Best Places to Buy Rental Property in Illinois (2026)
We ranked all 34 Illinois counties that have both a median home price and a median rent, ordered by the cap rate a median-priced rental would produce. McDonough County leads at 7.2%, with a median price of $99,184.
Illinois counties ranked by cap rate
| # | Market | Cap rate | Median price | Median rent | Cash flow | Analyze |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | McDonough County, IL | 7.2% | $99,184 | $919 | $77 | Run numbers |
| 2 | Vermilion County, IL | 6.5% | $105,054 | $869 | $14 | Run numbers |
| 3 | Macon County, IL | 6.2% | $127,195 | $1,003 | -$15 | Run numbers |
| 4 | Saint Clair County, IL | 5.8% | $181,995 | $1,358 | -$71 | Run numbers |
| 5 | Peoria County, IL | 5.7% | $166,664 | $1,217 | -$83 | Run numbers |
| 6 | Knox County, IL | 5.5% | $120,012 | $853 | -$75 | Run numbers |
| 7 | Adams County, IL | 5.3% | $189,629 | $1,288 | -$157 | Run numbers |
| 8 | Cook County, IL | 5.3% | $344,339 | $2,322 | -$296 | Run numbers |
| 9 | Williamson County, IL | 5.2% | $159,235 | $1,060 | -$146 | Run numbers |
| 10 | Will County, IL | 4.9% | $379,299 | $2,376 | -$444 | Run numbers |
| 11 | Jefferson County, IL | 4.8% | $148,135 | $918 | -$180 | Run numbers |
| 12 | Kankakee County, IL | 4.8% | $228,870 | $1,410 | -$284 | Run numbers |
| 13 | La Salle County, IL | 4.8% | $197,897 | $1,208 | -$252 | Run numbers |
| 14 | Sangamon County, IL | 4.6% | $201,554 | $1,198 | -$278 | Run numbers |
| 15 | Madison County, IL | 4.6% | $200,352 | $1,185 | -$280 | Run numbers |
| 16 | Stephenson County, IL | 4.6% | $161,884 | $954 | -$228 | Run numbers |
| 17 | Lee County, IL | 4.6% | $188,791 | $1,112 | -$267 | Run numbers |
| 18 | Winnebago County, IL | 4.6% | $213,138 | $1,255 | -$301 | Run numbers |
| 19 | Kendall County, IL | 4.6% | $399,731 | $2,353 | -$566 | Run numbers |
| 20 | Rock Island County, IL | 4.5% | $161,018 | $934 | -$237 | Run numbers |
| 21 | Lake County, IL | 4.4% | $401,229 | $2,242 | -$646 | Run numbers |
| 22 | Champaign County, IL | 4.3% | $242,111 | $1,343 | -$396 | Run numbers |
| 23 | Kane County, IL | 4.2% | $387,210 | $2,102 | -$663 | Run numbers |
| 24 | Whiteside County, IL | 4.2% | $150,218 | $817 | -$257 | Run numbers |
| 25 | McHenry County, IL | 4.2% | $372,372 | $1,994 | -$656 | Run numbers |
| 26 | Tazewell County, IL | 4.1% | $192,627 | $1,023 | -$345 | Run numbers |
| 27 | Jackson County, IL | 4.1% | $134,847 | $714 | -$243 | Run numbers |
| 28 | Coles County, IL | 4.0% | $147,276 | $763 | -$276 | Run numbers |
| 29 | McLean County, IL | 3.9% | $262,590 | $1,317 | -$521 | Run numbers |
| 30 | Ogle County, IL | 3.9% | $231,798 | $1,150 | -$468 | Run numbers |
| 31 | Clinton County, IL | 3.8% | $226,277 | $1,087 | -$480 | Run numbers |
| 32 | DuPage County, IL | 3.7% | $446,623 | $2,137 | -$952 | Run numbers |
| 33 | DeKalb County, IL | 3.6% | $303,352 | $1,421 | -$667 | Run numbers |
| 34 | Grundy County, IL | 3.3% | $326,662 | $1,385 | -$812 | Run numbers |
Looking for every county in the state, including those without rent data? Browse the full Illinois market directory.
How this ranking is calculated
We scored 34 counties in Illinois and ranked them by capitalization rate, calculated as annual net operating income divided by median home price. Markets without both a median home price and a median rent are excluded, because cash flow cannot be estimated without both.
Every figure assumes a median-priced home rented at the local median rent, financed with 20 percent down on a 30-year loan at 6.85%, with closing costs at 3 percent of price and operating costs at 35 percent of rent. Operating costs cover taxes, insurance, maintenance, vacancy, and management.
These are modeled estimates for comparing markets, not quotes on a specific property. A real deal turns on the individual property, its condition, and the actual rent it can command. Run any market that interests you through the calculator with real numbers before you make an offer.
National rankings
Compare Illinois against the rest of the country.
Best Cash Flow Markets for Rental Property
US counties ranked by estimated monthly cash flow on a median-priced rental, after mortgage and operating costs.
Highest Cap Rate Markets for Rental Property
US counties ranked by estimated cap rate on a median-priced rental, using local median rent and a 35 percent operating cost assumption.
Best Rental Markets Under $200,000
US counties with a median home price under $200,000, ranked by estimated cap rate on a median-priced rental.
Cheapest Markets With Positive Cash Flow
The lowest-priced US counties where a median-priced rental still covers its mortgage and operating costs.
Best Appreciation Markets for Real Estate Investors
US counties ranked by appreciation score, blending recent home price growth with the risk of an overheated market.
Best Overall Real Estate Markets to Invest In
US counties ranked by overall investment score, blending cash flow, appreciation, stability, and affordability.
Other states
States with fewer than 5 counties reporting both price and rent are omitted, because a ranking that short would not be meaningful.
Run the numbers on a Illinois property
Start from McDonough County median values and replace them with a real listing price and rent to see whether the deal actually works.