Rental Investing in Chicago, IL
2026 Market Data & Investment Analysis
Gross Yield
6.6%
Annual rent / price
Median Home Price
$290,000
As of 2026-Q1
Median Monthly Rent
$1,600
Per month
Population
2,664,452
-0.5% / yr (5y avg)
Calculate Your Return in Chicago
Pre-filled with Chicago's median values. Adjust to match your specific property.
Property Details
Total acquisition cost before taxes
HOA, insurance, property management
% of time the property is empty
% of purchase price (e.g. 2% = 2)
Rule of thumb: 1% of purchase price/yr
Results
Gross Rental Yield
6.62%
Net Rental Yield
4.46%
Cap Rate
4.46%
Monthly Cash Flow
$1,078.33
Annual Cash Flow
$12,940.00
Market Overview
Median Home Price — 5-Year Trend
Median Monthly Rent — 5-Year Trend
Chicago provides solid rental yields of 6.6%, in line with healthy investment market benchmarks.
Declining population of 0.5% per year may pose risks to long-term rental demand. Investors should focus on established neighborhoods with stable tenant bases.
The vacancy rate of 7.8% is healthy, indicating strong rental demand and limited downtime between tenants.
Investment Profile
Chicago is a cash flow-focused market where high rental yields can generate strong monthly income. Lower population growth means price appreciation may be limited, making this primarily an income play.
✓ Strengths
- •High gross yield of 6.6% supports strong monthly cash flow
- •Lower entry prices relative to rents reduce upfront capital needed
- •Income-driven returns are less dependent on market timing
! Risks
- •Limited price appreciation potential reduces total return
- •Declining population may increase vacancy risk over time
Key Metrics
How Chicago Compares
Chicago vs Milwaukee: 0.5 percentage point difference in gross yield.
| City | Median Price | Median Rent | Gross Yield | Pop. Growth |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Milwaukee, WI | $185,000 | $1,100 | 7.1% | -0.4% |
| Indianapolis, IN | $235,000 | $1,300 | 6.6% | +0.8% |
| Detroit, MI | $95,000 | $950 | 12% | -0.9% |
| St. Louis, MO | $175,000 | $1,100 | 7.5% | -0.8% |
| Columbus, OH | $250,000 | $1,350 | 6.5% | +1.1% |
Frequently Asked Questions
Is rental investing profitable in Chicago?▾
What is the average rental yield in Chicago?▾
How does Chicago compare to Milwaukee for investors?▾
Ready to Analyse a Specific Property in Chicago?
Use our free rental yield calculator to model any property — not just the median.
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Data source: Zillow Research / U.S. Census Bureau. Last updated: 2026-Q1. This information is for educational purposes only and does not constitute investment advice.