The Chicago metro is home to 9,359,555 people (down 1.9% over five years), with a median household income of $88,850. Typical rent of $2,163/month works out to 29.2% of the median household income — near the 30% affordability threshold (Census ACS + Zillow, September 2026).
The share of Chicago's workforce by sector — the base of tenant demand:
| Sector | % of workforce |
|---|---|
| Education & health care | 22.6% |
| Professional & management | 14.4% |
| Manufacturing | 11.3% |
| Retail trade | 10.1% |
| Arts, food & hospitality | 8.4% |
Education & health care is the metro's largest employment base — sectors like education and health care are recession-resilient anchors for rental demand.
Rents at 29.2% of median income leave moderate headroom; underwrite rent growth conservatively. Market pricing, yields and the Star Score live on the Chicago market page; run a deal in the calculator.
At the 30%-of-income affordability rule, typical rent of $2,163/month suggests a household income around $87,000/year. The metro's median household income is $88,850.
By workforce share: Education & health care (22.6%), Professional & management (14.4%), Manufacturing (11.3%) (Census ACS 5-year).