Key Economic Benchmarks
Median Household Income
$110,416$9,201 per month · U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-YearFair market rent & 30% rule in Lake County, IL
Official HUD Fair Market Rents evaluated against local household income benchmarks.
2026 HUD Fair Market Rent Schedule: Lake County, IL
Official FY2026 HUD Fair Market Rents for Chicago-Joliet-Naperville, IL HUD Metro FMR Area. Under the federal 30% housing affordability standard, housing costs are sustainable when they consume 30% or less of gross household income.
| Unit Size | Monthly Rent | Annual Rent | 30% Rule Min. Income | % of Median Income |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Studio / Efficiency | $1,480 | $17,760 | $59,200 | 16.1% |
| 1-Bedroom Apartment | $1,581 | $18,972 | $63,240 | 17.2% |
| 2-Bedroom ApartmentBenchmark | $1,781 | $21,372 | $71,240 | 19.4% |
| 3-Bedroom Home | $2,294 | $27,528 | $91,760 | 24.9% |
| 4-Bedroom Home | $2,653 | $31,836 | $106,120 | 28.8% |
50/30/20 Living Budget in Lake County, IL
Based on the local median household income of $110,416/year ($9,201/month), here is how a balanced budget allocates expenses:
Take-Home Pay & Tax Explorer in Illinois
Explore net income after federal income tax, FICA, and Illinois state income tax based on the local median baseline.
Related Regional & Financial Profiles
Compare earnings and living costs across Illinois with official federal datasets:
Frequently Asked Questions About Living in Lake County, IL
What is the median household income in Lake County, IL?
According to the latest U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-Year survey, the median household income in Lake County, IL is $110,416 per year (approximately $9,201 per month).
What is the average rent in Lake County, IL?
According to HUD Fair Market Rent (FMR) benchmarks for 2026, standard monthly rents in Lake County, IL are $1,480 for a studio, $1,581 for 1 bedroom, $1,781 for 2 bedrooms, $2,294 for 3 bedrooms, and $2,653 for 4 bedrooms.
How does the cost of living in Lake County, IL compare to the national average?
Based on the Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA) Regional Price Parity index, the general price level in Lake County, IL is 103.6 (3.6% higher than the U.S. national baseline of 100.0).
How much do you need to earn to comfortably afford rent in Lake County, IL?
Under the standard 30% housing affordability standard, renting a median 2-bedroom home ($1,781/month) in Lake County, IL requires a minimum gross household income of $71,240 per year ($5,937 per month).
What is a balanced 50/30/20 monthly budget in Lake County, IL?
For a typical household earning the median income of $110,416/year ($9,201/month) in Lake County, IL, a balanced 50/30/20 budget allocates $4,601/month to essential needs (rent, utilities, groceries), $2,760/month to discretionary spending, and $1,840/month to savings and debt repayment.
What are typical electricity and utility costs in Lake County, IL?
Residential electricity rates in Illinois average 19.9¢ per kWh according to the U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA). For an average home using 900 kWh per month, the estimated electric bill is approximately $179 per month.