family rentals are also available starting from $1,350 and Four Bedroom Apartments start at $1,025.
Expert Rental Resources
The rental experts at ApartmentHomeLiving.com provide you with top advice, tools, and tips for understanding the leasing process and finding the perfect rental. Here are a few helpful rental and leasing articles from our experts to guide you on your search.
Helpful Local Expert Guides

The Windy City Price Tag: Your Complete Guide to the Cost of Living in Chicago
Written by: Nicole Harms
When choosing a place to live, there are many things you must consider. Your employer, your shopping preferences, and even schools are all important to think about. Yet cost of living is also important to know and plan for.

Best Places to Live Near Chicago: 5 Cities That Keep the Windy City Accessible
Written by: Nicole Harms
I’m Nicole, you’re ApartmentHomeLiving.com Local Expert for Chicago. There’s no denying I love the Windy City. Yet there’s also no denying that rental homes in Chicago can be pricy, small, and hard to find.

Chicago Relocation 101: Mastering Utilities, Registration, and the CTA
Written by: Nicole Harms
Moving to a new city is always an exciting time, especially one as vibrant and diverse as Chicago. With world-class museums, a breathtaking lakefront, and numerous employment opportunities, there’s much to love about this city.

Explore the Windy City (But Watch for Falling Ice) - An Insider's Guide to Renting in Chicago
Written by: Nicole Harms
From Lake Shore Drive to the O’Hare Airport, the city of Chicago is a study in diversity, resilience, and culture.
Articles, How-To's, and Tips

Rent According to Income: A Look at Income-Restricted Rentals
Written by: Robin Stewart
The idea of affordable housing can be subjective. Every individual is in a different place financially and vocationally. What one may easily afford could be a struggle for someone else.

Exploring Rental Options: Apartments, Townhomes, and Lofts - Oh My!
Written by: Robin Stewart
Where do you see yourself? When you think of home, sweet home, are you in a 3/2 apartment? Dreaming of a tall townhome? Maybe an industrial loft heavy on cool vibes is on your visioning board.

Practical Tips for Renters: How to Identify a Great Rental and Avoid Red Flags
Written by: Robin Stewart
Renters want to find a great apartment, the right place for them, one that checks all the boxes of location, rental cost, amenities, safety, and more.

First Apartment Regrets: Real Renters Share What They'd Do Differently
Written by: Robin Stewart
Hindsight is 20/20. Live and Learn. With age comes wisdom. We’re familiar with all those expressions, and all of them apply to lessons first-time renters learn.